Interview with Elizabeth Padilla, founder of Hues Clothing Limited
Elizabeth Padilla is the founder of Hues Clothing Limited, a brand that combines bold, timeless designs with a strong commitment to sustainability and sensory-friendly fabrics for children.
What’s your career background?
I initially attended a professional acting school in NYC before moving to London to further my studies, where I met my husband. After several years of juggling odd jobs and hectic schedules so I could attend auditions, I became disillusioned with acting and made the decision to pursue a 9-5 job.
I eventually secured a position as a receptionist and gradually worked my way up to a strategy role in the luxury beauty division of a large FMCG company, focusing on mergers and acquisitions. It was during this time that my passion for starting my own business took hold.
How did your career change after having children?
I had twins in 2013 and returned to a part-time PA role at an advertising agency, but quickly realized it wasn’t for me. That’s when I found a role working in luxury beauty, which was exciting and made me look forward to being back at work.
Juggling childcare and a full-time job was a challenge, but my husband and I both had understanding and flexible employers who made life a lot easier. I also found that being a parent meant I ended up leading a far more balanced life and not spending every hour at work.
Where did the idea for your business come from?
Hues was first conceived as a concept when our children were toddlers, and we were searching for high-quality basic clothes that were gender-neutral. Every Halloween, we wanted to create our children’s costumes, even though we had no sewing skills and little time (hello busy parents!). Most costumes would start with a base layer of clothes in plain colours and then be built up with various crafting ideas and a lot of hot glue (ouch!).
When our daughter was four years old, she wanted to dress up as a “princess alien,” and all I needed was a long-sleeved green top and trousers in the same colour, but they were impossible to find. I searched everywhere I could think of. This is when I knew I needed to create Hues. You can see some of our crazy and creative Halloween costumes here.
How did you move from idea to actual business?
I registered my business in 2019, reduced my hours at work, and began developing the concept and designs. However, due to the pandemic, everything came to a stop in 2020, and I had to put the business on hold while I juggled a full-time job and attempted to educate my children at home.
In 2022, after dealing with poor health, I accepted a redundancy package from my job and decided that it was finally the right time to launch Hues Clothing and we launch in March 2023. It was nearly 10 years from first dreaming of the concept to launch!
What’s been the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?
I experienced a lot of health issues in 2021 that ultimately led to a chronic illness. After being diagnosed with hypermobility spectrum disorder and POTS, I was mostly confined to my house. Through a combination of medications, mindfulness practices, exercise, and shifting my mindset from goal-oriented to value-oriented, along with 8 months of dedication, I regained my functionality and was able to resume working on Hues.
What’s your USP?
Hues Clothing is a sensory-friendly, colourful, and eco-conscious fashion brand for kids aged 1-6. We offer ultra-soft, organic and recycled cotton, playtime clothes in bold block colours made in the UK. Our styles are designed to last, so your kids can continue to enjoy their favourite Hues jumper as they grow. We also provide a personalization service on our kids jumpers and t-shirts!
Our mission: We want every child to feel comfortable to explore, learn, and play freely.
How do you spread the word about what you do?
You can find Hues Clothing on Instagram at @hues_ltd. You can also find out what I am up to through the Hues newsletter which you can sign up to here.
How do you balance your work with your family?
Balancing kids, work, and health is always a challenge. With chronic health conditions, I prioritize my values. Spending time with family is important to me, and I will always make it a priority. Even if I don’t have the energy to spend all day in the park with the kids, I will still set aside time to be with them. These values extend to my approach to business as well.
What are your three top pieces of advice for someone wanting to do something similar?
1) Always be open to learning
ou can learn new things from everyone you interact with, including mentors, associates, customers, and even your children. They all have something valuable to offer, even if it’s something you may not agree with.
2) Remember that you are not an expert in everything
Focus on your areas of expertise and seek help for the rest.
3) Take some time to appreciate how far you have come!
When everything feels like it’s going wrong and you’re ready to give up, take a moment to reflect on your past successes and acknowledge your accomplishments. This can help you find the inner strength to keep going.
Find out more about Hues Clothing Limited.
Photos by Nicole Saunders Photography
