Happy Birthday, Bento

Holy moly. Today marks the very first birthday for Bento. I’m measuring this not based on how long we’ve been in stores (only about four weeks), or how long Bento has been cooking in my mind (years), but rather the date Bento was registered as a business.

This blog has acted as a documentary of the journey I’ve been on, from the day last May when I resigned from my job with a bank to pursue this crazy dream.

Rather than bleat on about all that we’ve achieved (and honestly, it doesn’t feel like much – I’m my own worst critic), I want to use this post to thank all the people that got me (us) this far…

First, and most importantly, my husband – Charles Hardman who is now on his own journey opening a gallery for emerging artists (www.100thgallery.com). Thanks for holding my hand and not laughing hysterically the day I told you what I wanted to do. I couldn’t have got this far without you.

In very rough chronological order…

Maximilian, my teacher at the crash course I took at CAE on the fashion industry. With everything you knew about what I was going to try and do, you were supportive and never tried to talk me out of it. A thousand thanks.

Roula from Canon Fashions, Adrian from A&B Knitwear / Merino Gold, Josh from Davisha, Julia at Galleria Tessuti and Katya at MTA… you all had faith in me when others didn’t and were prepared to talk to me. There aren’t words that can adequately describe how grateful I was to be able to do business with you.

Along the same vein, but a little later along – Sean from Vince Clothing, Tamara at Martin & Savage, Sam from Richmond Laundry and Geetha at Bradmill. Your advice came at just the right time and was invaluable.

The modelling agencies I’ve worked with – Vivien’s, Giant and Mark Fitzgerald Management – you’ve all been spectacular in your own way and I hope to work with all of you again in the future. A special shout out really should go to JJ and Silvana from Vivien’s though – not only are you both breathtakingly beautiful, you were so wonderful, so professional and made the day so easy for me when we shot the first collection. I can’t rave about you enough.

Julia from The Sample Room - thanks for rescuing me when things weren’t going quite according to plan!

I would have given up a long time ago if it weren’t for the assistance and guidance of some amazing people I’ve met along the way – Lou Pardi… who took me to a party and introduced me to Cheryl at Business Chic and Sarah from Style Melbourne who in turn took me to meet Tanya and Daniel at Fashionising and Phoebe from Lady Melbourne. You all rock.

Whilst I’m inadvertantly on the topic of bloggers… a gazillion thanks to those who’ve taken the time to write about Bento or even just talk to me. I pour my heart and soul into this little label and your kind words are often what gets me through the day. The Agenda, Broadsheet, Style Farm, Small Lust, Style Lab, What Would Karl Do, Sassybella, Style Wilderness, Style Platform, Love More, Nothing to Nobody, Friend in Fashion… and my sincere apologies if I’ve forgotten people from this list!

The journalists who didn’t just ignore me because I didn’t have a PR agent – Janice Breen Burns from The Age, James Boston from ATF, Assia at Ragtrader, Rebecca Whish from Cleo, Lou from Peppermint, Jess from Bespoke, Kealey at Thelma and the fantabulous team at Onya - thanks.

The ever talented and wonderful photographers Emily Abay and Caitlin Jane McColl, makeup artists Merton Muaremi, Tanya Guiccione and Briony at Adorn and finally Matthew Botakis for his follicular based fabulousness. We love you all!

And finally – chronologically speaking – my first season stockists. Sarah at The Dreamery, the eponymous Cecylia, Bel at The Dressing Room, Kamahl at Horse With No Name and the delightful Thread Den I will forever remember the chance you took on me. You have each changed my life.

On a somewhat simliar note… although they don’t stock Bento, Elise at The Corner Shop and Victoria at Alice Euphemia. Your honestly and advice are completely unique in this industry. Thanks so very much!

Finally – not chronologically this time – to everyone who has treated me with disdain, seriously confused the line between ‘constructive criticism’ and ‘just plain rude’ and has been otherwise discouraging, unsupportive and unprofessional… SCREW YOU. You know who you are.

Thanks again to everyone for getting us (me) to Bento’s first birthday! We look forward to sharing many more with you