Behind The Brand

Roger la Borde has been putting charming, eclectic and genuinely lovely things onto paper since 1985. Founded by sisters Alison and Jenni, the company began with a simple plan hatched by two recent graduates: to work together designing beautiful objects, and to have plenty of fun in the process. Four decades on, it is an award-winning industry leader, with both founders still at the helm and still enjoying the company of the team around them.

The brand’s output spans greeting cards, notebooks, journals, stationery and beyond. A large part of what makes it distinctive is its roster of collaborating artists and illustrators from around the world, whose work is transformed into products ranging from laser-cut cards to Pop & Slot 3D Advent calendars.

A British heritage brand

Born and bred in London, Roger la Borde describes itself as a true British heritage brand. It has stayed loyal to its original vision of creating unusual and beautiful things on paper and beyond, while championing stylish independent voices on the high street. The company has exhibited at trade fairs many times over the years and looks forward to each return.

Creativity, partnerships and a good place to work

Creativity and innovation sit at the heart of the business, which has launched a number of stationery trends over the years. The founders are proud of the long-running creative partnerships they have built with contributing artists, some of whom have been on board since the very beginning.

Just as important, however, is what happens behind the scenes. From the outset, quality of life has been valued as much as commercial success, and Alison and Jenni established a flexible, warm and human way of working. The result is a team culture with an unusually high retention rate, one the company jokes is rather like a certain famous hotel: once you check in, you never leave.

Taking creative risks

Asked what advice they would give their younger selves, the founders are clear: keep taking creative risks and never stop. The business has always had an appetite for experimentation, and while there have been missteps along the way, those missteps helped shape where the company stands today.

What’s coming next

The brand is launching a summer collection that includes two new product ranges: Flowerfield, illustrated by Carolyn Gavin, and Butterfly Garden, with artwork by Monika Forsberg. Both ranges take in illustrated journals, notecard boxes, letter writing sets and gift bags, among other items. Alongside them comes a batch of new cards, including a fresh range illustrated by the company’s most recent collaborator, Danielle Rhoda.

The team is looking forward to seeing how the pieces look mixed and matched on display, and to meeting plenty of new people at trade events, learning about their gift shops and reconnecting with familiar faces.

Sustainability

Environmental and ethical considerations have guided the company’s sourcing and manufacturing for a long time. Its association with environmental causes stretches back to the 1980s and a rainforest-themed range that raised funds for Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth.

When assessing a product or a new manufacturer, the first questions asked are whether recycled or renewable source material can be used, and whether the manufacturer complies with the relevant international standards on workforce conditions and treatment. Most of the product range now uses 100% vegetable-based inks, and the Forest Stewardship Council trademark appears on the backs of almost all cards and gift wrap, indicating that the paper meets stringent environmental standards for sourcing and monitoring.