A Common Thread with Lisa Mehydene of edit58

We love nothing better than gathering together inspiring women and sharing their stories to inspire even more of us. We talk to fellow female firecrackers about the missions that drive us and the passions that bind us - be they guilty pleasures, business ambitions or late night chocolate.

Let’s set the scene: please introduce yourself in one sentence

I’m Lisa, the Founder and Creative Director of edit58 - we collaborate with artisans from around the world to bring one-of-a-kind homewares to our independent online store.

If you were to choose one female icon, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?

I’m going to pick Tina Turner. She was my first experience of a live music concert (NEC Birmingham 1985!) She is the original strong female performer - overcoming personal hardships to be a global superstar. She paved the way for other females in the music industry (and beyond) and that voice and stage presence will never leave me.

What’s your favourite colour in your wardrobe?

Navy – it’s such a classic. I love it as denim, in knitwear and I am particularly partial to a navy leather handbag. It’s a colour that always looks chic and makes me feel pulled together! This season I’m finding myself reaching for brown and Bordeaux tones too.

What passion drives you?

In terms of business, I am driven by my original business idea - to create one of a kind homewares, made with love.

Your most recent Insta or Etsy discovery?

I’m obsessed with beautiful ceramic work of Lisa Sander. I originally found her through The Shop Floor project - which led me to her Instagram. She is now a new artist with Partnership Editions, and I’m hoping to start collecting some pieces by her very soon.

Best podcast you have listened to in the past 6 months?

As someone who works alone most of the time, podcasts are a great replacement for colleagues and workplace chatter. I always love ‘Up with The Lark’ and the chats Calandre Orton has with fellow creatives. Her podcast is informative, inspiring and reassuring. It covers topics that I want dissected as a business owner in the creative industry. Calandre also popped my podcast cherry when she kindly invited me on to discuss collaborations in 2019. I don’t know if my episode helped others, but all of her other guests have helped me immensely on my business journey.

If you could invite any 3 women - dead or alive - to drinks who would you invite? What are you drinking?

I would invite both of my late Nans and Queen Elizabeth II. I reckon they would all get along and there would be a lot to chat about. We’d no doubt be drinking G&T’s as it was a favourite tipple for my grandparents.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Perusing properties on websites such as Inigo / Bluebook etc that I can’t afford. I like to critically dismiss each for some ridiculous reason, as though that’s the dealbreaker and not the ££££ price tag.

What would your cross stitch pillow say?.

I choose “I had my patience tested, Im negative” but one saying “I have a pillow problem’ or “rug addict” would probably be very appropriate for me too.