Our Story

I founded Nana's Purls after a conversation with my husband about framing my Grandmother's scarf to put up in our house as I was too scared to wear it but didn't want it to be kept in a box. 

My Grandmother, Evelyn, passed away in 2021 and I was given her bright and colourful silk scarf that she wore nearly everyday to remind me of her. She was the most fashionable woman I've ever known and taught me that classic style will last for generations. Whenever I visited her we would go shopping and she taught me that good quality will last me a lifetime (she wasn't wrong I have pieces in my wardrobe that she brought me when I was a teenager and even have a cardigan that she brought my Mum when she was in her 20s!). If Evelyn was ever dressing up she would wear pearls, making this accessory the highlight of sophistication, elevating any outfit. I still believe this to be true and even wore my Mum's pearls on my wedding day, as my something borrowed, to really make me feel that bit extra special - something I'm sure my Grandmother would have approved of. 

This mix of quality lasting a life time and having an item that could enhance any outfit sparked the idea of Nana's Purls. I wanted to create pieces that would be worn and loved and eventually passed down to be worn and loved all over again - similar to Evelyn's scarf and pearls. However, fast fashion and the use of plastic fibres in modern fashion just didn't cut it for me when looking at what I wanted to make so I thought about how else I could go about making my pieces. 

Whilst I got my love of fashion from Evelyn my craft abilities came from my other Grandmother, Joan, who was a prolific knitter! I didn't get much time with Joan as she passed when I was only 11. Before she died she passed on her knitting skills and I even inherited all of her knitting needles (of which there are many). Over the years I have continued to knit and crochet and have filled in my wardrobe, and my friend's wardrobes, with handmade pieces. It dawned on me that some of my most cherished and re-worn items are ones I made. Then it hit me...the best pieces aren't just brought to be cherished and loved they should be made with the same care and attention. 

And so Nana's Purls was born! 

The name Nana's Purls came from two places:

1. I affectionately called my Grandmothers 'Big Nanny' and 'Little Nanny' - due to one being taller than the other. As such Nanny was shortened to Nana! 
2. Purls as a nod to the knitting craft and Evelyn's love of adding sophistication to an outfit with pearls. 

Our purpose at Nana's Purls is to create timeless, handcrafted pieces that reconnect people with slow fashion, quality craftsmanship and meaningful design. Pieces made to be worn, loved and passed down.

Our vision is to build a brand where thoughtful creation replaces mass production, where clothing is treasured rather than discarded and where every stich reflects care for people, craft and the planet.