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Entrepreneur Georgina Fihosy wanted to celebrate diversity of the UK with new card collection
A BRITISH-Nigerian pharmacist has found her calling card after a disappointing shopping trip inspired her to create a greeting cards collection that reflect and celebrate her African heritage.
Last year, the UK purchased approximately 900 million greeting cards, but in a country that is so ethnically diverse – with over 12 per cent of the population being from a black, Asian or ethnic minority (BAME) background – entrepreneur Georgina Fihosy realised that major high street stores were not representing the ethnic diversity of the nation.
The 34-year-old mother founded Special Touch Designs, her own greeting card company that celebrates her dual heritage and Britain’s diversity, last year.
Her gift for designing and hand-finishing greeting cards, which merge bold African wax print fabrics and quality textured boards, whilst on maternity leave from her profession as pharmacist.
It was then when she made the decision to nurture her creativity and create a brand that would celebrate her Nigerian heritage and culture, showcase her love for fabric and design and recognise the diversity of Britain.
Growing up, Fihosy was always known as 'the creative one' in her family.
”If there was something to be made, I would be the one to make it. Thirty something years on, it was only natural for me to move into the greeting card industry, an industry that is creative, vibrant, global and always relevant.” said Fihosy.
Brought up in a single parent household by a strong Nigerian mother, who raised five children, Fihosy's ethos in life is: dream big, live life to the full and be open to opportunities.
“Being a woman should never be a barrier to success.” states Georgina.
Even in the fast moving technological and social media age nothing truly expresses personal sentiment like greeting cards.
The first range of cards is called the ’Live in Colour’ Collection - a range of 30 distinctive cards all individually designed and hand finished in Fihosy’s home studio in Kent, UK.
The fabrics have been carefully selected on the basis of their unique patterns and vibrant colours.