Cristina Re’s CV is about as impressive as they come. The Cristina Re brand is a true Australian success story, with many chapters still to be written. From her beginnings in Italy where she studied art to her first artistic venture, a photography studio, Cristina’s artistic vision and natural entrepreneurial talent has led her to success in the form of over 500 products sold in over 1000 stores, as well as her own concept store and high tea salon, Where A Girl Goes. Credited as being the original founder of DIY stationary, Cristina’s work can be recognised in beautiful paper designs, scrap-booking kits, delicate china and home decor – basically anything you could think of to make your life and surroundings just that little bit more beautiful.
As an owner of Cristina’s beautiful tea sets (which are always a talking point when I have guests over), I was excited to hear of her latest venture – a collection designed exclusively for Target, just in time for Mother’s Day! Peacock Garden is a perfect example of Cristina’s work and personal style; elegant feminine designs and luxurious products encased in beautiful hand-illustrated packaging with silver foil – no details are spared in this range. From bath and body, home fragrance to special journal’s for mum’s thoughts (probably about what a wonderful child you are for giving such pretty gifts) all of Cristina Re’s Peacock Garden collection falls under $20 (individual items) – wonderfully affordable for gifts or to treat yourself.
The best thing is this will be an ongoing partnership – Mother’s Day may be the perfect timing but Cristina is excited to continue to create products for Target, allowing her designs to reach a wider number of people. I spoke to Cristina (who is as lovely as her products) about her new partnership with Target and the Cristina Re brand:
How would you describe the Cristina Re brand?
The Cristina Re name is a trusted Australian brand which is synonymous with elegant style, femininity and creativity. My aim is to remain at the forefront of design, creating products that are not only beautiful and innovative but are of the highest quality and affordable to all. I am constantly challenged to turn the ordinary into extraordinary and to tell a unique story that will offer the ultimate sensory experience for the customer.
Your career as a designer and business woman has been amazing, congratulations on being such an inspiring woman. What tips would you have for any other entrepreneurs wanting to start out or take their business to the next level?
My advice for entrepreneurs out there would be to have a very clear vision and to ensure that your vision is shared with the people around you. It is important to have a business plan and ensure that you have a great support system to guide and mentor you. I would say to do everything with great passion, commitment and dedication and be prepared to work very hard, never give up and uphold honesty and integrity. Finally, as a woman, I will always encourage you to nurture and use your tools of inner wisdom and intuition to guide you at all times and to never compromise on your philosophy and beliefs.
What are your future goals for the Cristina Re brand? What’s next?
My goal is to continue to create innovative and trend setting products that inspire my customers. I aim to continue to extend and diversify all of our products and categories and to continue to collaborate with other major companies such as Target.
To me, and I have and love your products, Cristina Re represents ultimate femininity, glamour and small indulgences – have you always been a ‘girly girl’?
There has always been a side of me that has been ‘girly’. Ever since I was a child I was very artistic and loved to draw pictures of butterflies in my school diaries. I was always very fond of the colour pink and loved all things pretty and feminine. Femininity is a very clear association with the brand and my clients love the range for these qualities, however my personal taste has become much more diverse over the years.
What was the inspiration behind your partnership with Target, and the subsequent range Peacock Garden?
Target approached me to design the range as they were looking to associate themselves with other recognised Australian designers that have a wide fan base and following. With the Peacock Garden range Target wanted me to design something stylish and feminine for Mother’s Day. My inspiration behind the range was to create something that contained pretty florals and my favorite animal motif, the beautiful and iconic peacock, which I incorporate in many of my paper designs. My inspiration behind the fragrances, which contain a mix of florals and fruits, was my favorite personal blend which contained hints of rose, jasmine, summer flowers and fruity fragrances (my favorite fruits being lychee, mandarin, pomegranate and passion fruit).
What’s important to you when creating a beauty line?
The important thing to me when creating the range was to create something that is not only beautiful but of the highest quality. I always try to ensure that I create something that is gentle on the skin and remove as many nasties and preservatives as possible. We also wanted to make sure that we could create a product that was very affordable for the target clientele, without compromising on quality (that was certainly not an easy task, but through much research and quality assurance we were very committed to the challenge).
The packaging is absolutely gorgeous! Is your inspiration from a certain era or place?
The inspiration for the packaging centered upon my love of gardens. The print reminds me of stepping into a beautiful enchanted garden, being surrounded by elegant peacocks, flourishing flora and fauna.
What are your plans for Mother’s Day?
Further to our wholesale business we also have our very own concept store and high tea salon called Where a Girl Goes. For Mother’s Day we intend to be spoiling mothers and daughters at the salon where women are encouraged to have an indulgent high tea experience consisting of being pampered with exquisite French macarons, cupcakes and chocolates. On Mother’s Day I will certainly be spending it with my mum and spoiling her in the same way.
No doubt Cristina Re’s latest business venture will be as successful as the rest, and as lovers of little luxuries and Australian entrepreneurial success, we at Onya wish Cristina all the best!
