Newcastle Entrepreneur Goes From Making Hollywood Costumes to Developing Sustainable Homeware Brand
Rosie Bath, from Cera Cotton, tells us how a camping trip inspired her to go from making costumes for Hollywood blockbusters to developing her own truly sustainable homeware brand
Tell us about Cera Cotton.
Cera Cotton, which means ‘wax cotton’ in Latin, is a new concept which was imagined last summer after I’d been camping and ended up taking several plastic products. In my day job, I made costumes for the film industry in London and whilst working on a wax cotton jacket I saw the benefits of this wonderful, water-resistant fabric. I realised then, that by switching to wax cotton, there was potential to drastically reduce plastic consumption. The aim of the brand is to become ‘The Home of Wax Cotton’, selling a range of practical, beautiful and plastic-free products for a sustainable lifestyle.
What’s your background?
I am from Newcastle and trained at Northumbria University on the Fashion Design and Marketing course. After graduating in 2018, I moved to London to pursue a career in costume making in the film industry, where I was lucky enough to work on films including No Time To Die, The Little Mermaid and House of Gucci. As much as I enjoyed the work, I have always felt my home was in the North East and came back in June this year after winning the ‘High Growth Award’ for the Start Up Awards North East.
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Why did you take the leap and start your own business?
Cera Cotton really encapsulates everything which is important to me: sustainability, creativity and bringing opportunities to the North East. I have always dreamt of running my own business but didn’t know what I wanted to do or create. The day I had the idea for the wax cotton camping gear really was a lightbulb moment! I realised these wax cotton products had never been created and that I just had to seize the opportunity. Since then, for the last year, I have been developing print designs, testing prototypes and conducting market research. Launched on 1st August, I am extremely happy to be up and running.
What have been the biggest challenges so far?
One of the biggest challenges has been sourcing 100 percent plastic-free materials. Plastic has only been around since 1907, but we have become so reliant on it, the material can be found in around 70 percent of household textile items. Cera Cotton breaks this trend, showing that you can make elegant, practical homeware which is plastic-free.
Where do you source materials?
This has been another challenge! My other aim is to source as much as possible from the UK. This keeps the carbon footprint of Cera Cotton to a minimum whilst supporting the British economy. The business is very transparent about this, with the majority of materials and their origins being disclosed on the website.
Tell us about the sustainability aspect of your wax cotton.
Used by sailors to wax their sails and coats to keep dry, wax cotton has truly stood the test of time. It is thought the first sailors who developed this use were Scottish seafarers voyaging between Scotland and the Baltics, importing flax and linen for the weaving industry. Even today, British factories are renowned as the best in the business for this innovative fabric. Through using low-impact manufacturing methods, the cotton fabric is spun through a machine, evenly coating it in a specially formulated wax blend. There are multiple wax blends with different properties and end uses, making it an extremely versatile fabric. The fabric can be maintained by the end user, allowing it to last for many years, whilst also being 100 percent biodegradable once its lifespan is over.
Why was this important to you?
There have been many amazing advancements in new sustainable materials over the past few years, but I feel that we should also take a simpler approach and look at how we lived before the invention of plastic. We all know that there is too much plastic being produced and discarded, but I strongly believe that businesses haven’t yet caught up, continuing with business as usual and often ‘greenwashing’ their customers. For me, most importantly, when a customer purchases from Cera Cotton, they are choosing an alternative to plastic, which gives me a real sense of fulfilment and shows a small step in the right direction.
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Tell us about the sustainability aspect of your wax cotton.
Used by sailors to wax their sails and coats to keep dry, wax cotton has truly stood the test of time. It is thought the first sailors who developed this use were Scottish seafarers voyaging between Scotland and the Baltics, importing flax and linen for the weaving industry. Even today, British factories are renowned as the best in the business for this innovative fabric. Through using low-impact manufacturing methods, the cotton fabric is spun through a machine, evenly coating it in a specially formulated wax blend. There are multiple wax blends with different properties and end uses, making it an extremely versatile fabric. The fabric can be maintained by the end user, allowing it to last for many years, whilst also being 100 percent biodegradable once its lifespan is over.
Why was this important to you?
There have been many amazing advancements in new sustainable materials over the past few years, but I feel that we should also take a simpler approach and look at how we lived before the invention of plastic. We all know that there is too much plastic being produced and discarded, but I strongly believe that businesses haven’t yet caught up, continuing with business as usual and often ‘greenwashing’ their customers. For me, most importantly, when a customer purchases from Cera Cotton, they are choosing an alternative to plastic, which gives me a real sense of fulfilment and shows a small step in the right direction.
So are Cera Cotton products fully plastic free?
Yes! From the Tencel thread to the vinyl-free stickers, Cera Cotton is setting the standard for what a sustainable business should be. To prove it, from materials through to packaging, on our website is a list of what goes into each product. For example, if you haven’t heard of it, Tencel thread is a sustainable fibre made from wood pulp which is stronger than cotton and able to withstand the elements outside. We also don’t use any plastic in our packaging. Each order is beautifully gift wrapped in our custom designed boxes, paper tape and recycled brown paper. Who doesn’t love brown paper packages?
Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
I try to get out into our beautiful British countryside at least once a day, which is where I find most of the inspiration for my designs. Not only this, but through my studies and past work I have always been looking back at ‘lost’ crafts and techniques. My grandad showed me my great-grandma’s pressed flower books from school, which is probably where the idea for my current collection, patterns made from pressed leaves and flowers, came to mind. However, with everything I design, I keep it contemporary, sophisticated and modern.
Tell us about a product which was really challenging to get right.
One of the pieces I wanted to create was a plastic-free plant pouch. My friends and I love houseplants, but the challenge was making sure there would be no leaking out of the seams. Several prototypes later, each pouch now has a seamless lining to avoid leaking.
A favourite product from your collection?
My favourite product has to be the peg bag. It is a simple product, but an everyday essential which really brightens up the garden. I have had a prototype on the washing line for the past year, it has withstood the snow, heatwaves and storms whilst our original plastic peg basket flew off and smashed!
What’s your favourite thing about what you do?
It has to be simply creating beautiful things. A lot of effort goes into the print design and construction of each and every product, which is then thoroughly tested. To see this development from the start to finish and finally seeing customers enjoying them is a very satisfying process.
How do you relax?
I enjoy time spent with friends and family. There are so many great places to visit in the North-East you can never really be bored. On weekends I love to get away when the weather allows and go camping.
What are you reading / listening to / watching right now?
I am currently reading ‘The Language of Flowers’ by Vanessa Diffenbaugh, a lovely read and hard to put down. I am also enjoying the latest season of ‘The Great’ which has some phenomenal costumes and a fun storyline. My music taste is very varied, but I am loving Paolo Nutini’s new album.
What’s in store for Cera Cotton?
My goal is for Cera Cotton to become ‘The Home of Wax Cotton’ and to be a leader in the sustainable homeware field. The plan is to launch an array of wax cotton products in different colourways and prints. I currently have a catalogue of products waiting to be developed and released. The products range from bicycle gear to dog accessories, which I hope to sell on my online store and to other UK retailers. A huge ambition for me is to have Cera Cotton products sold in department stores such as Fenwick and John Lewis. To go into Newcastle and see my products on shelves would be such a thrill.
