S7 E5: What makes a standout retail range? Buyer–Designer partnerships and the story behind Everley Studio

In this episode, we’re joined by two absolute gems of the design world - Sarah Spires and Rachel Perkins - the creative duo and big-hearted energy behind Everley Studio.

Before launching Everley, Sarah and Rachel spent years inside retail working for some of the biggest names on the UK high street: Next, George, F&F, and Laura Ashley. Between them, they’ve designed across womenswear, menswear, kids, knitwear, swim, and everything in between. They’ve lived the fast-paced, slightly chaotic, always creative world of in-house design and now they’re pouring all of that experience into Everley Studio, their thriving independent design business built on collaboration, flexibility, and genuinely great vibes.

Everley Studio brings together a talented crew of designers who partner with brands to build thoughtful, commercial, beautifully crafted ranges. Their model offers businesses the flexibility of project-based support while giving their team the freedom to work in a way that sparks creativity a win for everyone involved.

In our conversation, Sarah and Rachel take us behind the scenes of their journey, sharing how they first got started in design and the twists and turns that shaped their careers. They open up about the unique (and sometimes emotional!) dynamics between buyers, designers, and merchandisers, what truly makes a great buyer–designer partnership, and the moments that put those relationships to the test. They reflect on the buyers they loved working with most not naming names, but highlighting the skills and behaviours that set those collaborations apart and explain why trust, communication, and compromise are the secret sauce behind every standout range. Sarah and Rachel also reveal what inspired them to start Everley Studio, what they’ve learned while building a creative business from the ground up, how AI is influencing the future of design without ever replacing the human touch, and even share a look at the trends they’re already spotting for the seasons ahead.

We also dive into the emotional investment designers bring to their work, how they handle feedback, where creativity meets commercial strategy, and how the industry is shifting toward more flexible, adaptive ways of working.

And of course… we end with a bit of retail therapy!

Our Three Key Takeaways:
1) The Power of Relationships:
 Success in design and retail hinges on strong, collaborative partnerships between buyers, designers, and merchandisers. Trust, open communication, and understanding each other’s pressures and perspectives are what turn good ideas into great products.

2) Flexibility and Adaptability:
 Fashion is evolving fast. Everley Studio’s agile, project-based model shows how embracing new ways of working creates opportunity, resilience, and space for creativity to thrive.

3)  Embracing Technology - Without Losing the Human Touch:
 AI is transforming design, speeding up processes and unlocking new possibilities. But creativity, intuition, and emotional connection still sit at the heart of great design. The future belongs to those who can blend innovation with humanity.

This episode is packed with industry insights, honest reflections, funny stories, and practical advice for anyone navigating the world of fashion desig