Violet Flamingo x Lavender Magpie
Over the past few months, I’ve made some big decisions about Violet Flamingo.
Not rushed ones, thoughtful changes that have come from wanting to simplify what I do, reduce the constant admin, and focus on the parts of my work that genuinely bring me joy.
For a long time, I’ve felt the pressure of what a brand should look like. An online shop, polished product photos, regular uploads, keeping everything “up to date.” And while I understand why those things exist, the reality is… they’ve never really reflected how I actually work.
Everything I create is made-to-order. My process has always been personal — conversations with customers about what they want, how something should fit, what fabrics feel right, and how a piece can become something they truly love and wear again and again.
That connection is the most important part of what I do.
So I’ve made the decision to close my online shop.
It means no more product shoots, no more editing images, no more uploading and writing descriptions for pieces that were never meant to sit on a digital shelf in the first place. And honestly, I feel relieved.
From now on, if you see something you like on my social media, just get in touch. I’ll happily talk you through the piece — the fabric, the fit, the care, the price — and we can create something together.
Bringing Everything Under One Roof
Alongside Violet Flamingo, many of you will know I’ve been running alterations, repairs and upcycling through Lavender Magpie, as well as selling reworked pieces on Depop.
Over the last couple of years, that side of the business has grown more than I ever expected. I’ve met so many new clients through it, and it’s been incredible to see more people choosing to repair, rework and extend the life of their clothes.
But with that growth has come more platforms to manage, more messaging channels, more admin — and ultimately, more fragmentation.
So I’ve made another decision:
Lavender Magpie’s Instagram and the Depop shop are now closed.
The work itself isn’t going anywhere — far from it. Alterations, repairs and upcycling are still a huge part of what I do.
They now simply live under one name: Violet Flamingo.
One place, one studio, one space where everything connects.
An Unexpected Path into Teaching
Something else has naturally become part of my work over the past year — something I never originally planned — is teaching.
This began through voluntary work in local high schools, where I had conversations with young people about fashion, textiles and creative careers. Again and again, I heard the same thing: the interest is there, but the access isn’t.
With ongoing cuts to creative subjects, many students simply don’t have the opportunity to explore textiles or fashion in school, and don’t know how to take those first steps into the industry.
Those initial conversations led to more — with academies across the borough, with Rochdale Council, with community centres, youth services, galleries, and local groups.
And what became clear very quickly is that this isn’t a small gap — it’s a real need.
Now, workshops have become a meaningful part of what I offer.
I work with young people, adults, schools and community groups, creating spaces where people can:
- learn to sew
- repair and upcycle their clothing
- build skills for further education
- or simply spend time being creative together
Because it’s not just about the technical skills. It’s about confidence, connection, and giving people the chance to explore something they might not otherwise have access to.
Why This Matters
What I do is everything to me.
I love making. I love creating. I love the process of turning an idea into something real and wearable. But more than that, I love the connections that come with it — the conversations, the shared ideas, the moments where someone realises they can make something themselves.
If I can help even one person find their passion in this field, then that matters.
These changes aren’t about doing less — they’re about doing things better. More intentionally. More honestly. In a way that reflects who I am and what Violet Flamingo has always been at its core.
We need creativity.
We need community.
And I’m really excited about what comes next.
Big love, Lindsey 💜