Nissue #31: Donna Wilson, Designer.
My son goes to school in Sausalito, CA so sometimes I’m just hanging around the area waiting for pick-up. One such afternoon, I stumbled upon this nifty and neat home accessories store called Salty. That’s where I discovered the whimsical creatures of Donna Wilson.
Her crafty and colorful designs have led to collaborations with global brands like Hermès and Anthropologie, and I knew my family (me) had to have one. But not just the regular ones already in stock, but a 6-foot tall wolf, dressed like something out of a Wes Anderson film.
Working with Angela Johansen (the owner of Salty) plans were made for an original creation to be birthed in London (where Donna is based) and then shipped to “his” new home in Marin. If you come and visit, you too can meet Winston Chester Nadaraja, pictured below.
Nish: What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Donna: Hanging out in the garden, making, exploring, watching the sunlight through the trees, playing, creating, watching my seedlings grow into plants, watching my two sons play outside, being barefoot on the grass, the feeling when you get an idea and see it through into something original.
Nish: What was your worst job ever?
Donna: I’ve had jobs since I was about 15, and most of them were positive experiences, but there was one shop I worked in where I got bullied by another member of staff. I just remember her marching up to me and shouting at me in my break because I was using her cup! It was the first job I quit before I was supposed or expected to and I felt really bad letting them down, but also knew I didn’t want to be around those sort of people.
Nish: What was your first job ever?
Donna: I grew up in a rural part of Scotland, so a few of my school friends and I would work on a farm picking strawberries. I think I ate more than I picked for the farm, so there were some perks!
Nish: What was your best job ever?
Donna: I think it would be when I was a designer for a company called Tait & Style. They were based in the most amazing location, in an old school on the Scottish island of Orkney. I had to walk up a huge hill with views of the sea every day. It was so beautiful and I felt like I really had something to offer, which gave me confidence. I think it was more about the whole experience than the job - the connections with the people and being paid for my creativity felt good.
Nish: What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Donna: I’m not as assertive as I’d like to be sometimes! I’m too much of a pleaser I think, even with my kids. But maybe that’s ok.
Nish: What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Donna: Arrogance and snobbery.
Nish: What’s some advice you’d give to yourself at 23?
Donna: Be confident in yourself and stop worrying about things - you are exactly where you are supposed to be. At 23 I had just graduated from the Royal College of Art and started my company. When I think back now I was so full of energy and passion for it, but also very stressed out doing about 9 people’s jobs. I was so worried about it all disappearing that I worked like crazy. I would always have some creatures in my bag to sew even when I was going somewhere on the bus (I must have looked crazy!).
Nish: What is your greatest extravagance?
Donna: We recently got a giant hot tub in the garden! It feels like an indulgence but is soooo relaxing!
Nish: You have exclusive dinner reservations for 4, excluding family and close friends, who are the 3 people (alive, dead or imaginary) you’d invite?
Donna: I’m going for an all-woman party! Ilse Crawford, as she chose me for a design project on Fogo Island and I find her so inspiring, Bjork as I'd love to see what outfit she'd turn up in, and Rebel Wilson as she'd keep the conversation flowing and we'd all be in hysterics!
Nish: What is the theme song of your professional life?
Donna: Nick Drake, Pink Moon
Nish: What is your motto?
Donna: Life is an adventure.
Nish: What is something you’re really excited about right now?
Donna: My new sculptures, and furniture, which are created under the name of Abstract Assembly. It’s a bit of a creative indulgence for me…
End Interview.
If you enjoyed this nissue, you might also enjoy reading about Jonathan Rachman and Peter Smith, amongst others!
Fun one! Love your new addition. Win's a win!