Day two of International Women’s Week is here and today we’re delighted to introduce you to Molly Goddard: the inspiring co-founder of luxury pyjama brand Desmond & Dempsey. Plus a competition with a twist…
We hear a lot about how women are taught not to take up space. And so, instead of just having one token day dedicated to women, we’re having an ENTIRE WEEK, International Women’s Day is fine, but no thanks – we’re having International Women’s Week. So this week, we’re hosting a series of interviews and competitions, each celebrating women and featuring one amazing female entrepreneur.
Today’s Sunday so we’ve got the perfect person to introduce you to – it’s Molly Goddard, one of the co-founders of the most Sundayish brand imaginable, Desmond & Dempsey. Molly actually founded the brand with her then-boyfriend-now-husband back in 2014, and these days you’ll find D&D’s elegant, printed jimjams stocked in the chicest stores – from New York’s Bergdorf Goodman to Liberty, Fortnum’s and Selfridges here in London, as well as their very own popup store on South Molton Street.
‘A timeless classic. Handsome style with those girly touches… Rolled cuffs, slip on shorts and pockets,’ D&D’s PJ’s are tailor made for ‘Sunday adventures’ and spending the day pottering about, reading the papers and that final chapter of your book, popping the kettle on for another cup of tea or perhaps serving a round of mimosas if the feeling takes you. And always more toast and jam, of course. We spoke to Molly about working with women, how to bring kindness into your managerial style and her most recent inspiring reads…
What does feminism mean to you?
It means having the choice. It means having a team full of women, not because they are women, but because they are the best at what they do.
A woman who inspires you and why?
The women in our team. One in particular who is teaching me how to lead. She doesn’t know it, but watching her carefully teach, intelligently negotiate and do rather tell, I am inspired by her day to day.
What are you most proud of in your career?
Choosing kindness. We were going through a difficult time with someone in our team, and while I wanted to shake them, give them warnings and demand better attitudes, we softly asked questions and listened to what they were going through. In total honesty, I haven’t enjoyed the the managing side of entrepreneurship, but as things started to slowly get better, I was so proud of how we approached a difficult position.
Tell us about your favourite female-authored book?
I take it in turns reading novels, and then inspirational books. So for the novel, it was A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. Not an easy book to read, but one that really stayed with me for months. Yanagihara pushes you as a reader, her words gripping you even when you want to put the book down. Centred on four male characters, A Little Life explores human love, strength and sadness.
I have just finished Michelle Obama’s book Becoming, and honestly wasn’t expecting to love it it so much. It was so honest, and brilliant and caring and real. It made me want to set my sights on making a difference to our community.
How do you feel about the future of feminism?
I am going to preference this, with the fact that I grew in a family where my dad played the traditional matriarchal role and had a brother who was always told to ask for his older sister’s opinion. Naively, I guess, I have always felt that the future for me was as bright, and my voice as loud as any male next to me. In my experience, as the only woman on a team looking after a very male oriented brand (Carling), to raising money, and now in a 99% female team, I have always experienced equal opportunities. I hope that the future of feminism includes more conversation with men, a lot of them are our partners in business and in life, so for things to continue to improve we need to have their voice equally heard.
Three female-founded brands you’re a fan of?
I recently met Lauren from House of Lady Muck and Haeni from Kitri and they were both amazing! I also have two incredible friends, Zoe from Zoe Morton Jewellery and Sophie from Kalinko.
How can we make gender equality a reality?
I am reading a lot about this now, and a women named Lucy who is head of brand at Trouva, and very educated on this subject is teaching me. I think though, to make real change in the workforce we need to offer a better paternity programme across industries.
Desmond & Dempsey don’t really ‘do’ competitions or even work with influencers so much, and that’s fine! They actually skip sample sales and give all their extra products to charity too. So someone CAN win a pair of PJ’s, but it won’t be you… Oh yes, this is an ALTRUISTIC competition. (Is that a thing?! It is now!) Molly loved that we’re supporting women with out free boxes initiative – so if you’d like to WIN a pair of pyjamas for a friend going through a tough time, simply nominate someone who’s going through a hard time right here. We’ll send one person a book box AND a lovely voucher from Desmond & Dempsey so they can choose a beautiful pair of PJs.
Oh wow this is such a lovely idea. My sister has been going through a pretty tough time with work. I’d love to help to put a smile on her face & make her feel good at the end of a hard day with a gorgeous pair of PJs and one of your boxes. x
I’d like to nominate my sister- she lost her husband 4 years ago unexpectedly and very suddenly. She has struggled and worked so hard since to stay afloat, she really does deserve a treat xx
You need to add details here: http://readinginheels.com/we-care-youre-not-alone-send-a-free-book-box
Wow, such a generous thing to do. I would like to nominate mt sister in law Who has been going through a tough time since her Mum died. She could do with cheering up and we live too far away to visit often.
You need to add details here: http://readinginheels.com/we-care-youre-not-alone-send-a-free-book-box
I absolutely love this style of competition! Such a wonderful thing to do. I’d like to nominate my dear friend Rachel (we’ve been friends since school) who is going through a rather difficult situation relationship wise at the moment and I’d love to remind her that she is a strong, independent, amazing woman who deserves the world. And if she won this, it would definitely put her gorgeous smile back on her gorgeous face.
You need to add details here: http://readinginheels.com/we-care-youre-not-alone-send-a-free-book-box
my mum! she’s just injured her hands so cannot work and is feeling awful she cannot provide for her family and needs to be looked after instead of the one doing all the looking after!
Fantastic prize! My best friend os off work at the minute and could do with a nice surprise to cheer her up.
You need to add details here: http://readinginheels.com/we-care-youre-not-alone-send-a-free-book-box
A friend of mine has just said goodbye to her husband who has gone off on ‘military business’ for 7 months! She is one of the kindest people I know and she could do with a lift.
A friend of mine has just said goodbye to her husband who has gone off on ‘military business’ for 7 months leaving her to look after the children and a giant dog! She is one of the kindest people I know and she could do with a lift. A great book and some beautiful PJ’s could really help her get the sleep she deserves. Thank you.
You need to add details here: http://readinginheels.com/we-care-youre-not-alone-send-a-free-book-box
A friend of mine has just said goodbye to her husband who has gone away to work abroad for 7 months. She is one of the kindest people I know and she could do with a lift. After spending her day looking after her children and a large dog – a good book and some beautiful PJ’s would help her to get the sleep that she deserves.
You need to add details here: http://readinginheels.com/we-care-youre-not-alone-send-a-free-book-box
I’d love to win a pair for my friend, she’s in a really stressful line of work and I think these would be perfect for her to just chill out and have some much needed downtime in.
You need to add details here: http://readinginheels.com/we-care-youre-not-alone-send-a-free-book-box
I’ve always believe in paying it forward before it became a concept. I think we also know it as good karma, agreed? I have a list of well deserving people who I’d love to nominate but the one who could use a lift most is my best friend. She doesn’t know it and wouldn’t have it, but she literally saved me last year. I was drowning within myself which is hard to admit. Now it is she who is sinking. Keeping her afloat is my soul aim! PJ’s, a book and some self loving TLC is what is needed there. Good luck to all the entrants there is no single person who is more deserving than the other. Happy International Women’s Week.
You need to add details here: http://readinginheels.com/we-care-youre-not-alone-send-a-free-book-box