Director Speech; Everything I Wanted To Say

Director of Robertson Intimates, Elloise Robertson, delivered a heart-felt speech at the launch event for the Asteria collection. The 22 year-old director started by thanking guests for joining her to celebrate the celetial lingerie launch, and explained the key goals for the brand.

Image courtesy of Ali’s Photography

“I want to create a wellness club including lingerie and self care products expressing self love through the art of lingerie.” (Elloise Robertson, 2024)

Giving this speech was very difficult for me, and as usual I was off to a fantastic start by kicking over a projector on my way up to the lectern, which did wonders for my social anxiety. Despite being surrounded by my wonderful friends and family, the pressure still felt very much on. How do I put my journey into words? How can I effectively convey my aspirations and goals for my company? How do I balance being relatable and funny whilst looking professional? My overthinking brain really went into overdrive on the days leading up to this pivotal moment. This was my first speech as a director afterall.

So as if kicking a projector wasnt a good start already, I followed this stunt by being unable to access my notes on my phone! I suppose it could only be worse if the building also went up in flames. Thankfully, it didn’t. It started to look like my only option was to wing it. I have never been very good at public speaking, or even articulating what is in my head, but unfrtunately I didnt get to fully describe everything I wanted to say. Regardless, it was still ok and guests did enjoy it, and everyone was very supportive so I cannot thank everyone who attended enough for that and also for coming to support my brand and myself.

Image courtesy of Ali’s Photography

“I wanted to do this because it was the only thing that made me feel confident at a time where there was so much judgment” (Elloise Robertson, 2024)

One of my main points that I actually was able to articulate was that I wanted to do this because it was the only thing that made me feel confident at a time where there was so much judgment in school. There was always so much judgement for how you looked, what size your boobs were, how big your bum was, whether you had curvy hips or stick limbs. I’m sure the case is the same for many other young people, but the fact remians that it knocked my confidence for years! I had mad body dismorphia, and it felt like just because I was traditionally skinny, what I felt like didn’t matter. I was told being thin was a blessing, when in actual fact i’d recieve comments about looking anorexic, being flat chested, looking like a rectangle because I had no curves. Don’t worry though it was all a “joke”, super funny right? When I found lingerie, it was like a new world had opened up for me. I for once felt like I actually felt comfortable with the way I looked or even happy! I fell in love with the way it made me feel, I felt beautiful, and it was just something for me, no one else.

Regardless of this new found confidence, I felt like I could never find something that was right for me. Every set had something that was ugly like a lace or an embellishment that didn’t need to be there and when it was almost right it didn’t fit or was uncomfortable or just poorly made. I also never found anything that was unique, it was all boring using the same old lace or the same plain print or unflattering shape. Even with all this it still made me feel empowered and confident and I actually started to like the way I looked, and I wanted to enable others to feel that way too in something that was more interesting. I have always been interested in fashion and art both at school and through external pursuits, this is where I decided I wanted to mix my passion of designing with lingerie.

I knew it would be borderline impossible to launch a brand in this climate, but I’m all about making life hard for myself, but I genuinely felt like this was the way, like I had to do it. I started to design random patterns and motifs, alongside college and university and as soon as I finished I jumped straight in. It was rough, I had saved pretty much everything I earned from tutoring to funnel into it, but because I am young and inexperienced it felt like everyone was trying to take advantage and charge me so much more! I took it upon myself to learn absolutely everything I could to do it myself, and after nearly a year I am here.

“I wanted to make Robertson Intimates encompass all of my values. I wanted to make it sustainable, I wanted to make it bold and unique and I wanted to make it promote skin and body positivity.” (Elloise Robertson, 2024)

I have tried to be as sustainable as possible, even down to my office goods. I use recycled satin for the carelabels, recycled polyester for every stitch, bamboo cotton for the brief gussets for not only its sustainable nature but also because of its hypoallergenic properties. I used recycled paper for my patterns and do as much paperwork as possible digitally, and even print with Canva as they plant trees with every print. I still have a long way to go but I am dedicated to comiting to reducing the impact that fashion has on the planet. Which is why I have saved every scrap of material to be repurposed into my sustainable jewlery range coming out at the end of this year.

Being skin and body positive is a phrase that is tossed around in the fashion industry, but what does it actually mean? I knew that I wanted to present real women, women with scars, with acne, with tattoos. Women that actually encompass everything women are and can be and I want to continue doing that for every collection.

l also wanted an outlet to explore all of my designs and artwork. There is so much of the same in the industry already and there are no collections that are thermed or innovative or exciting, which is why I wanted to create seasonal collections that explore different themes and genres. Which is why I am so excited to announce the development of the first Halloween collection ‘‘cryptid Core”. Something completely unique, exploring these creatures through the art of realistic embroidery. Get ready for tbe statement piece that would be sure to turn heads and eyes. I have so many more designs and collections for many seasons to come and I am so excited to share all of them with you.

“I want to explore my art through embroidery and custom prints. The brand will evolve in conjunction with my art.” (Elloise Robertson, 2024)

The future:

As the brand grows I am dedicated to continuiously evolving. I plan to develop and expand not only lingerie collections but also wellness products like themed candles, soaps and body oils. As lingerie became integral to my mental health, it naturally became apart of my self-care routine, which of course is incomplete without some pampering products and a good candle. Each product is enfused with health promoting essential oils and bases that are kind to the skin and all natural. The candles available use para-soy wax which is a brilliant natural alternative to other chemical based candles on the market. The soaps not only have dried flowers and essential oils but are goats-milk based which is known for being gentle on all skin types and for being kind to acne and skin conditions like eczema, making them accessible to everyone. Finally my range of body oils are made with sweet almond oil and jojoba oil which mimic the natural oils of the skin for a smooth application. These products will be avilable for purchase in July of 2024!

In sum, I am here to stay! I am dedicated to evolving Robertson Intimates into the go-to brand for all of your self-care needs; mental or physical. I want the brand to not adhere to every 5 minute trend, but explore a range of different concepts. I want the brand to represent everyone and make anyone feel comfortable and confident in their own skin. I am confident that despite I cannot articulate myself sometimes, I can provide this, and I will spend every waking day working to this goal.