Glamour and stardom are sparkling brightly in Sunbury. Local entrepreneurs Euan McDonald and Lesley Silwood have just celebrated 10 years in business building their accessories company Buba.
It all started back on a beach in Goa where the couple met and it all fell into place. Euan had been sourcing, designing and selling jewellery at markets in Goa so had the contacts, and Lesley’s business and photography background offered complimentary skills. The couple has not looked back since and the arms of well-heeled celebs around the world are now embellished with bags from the Sunbury couple’s firm.
Buba London specialises in hand crafted, be-jewelled bags, jewellery and home ware. The couple are self-confessed magpies and when you see their creations you can tell. Big crystals, gold plaited chains, pearls and other semi-precious stones make your eyes pop. Designs may feature geometric, tribal or floral designs, Inspiration comes from both Goa and Ibiza where the couple often visit and the vibrancy of colours and the bold designs evoke sunshine and fun. Over the years designs have evolved from more fun and “hippy” to the sophisticated items available in the collections now.
Buba has all its products made in India where the tradition for handicraft, combined with the range and quality of materials make it a perfect centre for production. Products are sold all around the world. Buba’s products are all hand made so each piece is individually crafted. It is this exclusivity that appeals to the jet set. Clients include Nicole Scherzinger, Ladyhawke and Pria Kalidas (Mira in EastEnders, in case you don’t know!)
Although a global brand, Lesley and Euan are very much a local business. The couple live in Sunbury and have their office in Shepperton. They use local suppliers for graphics and their recent fashion shoot used a local girl from Woking as model. For the shoot, hair was done by Trend Salon in Church Square, Shepperton and make-up was by Space NK, Weybridge. Clothes used for the shoot were loaned by Lesley’s mother Barbara who deals in vintage pieces. I understand incidentally that the model for the next shoot has already been identified – a student from Sunbury, spotted at a roundabout and who has just the “look” Lesley was looking for. Watch this space!
It seems that the next generation is also keenly interested, with the couple’s two daughters attending the odd Fashion Week event. They can also be found doodling designs in the office in Shepperton from time to time. Growing up surrounded by glamorous handbags and shoes…it sounds like heaven!
Buba London
www.bubalondon.com
See website for current range, prices and stockists