Island Life August/September 2018

Prestige Property
Island-inspired designs
When up-and-coming young textile artist Monique
Lucas launched her first collection of vibrant luxury
cushions, it was easy to see where her inspiration came
from – idyllic summers on the beach here in Seaview.
The bold and quirky handdrawn
illustrations featured
seaside motifs from crabs and
anchors to beach-strolling girls.
And that sunny marine
influence comes through just as
strongly in her newly-launched
collection of organic cotton
t-shirts, also inspired by happy
times spent on the Island.
“Essentially the Isle has a
very special place in my heart”
explains Monique, who lives
and works between London
and the Island. “It’s been
a happy place for me after
experiencing trauma, and
this brand has evolved from
regaining my strength.
She adds “l love the laid-back
attitude and calming pace here,
and in creating my designs I
like to put a strong focus on the
outdoors, and natural living”.
Each of her designs is
hand-drawn and tells its own
story, which makes this ownname
brand unique, in a
world of generic Photoshop
and Illustrator images.
Check out Monique’s designs
at www.moniquelucas.co.uk
Picture by Milo Hale
Double celebration at Number 66
A Ryde shop that
specialises in lovely cards
and gifts for special
occasions is due to
celebrate a special date
of its own in August.
Sue Macleod and her twin
sister Jane, who launched
Number 66 last summer, are
planning to mark the shop’s first
anniversary on August 17 with
birthday cake for customers.
“We love meeting people and
searching out unusual cards
and gifts, so for us this business
has been a dream come true”
says Sue, who has lived on the
Isle of Wight for 28 years.
Her sister, who moved to the
Island just three days before
the launch of Number 66 last
summer, had previously built a
successful chain of card and gift
stores on the mainland, while
Sue had worked in marketing.
The twins decided they finally
wanted to work together, and have
spent the last year developing
their shop’s unique offering of
hand-picked gifts and cards, and
work by local artists. There’s also
a tiny coffee bar in the window
area, offering Island Coffee, and a
perfect spot to relax and admire
the wide range of gifts on display.
Find Number 66 at 66 Union
Street, Ryde. Tel: 01983 616437.
www.visitilife.com 25