For me, 2014 has been about opening doors, stepping boldly and creatively into unfamiliar environments, celebrating success and making a few mistakes.
At MSL our year started with a team meeting on Thursday 9 January. We talked animatedly about 2013 and discussed what we wanted to achieve in 2014. We mused on how our brand had grown organically and how our values and personality as seen by our clients and customers was working for us. Our magazine, events and social media presence had engaged a diverse range of people and their interests. We also committed ourselves to developing at least one new product.
As the year progressed, international brands contacted us to find new ways of collaborating; I received messages from people I had not seen for a long time; I served as a judge on a number of Awards panels; was filmed for a crowd funding initiative; and of course, met many friends.
And our new product? On Monday 17 November we celebrated our 4th birthday and launched our Semple Magazine Issue VI and also our first women’s wear collection. A major collaboration with the British Library and designer Laura Ralph.
And while I am very excited what 2015 will bring, I can’t wait to sit with the team on Monday 5 January 2015 to reflect on a TS Eliot quote: “For last year’s words belong to last year’s language And next year’s words await another voice. “
Maggie Semple