Interview With Helen Stanley – Beach Club To Boutique Market

Just complete a twelvemonth ago, Helen Stanley was searching for a unsocial level to waste her manner creations. Serendipity struck erstwhile Justine Haughey of nan Kempinski Resort Bahia successful Estepona sought precisely what Helen offered. The result? The Kempinski Summer Garden Market, a resounding occurrence astatine Kempinski Hotel Bahia. “It was axenic divine timing!” Helen exclaims.

Helen, alongside her hubby Jay, who manages nan business logistics, envisioned a refined artisan and creator market. They wanted a abstraction wherever craftsmanship and originality shone through, unmarred by nan clutter of emblematic flea markets filled pinch inexpensive knock-offs. Their extremity was a venue wherever quality, creativity, and accomplishment were weighted by discerning buyers.

EWN: How did it each begin, Helen?
Helen: “I’m a manner designer, creating shot caps hand-embellished pinch Swarovski crystals. But nan only spot to waste them was a low-end flea market. At 1 market, I was placed adjacent to a vendor trading knock-off caps for €7. My caps, which I designed and spent 4 hours hand-embellishing, were my babies. I sold 1 to a young woman aft removing nan value tags, hesitant to inquire for their existent value. Her father, though, thought nan value was fair. Why should designers and artisans struggle to find a flea marketplace to showcase their work? At Kempinski, buyers link straight pinch creators, appreciating nan artistry.”

Helen’s brand, Champagne Lifestyle, reflects her fascinating journey. Once compartment unit for nan esteemed Monarch Airlines, she travelled to exotic locales, drafting inspiration from symbols for illustration nan manus of Fatima and belief healing. Settling successful Spain and moving astatine a formation nine steeped successful “champagne everything and a ceremony of life,” her marque took shape. “I wouldn’t beryllium creating this successful Poole, Dorset, wherever I utilized to live,” she says, intelligibly inspired by nan ray and manner of nan occidental Costa del Sol.

While artisan markets thrive successful places for illustration Covent Garden aliases Scandinavia, they were scarce connected Spain’s southbound seashore until Helen’s initiative. She sought a 5-star mounting for 5-star products, wherever artisans could confidently value their activity for its craftsmanship, materials, and originality. “This isn’t a flea market,” she emphasises. “It’s a designer and artisan showcase. A twelvemonth on, nary 1 has haggled complete prices.” The Costa del Sol is evolving, pinch buyers putting value earlier bargains.

Helen curates her stallholders weekly, ensuring assortment for edifice guests and visitors while giving caller artisans opportunities to show their creations. Designers and artists now recreation from crossed Spain and Europe to participate, though Helen is selective to lucifer nan venue’s upscale clientele. “I’ve received immoderate intriguing submissions,” she says pinch a wry smile.

EWN: How do you find these artisans?
Helen: “They find me. I ne'er wanted a chaotic flea marketplace feel. My imagination was a relaxed, dependable travel wherever guests and nan nationalist bask a java aliases cocktail astatine Spillers, possibly a meal, and make a time of it successful a stunning setting. It’s a leisurely experience, not a rush.”

The market’s occurrence has sparked liking from different locations, including Puerto Banús, La Cala de Mijas, and Sotogrande, inviting Helen to bring her curated artisans market. Though nan Kempinski Bahia Hotel will soon adjacent for a alteration successful ownership, Helen’s marketplace will continue. She precocious accepted an enticing connection to big nan play arena astatine La Cala Resort starting successful October.

Follow Helen Stanley connected Instagram and Facebook for much news connected nan upcoming markets.