[adrotate group=”7″]
By CAITLIN CROWLEY
THE London headquarters of historic UK fabric designer Liberty is a world away from sun-scorched southern Queensland, but the two now share an unlikely connection thanks to a small business owner’s success on the journey from heartbreak to healing.
Take a look inside a well-dressed country woman’s wardrobe right now and there’s every chance you’ll find a blouse from cult, Roma-based fashion label, Sorority.
Just over two years since the release of its first collection, the brand’s popularity continues to thrill and surprise its creator, Cara Spreadborough, whose signature ‘wear-anywhere’ Liberty print blouses have amassed a loyal following.
“I’ve connected with so many amazing people along the way,” Cara said.
“I’ve heard amazing stories about their experience with Liberty – when they went to boarding school or what their Nana made them when they were younger.
“Eighteen to 85 year olds wear the blouses – I wanted good quality, timeless and that would suit any age, shape and style.”
[adrotate group=”7″]
But there’s more to Spreadborough’s success than iconic prints and quality cotton.
“I haven’t ever told the story of why I’ve done it because I’ve found, up until now, it’s been quite a personal story,” Cara told the Caller.
“But now I feel like it does help other people.”
Cara founded Sorority in the aftermath of an unfathomable loss – the tragic and sudden death of her twin sister Lee.
Lee passed away after a rare illness in 2017, leaving behind three little boys, the youngest just three months old at the time.
“The grief and loss was horrendous, and I needed to channel it some way,” Cara said.
“I needed something to focus on and I feel like that was the drive.”
It was Cara’s search for an elusive wardrobe staple – a perfectly-cut, floral blouse – that saw the self-confessed fashion-lover consider founding her own label.
“I’ve always loved floral prints and I was looking for a floral print blouse, and then I found one I particularly loved but it was US-based,” she said.
“I couldn’t find that particular style, or kind of print or anything similar online so I ended up ordering it from the US but it cost an exorbitant amount to get it here.
“And I was thinking, why am I paying this much from an overseas brand when I could try and do it here?
“That kind of spurred me on.”
[adrotate group=”7″]
When it came to choosing fabrics, Cara said it was Liberty “or nothing,” with the brand also honouring a treasured chapter in her life – living in London with Lee (pictured with her in London below) in their early twenties.
You can hear the delight in Cara’s voice when she describes what those formative years with her sister abroad were like.
“We just loved it, it was an amazing time in our life,” Cara said.
“I think anything to do with London I loved and Lee loved.”
Cara said she can remember being in awe of Liberty’s Regent Street department store, and thinking how amazing it was.
“It’s the most iconic building and it’s unbelievable,” she said.
Fast forward to Sorority’s early days and an online wholesale application from Cara to Liberty prompted a call from its head of sales, who was keen to find out more about her proposal.
“It felt very kind of easy and natural. I think I’ve always been someone who kind of takes a risk,” Cara said.
“I’ve always felt like she’s been a part of it the whole time and she’s helped me through it because it’s been so easy and been something I’ve loved.
“You want to carry on a legacy – it’s a way of me remembering.”
When Cara’s first batch of blouses was released in April 2021, it was clear she was onto something.
“Before I even launched the website – I put it on Instagram and I’d sold 65 blouses. It got busy very quickly,” she said.
“I was in my little office upstairs on our property 45 minutes from Roma and I was doing trips into town for posting and packing all the orders myself and then the little boutique came up for sale.”
[adrotate group=”7″]
Now that Roma boutique, Inky and Moss, is Sorority’s physical headquarters, but social media is where Cara continues to build her mostly-rural customer base, seeking feedback on new designs and sharing updates and styling tips.
“Covid was almost an advantage because people learned to online shop more, they needed that connection through Instagram and Facebook,” she said.
“I think they love the connection and I think people are getting over the big brands and the mass produced products.
“They like the connection – even if you get on (Instagram) and you’ve got no makeup on, and you’re talking – those are they days I sell most!”
[adrotate group=”7″]
For those thinking about taking the plunge and starting their own venture, Cara said the quote she lived by was “start before you’re ready”.
“My first batch of blouses were too short, I didn’t necessarily love the prints that I chose. They needed tweaking – but I just started,” she said.
She said knowing your “why” and what problem you’re solving are important too.
“I’ve always loved making people feel lovely,” she said.
“I think it’s so important for women to feel good and feel good about themselves, whether they be a size 8 or an 18.”
Cara has been asked to present at Bloom Inc, a conference for female entrepreneurs, this weekend – where she will be sharing her story to encourage and empower others.
“When you go through adversity, sometimes something good can come out it, but you have to make that choice,” she said.
“It really does help you through grief and loss.
“You can do hard things and you can get through things and it’s just what you do with it and the choices you make.”