National success for local illustrator

Tuesday 08 August 2017

A local illustrator and Genuine Jersey member has been making quite an impression in the UK through a number of high-profile illustration commissions.

30-year-old Lauren Radley has caught the eye and imagination of the National Trust, London Zoo as well as giant retailers such as Waitrose.

Following local success at Genuine Jersey markets and through Island distributors, Lauren was also recently accepted as a seller on notonthehighstreet.com, a website home to "...more than 5,000 of the UK’s best small creative businesses." 

The Kingston University graduate has been illustrating Jersey landscapes and wildlife since 2009. She established her business with her husband, Emile Duhamel, in 2014 and with the help of the Genuine Jersey community now sells stationery, gift and homewares through outlets in Jersey and the UK, as well as on her website. You can find Lauren’s work stocked around the island as she has recently secured additional distribution through Ransom’s Garden Centre.

Pictured: Lauren sells stationery, gift and homewares through outlets in Jersey and the UK.

Jersey is an integral part of Lauren’s designs with one of her collections entitled ‘The Jersey Range’, which portrays each parish. She is also working on a project for the Jersey Trees for Life charity to rebrand the Forgotten Forest Arboretum at Val de la Mare and illustrate maps and information boards for visitors.

2016 was a pivotal year for Lauren: she was commissioned to feature in publications by Waitrose, BBC Goodfood and the Telegraph weekend supplement. Her largest commission was for the National Trust, who asked her to illustrate their sites around the UK to feature on tea towels and mugs.

Things are not slowing down for the illustrator this year. After taking part in the boutique retail trade event ‘Pulse’ in May, she received interest from the London Zoo and UK retailer ‘Scribbler’. Next year, she will feature at ‘Top Drawer’, the leading UK lifestyle buyers show.  

Pictured: Lauren says she is excited about the future of her business.

Lauren said: “I’ve been pushed right outside of my comfort zone recently, having to sell to the retail industry rather than tourists at craft markets. But this is all part of the learning curve and I’m excited at where we can take the business. I will always remain a huge supporter of what Genuine Jersey does for small businesses, so rest assured I won’t be leaving the Genuine Jersey events anytime soon and am keen to make these even more successful.”

John Garton, Genuine Jersey Chief Executive, said: “Lauren is a shining example of local talent in Jersey. She is a very proactive member of Genuine Jersey and we are more than happy to support her in everything she does and truly hope this is the start of great success for her.”