Charley, Laura Charley Design

Chronically ill fabric and textile designer Charley shares her honest story of building Laura Charley Design — on rest, fluctuating capacity and going at your own pace.

When I found Charley on Instagram, I knew immediately that she was exactly the kind of founder The Hues Project exists for. She's chronically ill, fiercely talented, and has built something joyful on her own terms. I wanted to share her story because it's one that deserves to be heard — not just for what she's built, but for how she's built it.

Here's Charley, in her own words.

Who is Charlie, and what is Laura Charley Design?

"I'm Charley, the chronically ill orange-obsessed fabric and textile designer behind Laura Charley Design. It all began with an obsession with colour and a desire to create joyful designs — everything from scrunchies to dungarees is designed to let everybody dress with their inner child in mind and express themselves in a rainbow's worth of colour."

Laura Charley Design actually started at university as a side hustle to help fund her studies and give her the creative freedom to follow her passions. The clothing range came later, and Charley is refreshingly honest about why it took a while:

"I never thought I was cool enough to do clothing. But I finally got fed up of being jealous of all the clothing options in the kids' section — and the beigeness of the adult section."

What does a real working day look like?

I always ask founders this because the highlight reel version helps no one. Charley's answer is one I think a lot of us can relate to.

"My working day varies immensely depending on how I'm feeling, what other plans I've got on that week, if there's events coming up. That could look like working in bed on admin, or sewing in my studio. I always try and work breaks and times for naps if I need them into my days to allow my body to rest. I'm super lucky that I have a home studio, so I can work as and when my body says it's cool."

How does chronic illness show up in your work?

This is always one of my favourite questions to ask, because the answers are never what people expect. Charley's take is something I think every founder — chronically ill or not — needs to hear.

"I think my chronic illness impacts my day to day life, working life, and the work I produce in a tonne of ways. If nothing else, it's taught me a lot about determination — and determination is something you need in spades if you're going to run your own business, whether or not you have a chronic illness or disability.

It's also taught me a lot about appreciating the small things in life. And I think that's given me the permission to fully go after my love of colour and celebrate it and share it with people. There's something about just fully embracing those little bits of joy in the day to day that's really important."

The challenges nobody talks about

I asked Charley about the specific challenges she's faced running a business with a chronic illness — with other businesses, events, platforms, people. What she said about other people's perceptions hit me hard.

"The one that actually hit the hardest for the longest time was other people's beliefs — especially the one that because I'm chronically ill, my business couldn't be a proper business. Oh no, it's obviously just a hobby to keep me occupied. Which, when you have completed years and years of training and put your entire heart and soul into something, just makes you want to scream."

And then there are events — something so many of us rely on to get visible and meet customers, but which create a very real financial risk when your health is unpredictable.

"Events are great for getting yourself out there, but you often have to book and pay for them months in advance — and if your health fluctuates and you suddenly can't attend, you've lost not only the opportunities that came with the event, but it's a financial loss too."

How have you navigated those challenges?

Charley's answer here is honest, practical, and I think genuinely useful for anyone building with fluctuating capacity.

"It just comes down to accepting that sometimes you can't do everything. No one can do everything, and it's extremely frustrating, but sometimes there's nothing you could do.

What really helps is being surrounded by an amazing community — not just of customers, but fellow creatives, and friends and family who are going to be there to prop you up when you need it. Sometimes you just need someone with you to make sure you can make it through an event — who can give you a little mini rest throughout the day, who can help you carry things."

She also points out that many larger events have staff who will help you carry stock, keep an eye on your stall while you take ten minutes, and generally make it possible to show up. It's worth knowing that support exists — and asking for it.

What does a bad day look like?

Charley didn't dress this up, and I love her for it.

"I ain't getting out of bed, to be quite honest with you. On bad days, pain levels and brain fog mean I ain't doing no work neither.

It took me a long time to realise that I'm allowed to rest. You get so frustrated with yourself that you feel like you need to work through it all the time. You don't. I've managed to build things into the way I run my business which means if I need a day in bed, I'm having a day in bed. Do I still feel guilty sometimes? Yes. But I'm gonna do those things much better after I've rested. I'm also gonna feel better quicker — which means I'm probably gonna get more done in the long run if I just take a rest."

The tools that actually help

I asked Charley to be as specific as possible here — because vague advice helps no one. She delivered.

"I'm about to be extremely cliche, especially as a surface pattern designer, and I do apologise — but I'm an Apple girly. Not only is it great for my design work, but everything syncs, and that's a dream for a girl who sometimes has to work from her bed on her phone or use her iPad while travelling to appointments. The fact that everything is accessible via different devices is so good. It's saved my bacon many a time."

And on staying visible when you can't physically show up:

"Batching, baby — and I don't mean cooking, because I'm quite honestly terrible at that. But I am great at using my energy when I have it and ensuring that I have content in the wings. B-roll footage is my best friend. Most social media sites let you make drafts, and putting together elements of B-roll is a stupid easy way to show up when you can't physically or mentally.

Also, having realistic timelines. No one cares if you're going to take a little bit longer to ship things if you let them know beforehand — which means you can have rest days if you need them, because you've planned that time in. You're not behind."

What have you had to unlearn?

This is the question I think gets to the heart of what building differently actually means.

"It's okay to build things at your own pace. You'll find that if you just go at your own pace, you may go in directions you never thought possible. I never imagined in a million years when I started Laura Charlie Design that I would be doing clothing. Didn't cross my head, didn't think I was cool enough for it, didn't think anyone would want it. And if I'd have gone a million miles an hour from day dot, I might not have found the pivot that I did.

Everybody is allowed to go at their own pace. Things are only sustainable if you do them in a way that is healthy for you. Otherwise, going at a million miles an hour could be the end that you don't want."

What would you tell another founder who feels behind?

"Just that you can do it. You will be able to solve problems and produce products that only your experience could have enabled. You will be able to run a business — and build one that works with you and enables you to work in a way that's best for you."

I couldn't have said it better myself.

What's next for Laura Charley Design?

"I have plans for a new fabric collection — there's little bits of inspiration in the back of my head that I cannot wait to get doodling on. There's also some new products I'm trying to get to a stage where they're presentable — trousers, skirts, different things like those. But yeah, basically more colour, more joyful designs, and more comfortable clothes."

I am here for all of it.

Where to find Charley:

Website: lauracharleydesign.com

Etsy: LauraCharleyDesign

Instagram / TikTok: @lauracharleydesign