Curiouser has been a Women-led business since we opened in 2010. Laura and Rachel are two sisters who steer the business forward. With almost an entirely female crew, we focus on collaboration and empowering each other. Girl Power!
Laura & Rachel by Kim Smith aka Poosac.
You may not be aware but we add our invisible touch to everything. We do it all. If we share photos of new products - you have most likely seen our hands, backs and heads as we double up as models. Anna and Amelia are our management team, in-house graphic designers and photographers. But every single staff member has so much talent! Enjoy getting to know our amazing Crew in this joyful random order.
Anna and Amelia working on a photoshoot.
Alice B Simpson is a cat sticker wizard and a very good human all around. With heaps of talent and an absurd sense of humour, she adds so much hilarity to our group chat. Alice stays true to her unique brush stroke drawing style and witty art/political commentary driven by a strong sense of social justice. You can find Alice's prints of hermit crabs carrying around large houses and a famous pink Pat's Arse print in our shop browsers. Right now, what we love the best are Alice's cat stickers. She is currently a mom to two fluffy kittens.
The Horrors sticker by Alice B Simpson, photo by Amelia R Smith, Alice at her desk by Anna York.
Anneleen Lindsay is an award winning photographer who constantly stands up for justice. We learn so much from her research and humanness. Her photography focuses on creative storytelling portraiture, wild landscapes and the interplay between people and their environments. She is currently continuing her work documenting the Kings Theatre renovation and keeps capturing human rights movements and community initiatives across Edinburgh. She is a mom to two incredible daughters.
Award winning photographs by Anneleen Lindsay, Anneleen by
Fiona Purves can paint your pet in a way that will make you squeal and cry some happy tears as pet portraits are her absolute forte. Fiona has been an important part of Curiouser for years and has helped give shape to our Bruntsfield shop. Kind and knowledgeable, she has her own framing following. We sell some of Fiona's beautiful prints in our shops including ever so popular A-Z prints. Her sweet friendly dog is called Jeffers and they often walk along the shores of Loch Lomond.
Bertie (Amelia's dog) by Fiona Purves, A photograph of Fiona Sketching by Anneleen.
Rebecca Sheerin is a fantastic, award winning illustrator who delivers bright and whimsical riso prints to our browsers. Rebecca is now represented by an agent and makes beautiful book covers for young adult adventure books. Kind and observant, she has a great eye for details and we love the way she organises our Broughton Street drawers. What a gem. (also, we read the same books!)
Rebecca's cover for Little Women, Rebecca herself holding her riso prints by Anna York.
Naomi Culpin had been working in designing and making prostheses before she joined our ranks. She has been applying her skills in healthcare setting as well as entertainment industry, making prosthetics with precision and skill. Naomi also makes evocative etchings, which not many people know. With her vibrant nature she has been a huge help during impromptu photoshoots, becoming our star model and a hot beverage elf.
Medical prosthesis in progress, a cranial plate and an ear prosthesis, etching, all by Naomi, Naomi modelling a Curiouser Collection hat by Anna York.
Anna York is a Jack of all trades. Every time we look, she's immersed in a new creative project. Anna is a photographer and an artist, maker of magnificent Planet Prints. She sings and performs polyphonic Georgian music. She also works with Nil By Mouth - charity educating against sectarianism in Scottish schools. Recently, she began crafting unique clay earrings. As part of our management team, Anna brings her community focus in writing blogs and interviewing people we care about. She oversees and often paints shop windows and adds valuable hand in our group management effort to deal with everyday shop running business. Did we say she recently started working as a holistic therapist? Mum to a sweet small boy.
Yarrow & Snow earrings and screen-print by Anna York, photo by Amelia.
Amelia Ratcliffe-Smith is the kindest, most helpful person you can imagine. A talented photographer and videographer, she shows her skills by putting together Curiouser newsletters and social media posts. Amelia plays a key role within the management team, overseeing orders and keeping us all informed and entertained with the latest curious adventures and shenanigans. Something not many people know about Amelia is that her youth was spent training and riding horses and even competing (successfully!) in British dressage. We love Amelia's easy laughter and her smart brain. She has a mighty little Bertie dog.
Amelia on a photoshoot, at Edinburgh Castle and holding a No-Face notebook.
Laura Clifford is the business founder and the ultimate Goddess of all things Curious. Smart, kind and funny, she follows her vision in imagining what each season will bring to the shops as she personally chooses all the books, homewares and cards that find their way to Curiouser. Together with her sister, Laura has a real talent at spotting unique makers and artists whom she invites as stockists. Our incredible supplies change so quickly thanks to her vision. Now fulfilling her dream of a cottage home in East Lothian, she walks her gentle greyhound Smudge through forests and fields, often cooking tons of potatoes for community dinners.
Rachel Clifford has always been part of the team, even when working in the healthcare sector. She would gracefully help out; pick up a shift, paint, advise customers with framing or cheer up staff members with a giant panettone. Now, fully imbedded in Curiouser as one of the partners - she makes sure that all the day to day tasks get done, that the shops stay open and there is enough holidays for each of us to enjoy. Hidden from view, Rachel keeps an eye on our artwork supply and manages all of the complex framing jobs. You wouldn't believe how many calls and emails she gets in a day. With a beautiful drive and unbelievable care she is present and gets the s***t done. She has a fluffy Molly cat and gives great hugs.
Rachel on Roka London photoshoots.
Camilla Duke (she/they) has chosen an academic career for herself. Camilla is a trainee counsellor and loves reading, running, and exploring Edinburgh’s many bookshops. Originally from the US, she’s been living in Scotland for six years, and Edinburgh for a year and a half. Before returning to life as a postgraduate student, they worked as a bookseller, campaign organizer, and educational assistant. She’s been at Curiouser for most of that time and loves washi tape, candles, and trying to recommend books to every customer who peruses our bookshelves. Most importantly, she prides herself on befriending our canine regulars at the Bruntsfield shop.
Camilla and their happy places.
Lastly, it is important to say that we love our men colleagues dearly. Scott is working towards his PHD in Scottish Film and is an incredibly kind and helpful man - the qualities we shall be praising for eternity. Ian - Laura's husband - is now mostly retired and after years of hard work - explores the stage as a stand up comedian. We are yet to be allowed in the audience.
Delicious Curiouser Christmas dinner in summer.
And an honorary mention to Alan (our forever tech guru and handyman) and Kim (aka the Poosac emporium) who worked with us until recently and whom we miss dearly. Both feature in the above picture.
Here is a cheerful shout out to our Amazing Crew! We are stronger together!