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Article: ASCENO Meets - Whitney Hawkings

ASCENO Meets - Whitney Hawkings

ASCENO Meets - Whitney Hawkings


ASCENO MEETS

ASCENO MEETS

 

WHITNEY HAWKINGS

FLOWERBX FOUNDER

 

It is important to stimulate the brain and get creative which is very important to your overall health. Get back into painting, drawing, or any other hobbies suited for home whilst staying indoors.

 

 

It is important to stimulate the brain and get creative which is very important to your overall health. Get back into painting, drawing, or any other hobbies suited for home whilst staying indoors.

 

WHITNEY HAWKINGS

FLOWERBX FOUNDER



ASCENO MEETS...Flowerbx Founder Whitney Hawkings talks to ASCENO about Beyoncé, learning to fail fast, what she wished she'd known in her twenties and why she'll never shop on the high street again.


Styled by herself in ASCENO Essentials Collection

Interview by Steph Sleap


 

 

 

 

HOW I CAME UP WITH FLOWERBX.

The simplicity was definitely missing from the flower world and everyone was just outdoing each other with flowers upon flowers! The most beautiful way to consume flowers is the simplicity of a single stem in an elegant vase. It looks stunning!

 

I HAVE THREE KIDS SO MY FIRST HOUR OF THE DAY IS PRETTY CRAZY.

I love the idea of waking up and meditating, but my reality could not be farther from that! But my daughter who is 5 likes to come down to my bed for a cuddle before the alarm goes off so we usually have 15 minutes in bed before my day starts at 6am. It is chaotic but fun!

 

"My daughter likes to come down to my bed for a cuddle before the alarm goes off"


WHAT I HAVE LEARNT POST LOCKDOWN.

I used to be permanently exhausted but for the past two years that has totally changed. I used to be out 3 nights a week and home by midnight so you add that up and throw in a few cocktails and it's no wonder I was tired.

 

NEVER HIRE SOMEONE YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO HAVE DINNER WITH.

This was the best career advice that was given to Tom Ford which I loved! (Whitney worked for Tom Ford for 18-years). It is so true - you are spending so much time with these people so hiring people you generally like will make it so much better.

 

"Never hire someone you wouldn't want to have dinner with. This was the best career advice given to Tom Ford."

 


 

 

 

FAIL FAST.

There are so many ways we try to keep things going or keep people on who are not quite right. Especially as women, we are always trying to protect everyone's feelings but we should trust ourselves more. We launched Flowerbx in France and it didn't take off how we wanted it to and you know you sometimes just have to pull the bandaid off and move on!

 

I WISH WE KNOW HOW GREAT WE WERE IN OUR TWENTIES!

Your twenties are so full of self-doubt and so busy comparing yourself to everyone else and actually you are just awesome!

 

I AM ALWAYS IN AWE OF WOMEN WHO ARE NOT TRYING TOO HARD AND ARE REALLY COMFORTABLE IN THEIR OWN BODY.

Emilia Wickstead is my best friend and she is a great example of someone who is effortless. She can turn up to your house for dinner in a ballgown, flats and a ponytail and look so cool without trying too hard. Elizabeth Saltzman has that American ease - no make up, great smile and no cares.  

 


I WILL NEVER BUY ANYTHING FROM THE HIGH STREET AGAIN.

I won't buy anything that isn't total quality and that I can't keep for my daughter. I would rather buy one outfit every 5 years - if I am not going to wear it over 100 times and keep it for my daughter then I am not going to buy it!

 

"I won't buy anything that isn't totally quality and that I can't keep for my daughter."

 

FEMALE FOUNDERS ARE AMAZING.

I think what the ASCENO women are doing is really exciting. They have taken a traditional industry and made it really desirable and relevant. Especially with the need for comfort and small luxuries - it is super relevant.

 


 

 

 

 

WOMEN HAVING EACH OTHER'S BACK IS EMPOWERING.

There has been such a shift in how we support each other in business today and I think of those women who were mean or bitchy and thank goodness that culture has died. Being kind and nice is really paying off and now those women are winning! My friend Chrissie Rucker who founded The White Company is such a mentor. First of all she is a mother of 4 kids and she is so kind and soft spoken but this total powerhouse with an empire, so I am always looking up to her!

 

WHEN YOU'RE FEELING LOW IT'S GOOD TO HEAR 'KEEP GOING!'

I love the podcast 'How I Built This' and find it endlessly inspiring. I find it so reasurring to hear the moments when other entrepreneurs suffer times of rejection or self-doubt and thought 'oh this isn't going to work!' and then you realise they're taking about a global brand like Spanx or Dyson - it is reassuring when you're trying to build your brand.  

 

 


ALWAYS BEYONCÉ, ALWAYS.

I listen to her for every single run, I can never get enough. I am endlessly just motivated by her. She is power, she is femininity, she is everything. We should always be more like her, she is fearless.

 

"I listen to her for every single run, I can never get enough"

 

MY GO TO FASHION.

Is a simple white shirt with heels and it can take you from school through to dinner.

 

IN BED I WEAR...

Silk for sure.

 

Follow Whitney on Instagram @theflowerbx

Fran Hickman wearing brown luxury silk pyjama set

<br><br><br><br><br>CURATED BY

Fran Hickman


ASCENO MEETS...Flowerbx Founder Whitney Hawkings talks to ASCENO about Beyoncé, learning to fail fast, what she wished she'd known in her twenties and why she'll never shop on the high street again.

 

Styled by herself in ASCENO Essentials Collection

Interview by Steph Sleap



HOW I CAME UP WITH FLOWERBX.

The simplicity was definitely missing from the flower world and everyone was just outdoing each other with flowers upon flowers! The most beautiful way to consume flowers is the simplicity of a single stem in an elegant vase. It looks stunning!

 

I HAVE THREE KIDS SO MY FIRST HOUR OF THE DAY IS PRETTY CRAZY.

I love the idea of waking up and meditating, but my reality could not be farther from that! But my daughter who is 5 likes to come down to my bed for a cuddle before the alarm goes off so we usually have 15 minutes in bed before my day starts at 6am. It is chaotic but fun!

 

"My daughter likes to come down to my bed for a cuddle before the alarm goes off"



WHAT I HAVE LEARNT POST LOCKDOWN.

I used to be permanently exhausted but for the past two years that has totally changed. I used to be out 3 nights a week and home by midnight so you add that up and throw in a few cocktails and it's no wonder I was tired.

 

NEVER HIRE SOMEONE YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO HAVE DINNER WITH.

This was the best career advice that was given to Tom Ford which I loved! (Whitney worked for Tom Ford for 18-years). It is so true - you are spending so much time with these people so hiring people you generally like will make it so much better.

 

"Never hire someone you wouldn't want to have dinner with. This was the best career advice given to Tom Ford."

 

FAIL FAST.

There are so many ways we try to keep things going or keep people on who are not quite right. Especially as women, we are always trying to protect everyone's feelings but we should trust ourselves more. We launched Flowerbx in France and it didn't take off how we wanted it to and you know you sometimes just have to pull the bandaid off and move on!

 

I WISH WE KNOW HOW GREAT WE WERE IN OUR TWENTIES!

Your twenties are so full of self-doubt and so busy comparing yourself to everyone else and actually you are just awesome!

 



I AM ALWAYS IN AWE OF WOMEN WHO ARE NOT TRYING TOO HARD AND ARE REALLY COMFORTABLE IN THEIR OWN BODY.

Emilia Wickstead is my best friend and she is a great example of someone who is effortless. She can turn up to your house for dinner in a ballgown, flats and a ponytail and look so cool without trying too hard. Elizabeth Saltzman has that American ease - no make up, great smile and no cares.  

 

I WILL NEVER BUY ANYTHING FROM THE HIGH STREET AGAIN.

I won't buy anything that isn't total quality and that I can't keep for my daughter. I would rather buy one outfit every 5 years - if I am not going to wear it over 100 times and keep it for my daughter then I am not going to buy it!

 

"I won't buy anything that isn't totally quality and that I can't keep for my daughter."

 

FEMALE FOUNDERS ARE AMAZING.

I think what the ASCENO women are doing is really exciting. They have taken a traditional industry and made it really desirable and relevant. Especially with the need for comfort and small luxuries - it is super relevant.

 

WOMEN HAVING EACH OTHER'S BACK IS EMPOWERING.

There has been such a shift in how we support each other in business today and I think of those women who were mean or bitchy and thank goodness that culture has died. Being kind and nice is really paying off and now those women are winning! My friend Chrissie Rucker who founded The White Company is such a mentor. First of all she is a mother of 4 kids and she is so kind and soft spoken but this total powerhouse with an empire, so I am always looking up to her!

 



WHEN YOU'RE FEELING LOW IT'S GOOD TO HEAR 'KEEP GOING!'

I love the podcast 'How I Built This' and find it endlessly inspiring. I find it so reasurring to hear the moments when other entrepreneurs suffer times of rejection or self-doubt and thought 'oh this isn't going to work!' and then you realise they're taking about a global brand like Spanx or Dyson - it is reassuring when you're trying to build your brand.

 

ALWAYS BEYONCÉ, ALWAYS.

I listen to her for every single run, I can never get enough. I am endlessly just motivated by her. She is power, she is femininity, she is everything. We should always be more like her, she is fearless.

 

"I listen to her for every single run, I can never get enough"

 

MY GO TO FASHION.

Is a simple white shirt with heels and it can take you from school through to dinner.

 

IN BED I WEAR...

Silk for sure.

 

Follow Whitney on Instagram @theflowerbx






Our Care Guide<br>

 

 

Our silks, linens and swimwear are created to live as an essential

in your wardrobe for many years to come. Discover our top tips of

how to care for your ASCENO pieces so they are made to last.

 

It is important to stimulate the brain and get creative which is very important to your overall health. Get back into painting, drawing, or any other hobbies suited for home whilst staying indoors.

 

 

It is important to stimulate the brain and get creative which is very important to your overall health. Get back into painting, drawing, or any other hobbies suited for home whilst staying indoors.

 

 

Our silks, linens and swimwear are created to live as an essential

in your wardrobe for many years to come. Discover our top tips of

how to care for your ASCENO pieces so they are made to last.

ASCENO MEETS

 

 

Our silks, linens and swimwear are created to live as an essential

in your wardrobe for many years to come. Discover our top tips of

how to care for your ASCENO pieces so they are made to last.

 

WHITNEY HAWKINGS

FLOWERBX FOUNDER

 

 

It is important to stimulate the brain and get creative which is very important to your overall health. Get back into painting, drawing, or any other hobbies suited for home whilst staying indoors.

 

 

Our silks, linens and swimwear are created to live as an essential

in your wardrobe for many years to come. Discover our top tips of

how to care for your ASCENO pieces so they are made to last.

<br><br>ASCENO MEETS<br>

ASCENO Founders,<br>Poppy Sexton-Wainwright <br>& Lauren Leask  <br>

ASCENO MEETS...Flowerbx Founder Whitney Hawkings talks to ASCENO about Beyoncé, learning to fail fast, what she wished she'd known in her twenties and why she'll never shop on the high street again.

Styled by herself in ASCENO Essentials Collection

Interview by Steph Sleap


HOW I CAME UP WITH FLOWERBX.

The simplicity was definitely missing from the flower world and everyone was just outdoing each other with flowers upon flowers! The most beautiful way to consume flowers is the simplicity of a single stem in an elegant vase. It looks stunning!

 

I HAVE THREE KIDS SO MY FIRST HOUR OF THE DAY IS PRETTY CRAZY.

I love the idea of waking up and meditating, but my reality could not be farther from that! But my daughter who is 5 likes to come down to my bed for a cuddle before the alarm goes off so we usually have 15 minutes in bed before my day starts at 6am. It is chaotic but fun!

 

"My daughter likes to come down to my bed for a cuddle before the alarm goes off"

 


WHAT I HAVE LEARNT POST LOCKDOWN.

I used to be permanently exhausted but for the past two years that has totally changed. I used to be out 3 nights a week and home by midnight so you add that up and throw in a few cocktails and it's no wonder I was tired.

 

NEVER HIRE SOMEONE YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO HAVE DINNER WITH.

This was the best career advice that was given to Tom Ford which I loved! (Whitney worked for Tom Ford for 18-years). It is so true - you are spending so much time with these people so hiring people you generally like will make it so much better.

 

"Never hire someone you wouldn't want to have dinner with. This was the best career advice given to Tom Ford."


FAIL FAST.

There are so many ways we try to keep things going or keep people on who are not quite right. Especially as women, we are always trying to protect everyone's feelings but we should trust ourselves more. We launched Flowerbx in France and it didn't take off how we wanted it to and you know you sometimes just have to pull the bandaid off and move on!

 

I WISH WE KNOW HOW GREAT WE WERE IN OUR TWENTIES!

Your twenties are so full of self-doubt and so busy comparing yourself to everyone else and actually you are just awesome!

 

I AM ALWAYS IN AWE OF WOMEN WHO ARE NOT TRYING TOO HARD AND ARE REALLY COMFORTABLE IN THEIR OWN BODY.

Emilia Wickstead is my best friend and she is a great example of someone who is effortless. She can turn up to your house for dinner in a ballgown, flats and a ponytail and look so cool without trying too hard. Elizabeth Saltzman has that American ease - no make up, great smile and no cares.  

 

I WILL NEVER BUY ANYTHING FROM THE HIGH STREET AGAIN.

I won't buy anything that isn't total quality and that I can't keep for my daughter. I would rather buy one outfit every 5 years - if I am not going to wear it over 100 times and keep it for my daughter then I am not going to buy it!

 

"I won't buy anything that isn't totally quality and that I can't keep for my daughter."

 

 

FEMALE FOUNDERS ARE AMAZING.

I think what the ASCENO women are doing is really exciting. They have taken a traditional industry and made it really desirable and relevant. Especially with the need for comfort and small luxuries - it is super relevant.

 

WOMEN HAVING EACH OTHER'S BACK IS EMPOWERING.

There has been such a shift in how we support each other in business today and I think of those women who were mean or bitchy and thank goodness that culture has died. Being kind and nice is really paying off and now those women are winning! My friend Chrissie Rucker who founded The White Company is such a mentor. First of all she is a mother of 4 kids and she is so kind and soft spoken but this total powerhouse with an empire, so I am always looking up to her!

 

WHEN YOU'RE FEELING LOW IT'S GOOD TO HEAR 'KEEP GOING!'

I love the podcast 'How I Built This' and find it endlessly inspiring. I find it so reasurring to hear the moments when other entrepreneurs suffer times of rejection or self-doubt and thought 'oh this isn't going to work!' and then you realise they're taking about a global brand like Spanx or Dyson - it is reassuring when you're trying to build your brand.

 

ALWAYS BEYONCÉ, ALWAYS.

I listen to her for every single run, I can never get enough. I am endlessly just motivated by her. She is power, she is femininity, she is everything. We should always be more like her, she is fearless.

 

"I listen to her for every single run, I can never get enough"

 

MY GO TO FASHION.

Is a simple white shirt with heels and it can take you from school through to dinner.

 

IN BED I WEAR...

Silk for sure.

 

Follow Whitney on Instagram @theflowerbx















Shop Whitney's Edit

 





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