This week I’d love to introduce you to Cheri Flewell-Smith the Designer and Director of The New Punjab Trading Co, a lifestyle brand and online destination that presents a curated selection of India’s finest homewares, fashion accessories and gifts.

After a successful career in the advertising industry and then as co-director of cult label, LOLA&BAILEY, Cheri realised she wanted to return to her family heritage and create a range that was handcrafted using traditional techniques in various village across India. And so, The New Punjab Trading Co was born.

Defined by a mix of modern, eclectic and ethnic products, The New Punjab Trading Co avoids chintzy Bollywood-style and instead brings a subtle touch of the Orient.

This is a day in Cheri’s life..

Cheri Flewell-Smith, Designer and Director of The New Punjab Trading Co

6.00 am 
I’m not going to lie, the alarm goes off and part of me wants to press snooze and catch a few more hours of shuteye, but I don’t. I can rest when I’m dead! I force myself out of bed and start the day with a cooked breakfast. Hopefully cancelled out by the peppermint tea. On a good day, I’ll even hit the the gym before breakfast, but not today!

8.00 am
After a quick scroll through Instagram, it’s straight to my emails. I pack any orders and get them ready for the Post Office. Then I get stuck into designing, ordering, tweaking, refining and research for new collections over more than a few cups of chai!

3.00 pm
I give my suppliers a ring to get the latest update on the next collection. It takes a while and the connection isn’t the best. After about half an hour of catching up on their families and filling them in on mine, we get to business. I have to admit, I love hearing about their families and what’s happening. I hang up promising that I’ll come and visit in the next few months.

5.00 pm
I’m absolutely pooped. Time for some chocolate and a hard-earned break.
Don’t even want to think about dinner.

11.00 pm
I’m back in front of the computer and everyone has gone to bed, sending off some final emails over a sneaky glass of wine!

You can stay in touch with Cheri and The New Punjab Trading Co by following them on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.