Ready for Business: Start Up Workshop participant launches ‘Relics on Sea’

Entrepreneur Clare Hughes, owner of online clothing boutique Relics on Sea and now the unique addition to the Hastings high street, was able to bring her idea for accessible and sustainable alternative fashion to life by taking part in the interactive Ready for Business Start Up workshops delivered by Let’s Do Business Group under the CHART* programme

Until recently Clare had been operating ‘Relics on Sea’ solely as an online business and was working on establishing a client base, but she has now opened a physical space in Hastings Antique Warehouse, found in the heart of Hastings Old Town. The transition was spurred on from attending the ‘Ready for Business’ start up business workshops run by Let’s Do Business Group that helps budding entrepreneurs to develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to launch a successful business, such as refining a business idea, to marketing and managing finances.

Owner Clare was able to set her sights on her next steps in her business growth journey after completing the programme of sessions ran by expert business coach Lisa Young, making her able to produce a business plan outlining her goals and objectives. Her main inspiration for starting her journey was her own passion for vintage and sustainable fashion, saying:

“I wanted to open a styled space in the busy Old Town where women like me could drop in and try on a dress, blouse or jacket before buying. A lot of the items are vintage, so it really helps to see these items up close before buying. “I love the idea of a women being in the Relics On Sea shop and trying on a dress before a special event and feeling excited by her choice”

“In 2021, our modern society is very fast fashion focused with trends continually changing and mainstream consumers following along and frequently updating their wardrobes accordingly, but what about those whose taste is alternative to the trend?”

Clare Hughes spotted this opportunity in the market when browsing for clothing to satisfy her own sense of style, and the idea that she could fill that gap in the market grew.

“Your style is a talking point and an expression of who you are. When trying to find a particular style, like gothic for instance, I’ve always been disappointed with what was available to me as a thirty-something year old woman. Where was the grown-up fashion for an individual style?”

She used the knowledge gained from her BA in Fashion Photography at the London College of Fashion and her experience at several art galleries and museums including The Foundling Museum, London, to set about creating a space where shoppers can find something suitable for their style. Equipped with the skills she gained from taking part in a start-up business workshop, she was able to put her plan into action.

“If a woman wanted to buy an outfit either on the high street or online that reflects her personal style but that is underrepresented by mainstream taste, she may be forced to travel vast distances to find what she wants, and I wanted to bridge that gap” says Clare.

From here ‘Relics on Sea’ was born, offering affordable alternatives to mainstream choices. Designed to satisfy desires for rare and unique pieces, whether you are looking for a wedding dress, special occasion dress or just something unusual and sophisticated, ‘Relics on sea’ provides not only style inspiration but a second life for vintage & unusual design.

Clare told us:

“It’s my belief that we should buy what we love, and love what we wear. Instead of replacing items with a short lifespan, it’d be much better for our pockets and the environment to source quality items that can last, or have lasted, to be a staple in our wardrobe. Good clothes deserve a second life, and the environment deserves a second chance.”

“For anyone else thinking about taking those first scary steps in starting a business I can’t recommend this programme highly enough. Feeling confident in your ideas and putting them to the test is important, so taking part in the Ready for Business programme was really helpful and even fun!”

You can visit Relics On Sea online at www.relicsonsea.co.uk or drop in daily 10am - 5pm at Hastings Antique Warehouse, 54 High Street, Hasting TN34 3EN

Let’s Do Business Group wish Clare and ‘Relics on Sea’ all the best for the future.