Agni Tilla + Kate Spade Saturday — Just in Time for Summer

Attention Kate Spade lovers (presumably all of you, Lemonettes): there’s a new kid on the block — and she’s pretty trendy. Most of you probably know about — and are borderline obsessed with — Kate Spade’s newer, more affordable line Saturday. But less of you are probably aware that the company has teamed up with designer Agni Tilla of timepiece brand May28th for a super fresh watch line.

Born in Latvia, Tilla’s first move was to “pluck up the courage” to move to Canada where she saw a gap in the marketplace for fun, affordable timepieces. In 2010 she created the May28th line to fill that gap. A year later, Tilla expanded the brand to Kuala Lampur, Malaysia — due in part to a job location change for her husband — and through that, developed a partnership with current Managing Director, Gillian Johnson, who is also Godmother to Tilla’s son.

In addition to running an international business, Tilla’s got a full family life at home in London. The SLM ladies got to e-chat with Tilla and ask her all of our questions about Saturday, May28th and what she likes to do off the clock. And we promise, the watch puns end here.

Sweet Lemon Mag: Your international history is impressive. Did starting outside the U.S. and trying to break in cause any setbacks for you in terms of helping your designs/line gain popularity in the U.S.?

Agni Tilla: Actually, it was the U.S. market that discovered May28th first! I created May28th when I was living in Toronto in 2010 and 90% of orders in the first year were from the U.S. In my opinion, U.S. customers are more open to new products and interesting stories. The U.S. gave us our first taste of press; I’m very lucky and thankful to Lauren Murrow (formerly an editor at New York Magazine back in 2010), who noticed May28th watches and wrote a feature on the brand. The feature totally changed my life and encouraged me to establish and pursue May28th as a brand. (Read it here!)

 

SLM: Give us a quick rundown on your new partnership with Kate Spade Saturday. How did this come about? What can we expect from this exciting new pairing?

AT: The collaboration with Kate Spade Saturday was definitely another “life changing” event for May28th and we couldn’t be happier that they picked us as their partners. From the beginning when we were in discussions  with Kate Spade Saturday, we knew that it was going to be exciting and challenging experience for us. Without giving anything away, let’s just say we have amazing styles coming out in Kate Spade Saturday’s Summer Collection, so be sure to look out for it!

 

SLM: Tell us about the girl you’ve designed the Kate Spade Saturday line for. Did you have a type of girl in mind behind your inspiration?

AT: The watches for Kate Spade Saturday were created in very close collaboration with the Kate Spade Saturday team. Kate Spade Saturday already had their “girl” in mind; however, I think both brands – May28th and Kate Spade Saturday – aim to create designs for girls who are positive, active, love bright colors and most of all – enjoy having fun.

 

SLM: If you could pick one celebrity to be the spokes girl for May28th with Kate Spade who would it be?

AT: I think both May28th and Kate Spade Saturday are such positive brands. The first person that I picture smiling and always having fun is Kate Hudson.

 

SLM: You have a full career with May28th and now the new pairing with Kate Spade Saturday. But you also have a very full family life at home! Any tips for women trying to “have it all”?

AT: I believe you can “have it all” if you do what you love, if you are honest with yourself and others and if you’re brave in facing changes. If I did not pluck up the courage to move from Latvia to Canada, I probably wouldn’t have May28th now. Moreover, had my husband not taken his job in Malaysia when May28th just started, I wouldn’t have this amazing partnership with Canadian designer Gillian, who is my best friend and my son, Toms’ godmother. There are so many things that I have done that wouldn’t sound rational to most people, but they somehow were the right decisions for me. Of course, there were times that I got scared about those decisions, but I always ask myself honest questions and follow my gut instincts, and with those principles, I believe that things always work out in the end.

 

SLM: What would you say is the most challenging part of being an entrepreneur?

AT: I believe the biggest challenge starts when you have employees to manage. It was basically just two of us, Gillian and myself, for the first 2 years of May28th and everything was easier back then. We could make decisions in one day and implement new ideas in the next. At the moment, we have a team of 9 people and we are all based in 5 different countries. It’s pretty challenging to even have a meeting together, but we believe the bigger the challenge, the more rewarding it will be. We truly have an amazing team.

 

SLM: Do you have any advice for other women with a passion they want to turn into a business?

AT: My advice for women who want to turn their passion into a business? Just do it as soon as possible! If it’s a real passion, it will work out no matter what. Even if it doesn’t work out the way you want or be an immediate success, you will learn so much from your first attempt and keep learning until you succeed – be it earlier or later.

 

SLM: Saturdays, to us, mean hanging out, relaxing, de-stressing from the week. And Kate Spade Saturday really embraces that carefree attitude that you feel on the weekend. How do you decompress from your busy schedule?

AT: With a 24/7 online business, an 18-month old baby and traveling every second month or so, it is pretty hard to find time to relax. I think I’m still learning how to do that. But I do love Kate Spade Saturday’s idea to bring the carefree spirit of the weekend to everyday life. We think giving ourselves small, simple treats – like yoga in the middle of the day, extended breakfast on weekdays, having meetings outside the office – can definitely help recharge our batteries. I noticed that doing the same routine every day made me more stressed, so I much preferred an active, spontaneous day. Besides, what’s the point of having your own business if you can’t make your everyday work routine an enjoyable one?

SLM: What are your favorite blogs and magazines – for style, news, even gossip?

AT: Growing up in Latvia, we had limited access to international magazines. When I came to Toronto, I spent most of my free time standing next to magazine stands and in the library, reading. I think I know most of the big magazines by now, but it’s still pretty unreal to see May28th published in magazines like ELLE, Marie Claire and People. It really does feels like a dream sometimes. Since I don’t have that much time to browse through magazines anymore, I prefer online publications like NYMag, Refinery29, NYLON, Design Milk, Daily Candy and others. I have added Sweet Lemon Magazine to my bookmarks as well!

Check out May28th & Kate Spade Saturday — or just go straight to May28th to check out the full line of fun watches. At this affordable price point, we’re stocking up on a few to cheer us up on those bleak Monday mornings.

 

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