International Women's Day 2025

 

 International Women's Day is 8th March, and this year we want to shine a spotlight on some of the incredible female suppliers to Fortnum's who we have the privilege of working with. Some we have worked with for years, decades even, and others we are just beginning our journey with. Each of these women has the most marvellous stories rooted in everything from family through to sustainability, and at the heart of each of them is the most wonderful wares crafted from their skill, creativity, dedication and passion. 

 

 

Here, you can read a few of their stories...

Oonagh and Jenny Simms, sisters and founders of The Marshmallowist, have a flair for the adventurous, which is something that’s long been at the heart of Fortnum’s, and is maybe why we love this duo and their pillowy marshmallow teacakes quite so much.  

Renowned for her intricate, hand-drawn illustrations that weave stories across history and continents, Sabina Savage's beautiful work is a true celebration of artistic skill and time-honoured craft.

From her studio in East London, every element of Sabina's work is considered, and rich with integrity: from the inspiration-gathering missions she makes to museums and galleries before starting a new collection, to the small, rough-hewn sketches which spark greater ideas, all the way through to the final illustrations and patient colouring process which brings her ideas to gloriously colourful life.

The results can be seen in her twice-yearly collections, which feature pieces that are exclusively designed, printed and finished by hand in England — and scarves which are unique to each and every corner, so every knotting promises a different flourish of colour and pattern.

Having celebrated their 50th anniversary, Lynne Sanders, founder of Cosmetics à la Carte has had a life in beauty that’s been quite remarkable. 

 

Growing up on a fruit farm in Kent, a young Lynne beat a path to London and the adventure it held. She was part of the very first Society of Cosmetic Scientists in 1969, and has been a pioneer of natural, gentle and effective ingredients and empowering women to look and feel their best, which has been and will always be a joy for Lynne.   

 

The enduring success Lynne’s had as a creative and commercial innovator is even more remarkable as she’s achieved it as an independent woman who has thrived in a market dominated by global giants.  

 

People used to call Cosmetics à la Carte London’s best kept secret, but the secret got out… and we’re rather glad it did. 

Gather Glass makes “glass for bold, joyful gatherings” - and if there’s anything Fortnum’s is famous for, it’s bringing joy, which explains why we’ve taken quite a shine to Gather Glass’s designs.

 

Gather Glass was founded by Phoebe Stubbs, glassmaker who has been blowing glass since she was 17 years old. Though self-described as a ‘maker at heart’, Phoebe originally studied Religion and Philosophy at university, before a chance glass-blowing class for her birthday inspired her to take a different path in life.

 

Gather Glass marries “contemporary colour and traditional craftsmanship”, and every piece is designed by Phoebe herself and handmade by her talented team in their hot glass London studio. Phoebe’s designs are characterised by tiny elements of historical glassware that are exaggerated with colour and form - a unique sense of whimsy that would be very much at home at Fortnum’s. 

For Anabela Chan, sustainability isn't just a part of her business: it's a central tenet of her creative process.

Renowned for merging science, art and environmentally conscious ways of working since founding Anabela Chan Joaillerie in 2013, Anabela's fine jewellery uses lab-cultivated gemstones; diamonds 'mined from the sky' with atmospheric carbon dioxide capture technology; natural pearls which help to regenerate coral reefs and ocean ecosystems; and precious metals which have been reimagined with recycled and refined aluminium from soda cans.

A true pioneer, Anabela's work challenges our preconceived notions of 'preciousness', by placing the future of the planet — and he importance of reducing our impact on the earth — at the heart of her business, and by doing so without ever compromising on the elegance and beauty of her work.