October 01, 2014
DESIGNER KATE PASCOE SQUIRES
Every now and then a design business comes along with a deceptively simple product. It is possible that Kate & Kate might have produced for blankets what another company has done for rugs - made a stylish staple. The duo behind the business came to the idea almost by accident while visiting an international trade fair. The friends and sisters-in-law, with the same name, were impressed with the wares of a manufacturer that they came across and decided it would be a good fit for a creative venture that they were keen to do together. After discussing their ideas, they set about creating a cotton blanket that could be used for babies, and beyond. Kate Pascoe Squires, pictured right, is the Sydney-based part of the business. Kate Pascoe lives and works in Melbourne.
Which five words best describe you? Determined, loud, passionate, hungry, easily amused (sorry, that’s six!).
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I studied a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and went directly into a PR job. I worked with restaurants, chefs, food, wine, spirits… lots of events, parties and fun. After my second baby I had a real itch to do something creative, something tangible - and definitely something of my own. Kate and I were so lucky, we literally stumbled across the Kate & Kate business idea. Since that stumble, we’ve really just been running with it.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Allow yourself time to switch off. You are never going to get everything done, so you may as well have some down time along the way. Sometimes, emails can wait.
What’s your proudest career achievement? I just love seeing our product in magazine shoots. I’m old school PR and, to me, nothing beats seeing a Kate & Kate blanket in a gorgeous interiors layout. Beyond exciting.
What’s been your best decision? To start a business with my sister-in-law – working together, quite simply, rocks.
Who inspires you? I’m inspired by so much everyday. I really try to keep an open mind and see where things can take me. I try not to believe in dead ends… everything leads somewhere, right? In this way, I can really draw back on my experiences and use them for inspiration.
What are you passionate about? Food. And wine. And my kids.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Dave Grohl. Definitely.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? I need to get to New York – stat!
What are you reading? Burial rights by Hannah Kent.
images courtesy of kate & kate