Louise Watteau-Stone and Ben Sumpter are the duo behind coveted wellbeing brand Bouclé. After graduating together from Central Saint Martins, the two friends developed a joint interest in researching and experimenting with natural ingredients after discovering that Ben’s headaches were related to the artificially scented, chemical filled candles that he burned in their studio. From there, what started as a side business in 2020 has since organically grown into full time jobs.
Hi Ben and Louise! First off, what attracted you to your craft?
First and foremost, we are Makers, drawn to creating things with our hands that engage the senses. The combination of scent, texture and colour drew us to hand-making products that feel personal, calm and tactile. Something you can hold, smell, and experience slowly in your everyday life.
What inspired you to start your own creative business and what do you love most about running it?
After experimenting with scent blends in our home studios, we realised we could turn our love of natural ingredients and slow craft into something tangible for other people. After receiving initial positive feedback about our small selection of all natural blends, this was the push we needed to make it ‘real’.
For us, it’s the hands-on process: blending, hand-pouring and packaging every product ourselves. We love seeing ideas come to life slowly and deliberately, knowing that every part of Bouclé carries our care and attention, from scent to presentation. And being able to run your business with your friend is amazing!
What challenges do you face working for yourself?
Running a small business means wearing every hat – from production to emails to social media. It can feel endless, and some days there’s barely time to breathe. But we love the variety and the freedom to shape everything exactly how we imagine it.
What element of the making process do you enjoy the most?
Louise: The scent blending is endlessly satisfying – experimenting until a fragrance feels just right.
Ben: I love the slow, tactile process of pouring and crafting, watching raw ingredients transform into something beautiful and usable.
Do your products have an environmental focus or support a circular economy?
Yes, everything we do is made with natural, renewable ingredients, sustainable packaging and recycled materials. We design with care to minimise waste and create products that are long-lasting, refillable or reusable where possible, keeping environmental impact at the heart of our process.
Where do you find your inspiration for your scents?
Our inspiration comes from nature, memories, and daily life; gardens, seasons, colours, textures, and quiet home rituals. Everyday experiences, from a walk to a small moment at home, spark ideas that we translate into scents, colours, and products that feel tactile and considered.
Can you briefly describe your journey since leaving UAL and setting up your business?
After CSM, we started experimenting with essential oils and home fragrances at our Hackney studio (just for fun!). Gradually, what began as small batches for friends became Bouclé in 2020. We’ve since moved to our Kemptown studio and shop, managing every part of the business ourselves while keeping the craft and care at the heart of everything.
What advice would you offer new graduates wanting to start their own business?
Start small, experiment often, and embrace slow-making. Focus on what you genuinely love creating, and don’t underestimate the value of learning every part of the business. Persistence, curiosity, and care will get you further than trying to do everything “perfectly” from day one.
What are your hopes for the future?
We hope to continue growing sustainably, exploring new sensory experiences, and sharing small-batch, hand-crafted products with more homes. Long-term, we’d like Bouclé to remain a personal, considered brand while expanding thoughtfully into complementary ranges that celebrate craft and wellbeing.
Any final thoughts…?
Being a Maker is a constant learning process, but it’s deeply rewarding. We love that Bouclé allows us to combine creativity, craft, and sustainability, and every day spent making is a day we feel lucky to do what we love.
