At Last We Can All Go Wild

Good things come to those who wait, but combine that with talent and determination and you have the magic mix.

AS Natalie Lake, founder of Really Wild Clothing, shows us around her delightful home, a former rectory within pretty grounds in a village near Didcot, she laughs and declares: “This is supposed to be my ‘oasis of peace’ where I find the inspiration for designs!”

And no doubt it often is, although Natalie admits it sometimes seems like “90 per cent admin” rather than creative genius at the forefront of her thinking. But today there are visitors and the delightful family of four affectionate working cocker spaniels who share the Lake home are all expressive eyes and wagging tails as they beg to be let out to investigate.

Natalie is just as warm and welcoming, but it’s easy to see her business success is built on a mantra of being willing to take your time to get it right – spectacularly right.

She founded her business back in 2002 after joining the Really Wild Girls Club at the Royal Berkshire Shooting School. It soon became that clear for women who liked to shoot the dress code was simply slightly less bulky versions of what the chaps wore – hardly flattering or stylish.

With a background in interior design through working on both commercial and residential properties for London architects, it was not long before Natalie was setting her sights on more than clay targets.