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Why I changed my business name

HOW IT BEGAN

One of the main questions people have asked me over the years is “Where did the name ‘Maybe Mabel’ come from?” to which I never seem to have an interesting or meaningful enough answer to other than I liked the sound of it. I came up with the name when I lived in New Zealand in 2012. During this time I began making jewellery and other small accessories mainly using vintage patterns and fabrics. The name seemed to represent my products really well, it was fun, light-hearted and had a vintage feel to it.
Maybe Mabel LOGO

FINDING MY STYLE

Once I returned from New Zealand I signed up to a 6 week sewing course and began making my first bags. I absolutely loved it and knew I’d found something that I truly enjoyed and wanted to pursue. Over the years my products evolved and became more refined. My recycled leather supplier changed to a UK based company called ELEATHER so I was now using a much higher-end and expensive product meaning things like price-points had to be altered and the finished pieces needed to reflect this.
comparison of products

Comparison of products over the years

TIME FOR CHANGE

 In the 8 years since starting the business, inevitably, many things changed, including me. And with that change I started to wonder whether the name ‘Maybe Mabel’ really reflected my products and my business as a whole anymore. Many times I wished I could change the name and the branding but thought it would be too much hassle, expensive and time-consuming plus I had a good following of loyal customers and didn’t want to jeopardise that.

woman wearing convertible backpack

CHOOSING A NAME

Then the pandemic hit and I had a lot of time to think about what I wanted for the business. I realised that changing the name to something I could be proud of and that truly reflected the quality of my products was integral to the business moving forwards. I had the idea of using a single word, something catchy and memorable but then the obvious dawned on me, why not call it my name? That’s what a lot of the top designers do (think Cath Kidston, Orla Keily, Michael Kors, Kate Spade and the like). It felt like the right thing to do, to finally be putting my own name to my work, instead of having a name that I couldn't relate to anymore and which I felt like I'd outgrown.

NEW BRANDING 

I had a logo designed but after a month or two of mulling it over I realised it wasn't quite what I was after so I worked on one myself using the original as a guide. My designs often feature Japanese fabrics so I decided to opt for a motif from a traditional Japanese pattern which I thought really represented my style. I found a beautiful font which looked both elegant and professional and kept the original branding colours from the first design. 

Lauren Holloway logo and brand colours

New logo and brand colours

Lauren Holloway Japanese motif

Traditional Japanese motif

 

Lauren Holloway fonts

New brand fonts

 

Lauren Holloway social media handle

New social media handle

 

I'm really excited to be launching the new name and branding, it really does feel like a new chapter and identity for this small indie business I started as a hobby over 8 years ago. 

 

Thank you to West of England Combined Authority for funding the project and thank you to everyone who continues to support me. I would love to hear your thoughts about the name change and the new branding so please leave a comment below!

19 comments

  • Claire Farrand-Preston

    I loved reading this little blog. I love the new logo, the font, the colour pallet and the brand style (I work for a communication design agency so appreciate these kind of things) and I especially LOVE my new bag…and adapting the pocket at the back to a trolley sleeve…well, its just what I was looking for. I will treasure this beautiful bag forever and its about to go on its first trip abroad, one of many around the world….thank you x

  • Andy green

    I enjoyed reading your blog I discovered things about Mabel I never knew ! I think the name change is a great direction move and I love the logo and colours …now in Selfridge’s I can see Michael Kors alongside Lauren Holloway ".design ! You have evolved brilliantly and I can imagine in a few years walking into Liberty’s and shouting " that’s a Lauren Holloway "!!!

  • Auntie Debs

    Hi Lauren, I think your logo is very professional in appearance, tasteful, and created with your elegance, using your name is a step up the ladder in design. CONGRATULATIONS and lots of lovexxx

  • Susan Patman

    Well done Lauren! Very classy, professional and business like, i love it looks great! 🥂xx

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