Meet The CD Team
Jaime, eternally young, Designer and Creative assistant
Tell us a bit more about yourself
I'm an avid yogi and nature lover - into all things spiritual and healing. Also an aspiring polyglot, emphases on ASPIRING! I'm creative in all aspects of my life. Food, in particular, is another love of mine, I enjoy creating healthy vegan/vegetarian dishes and sharing them with those around - if there are leftovers of course (I eat a lot). Long road trips up the coastline and 'camping' is my ultimate treat, I would love to imagine myself being an outside camper - hence the air quotes - but being in the middle of nowhere and having a thin film of fabric to protect you doesn't sound like a good time to me. I'm also an illustrator and artist at heart which is where my love for fashion first sparked. I find that creating something 3 dimensional from a simple idea and then having someone want to wear it extremely rewarding.
I stay in Cape Town in a tiny apartment facing the mountainscape, which I call my little piece of heaven. My favourite thing about Cape Town is the abundance of nature and activities we have to offer - both social and outdoors.
Name 3 hobbies that keep you busy during your free time
I'm always at the gym, it's the best therapy, as well as rollerblading - yes I am that gay. Self-help podcasts while cooking is also my jam.
EVERYTHING, but all meat of course!
TAYLOR SWANEPOEL
25, Marketing Coordinator
Tell us a bit more about yourself
I am your typical girls' girl with some tomboy love. I am 154cm so very short and your ditsy blonde. I live with my boyfriend and my two beautiful dogs, Badger and Freddie. I am a Taurus and the year of the bull, so I love hard and loud. I love laughing and having fun as life can be too short not to enjoy, so stop and smell the roses. I love carpentry, DIY, and always doing something productive, I am such a busy bee. I love some shopping, dancing and sometimes honestly just doing nothing. Fun fact, if I can be barefoot I probably will. I love playing with make-up and being silly whenever I can be.
Where do you reside and what is your favourite part of your Location?
I am based in Cape Town South Africa although I am originally from Johannesburg, I will always be a city gal. One of my Favourite things about Cape Town is how it truly allows you to connect with yourself more deeply, through nature, and through this, you're able to find safety and vulnerability in healing and living.
Name 3 hobbies that keep you busy during your free time
I love tattooing, keeping busy with random art projects, and having creative pass times. I love sitting on the beach in complete silence
What is your favourite food?
All food, at the moment, is Pasta and Potatoes in all shapes and forms.
MIA GIARDINI
Mia Giardini // 26 // Creative Marketing & Content Coordinator
Tell us a bit more about yourself
I'm a 20-something-year-old creative that loves all things bridal. Currently, I reside in Cape Town and live with my husband, our kitten Stevie, and our two rabbits, Cream Puff and Noodle. I am a textbook Pisces and love everything and anything Astrology related. I am a devoted Christian and I love spending quality time with my family & friends.
Where do you reside and what is your favourite part of your Location?
I live in the Cape Town City Bowl District. What I love most about living in the city is that I am so close to everything - I love being close to the nightlife! I have a full view of Table Mountain and I just feel so grateful to experience city life with nature as a backdrop.
Name 3 hobbies that keep you busy during your free time
In my free time, you will find me studying - currently I am furthering my studies in learning Dutch. I love doing heated Vinyasa yoga and I love reading.
What is your favourite food?
I'm married to an Italian so I'd have to say pasta - but I love anything Asian, too!
VALENTINA DA SILVA
Age & Role within CD
26 // Marketing Outreach Assistant
Tell us a bit more about yourself
Jesus is my everything. I am a big extrovert, I thrive on spending time with my people. I love reading and exploring my favourite City on the weekends as well as spending time with my family. Both my parents are European so our family get-togethers (which are always) are big and full of food! I would not have it any other way. I am extremely fortunate to have a nuclear family that supports me through all the good and the bad.
Where do you reside and what is your favourite part of your location?
I live in the heart of Constantia, in Cape Town, and my favourite part of my location is the access gate to walk/run within the vineyards as there are a lot of wine farms that surround my home. I often wake up early to go for a walk through the vineyards and grab a coffee at the coffee shop at the closest wine farm before work. The early morning golden light is the reason I get out of bed at the crack of dawn.
Name 3 hobbies that keep you busy during your free time
During my free time, I love reading and watching a good series in between my workouts: Swimming, Running & any HIT Workouts!
What is your favourite food?
Sushi without a doubt!
NATASHA REID
Age & Role within CD
30, Sales and Business Development Lead
Tell us a bit more about yourself
I’m originally from Durham (A north-East city in the UK) and have lived South of the UK for the past 10 years, I studied a BA in Costume with Performance Design and my background is garment construction/design for the stage in which I worked in Theatre in London and abroad. I love anything fashion related – history of fashion, textile techniques, embroidery, design processes, and Art exhibitions. My favourite museums are the Fashion and Textiles Museum in London and The Met NYC. Since entering the Bridal-world I’ve enjoyed working with varied designers in retail management and buying– I’m very excited to start with Catherine Deane as I have a wide interest in Sustainably and love how versatile the collections are.
Where do you reside and what is your favourite part of your location?
I live in Clapham South London but love venturing to different parts of the city – I love Notting Hill Portobello Road for its markets and vibes but my favourite spot in London is South- Bank for its views, coffee at Monmouth, and for food at my fav restaurant Mallow. I follow a Vegan/ Veggie diet and enjoy checking out new brunch spots. My go-to after work would probably be a Grind Espresso Martini in Soho with some live music! I’m also a bit of an oldie when it comes to music- I love any Soul/ Disco tunes and always try to get to a music festival once a year.
Name 3 hobbies that keep you busy during your free time
During my free time, I enjoy keeping active with Barry’s Bootcamp, Yoga, and 1Rebel – I try to mix classes up with exercising outdoors and love a run around Battersea Park. Also, very cliché – but I love traveling to enjoy city breaks, beach holidays, and spontaneous adventures. I appreciate soaking up new cultures and exploring new countries - I most recently celebrated my 30th in Copenhagen with my friends which were fab. I used to work in performance on Cruise-ships and would escape on port days- my favourite places visited are Vancouver and Alaska. My favourite city is New York!
My Zen activities are going for London walks or chilling out with a cup of tea at home, watching HOBH or Ru Paul with Mr. Beau (the proudest Turkish Angora cat!).
What is your favourite food?
Vegan Pizza!
KAAMILA QAZI
Age & Role within CD
Kaamila, 34, Key Account and Sales Strategy
Tell us a bit more about yourself
Live. Love. Laugh. Eat. that's my motto! I live in London with my fiancé Oliver and our British shorthair, Nala. I've spent most of my career working with SMEs mainly in the 3rd sector and it's been a lovely and refreshing experience joining Catherine Deane and the bridal industry. I am a travel and food addict! I love to travel, visiting over 40 countries so far with many more to follow. I love experiencing other cultures through their food.
Where do you reside and what is your favourite part of your location?
I live in London, West London specifically and if I was taking you to my favourite area it would have to be Richmond Park and the local pub!
Name 3 hobbies that keep you busy during your free time
I am either planning my next adventure, booking a restaurant or 5, and keeping my small online shop of ethically and sustainable suitably sourced homeware alive!
What is your favourite food?
is this a trick question? Couldn't possibly pick 1 but if I had to it would be my mum's prawn curry.
AGNES NG
Age & Role within CD
Agnes, 33, Senior Merchandiser
Tell us a bit more about yourself
I'm a Hongkonger, who relocated to England with my husband, Sunny, and my daughter, Zita in Oct 2021. It is a big challenge for all of us to relocate to a new country but we are very thankful to have many nice people around here. And lucky enough for me to join Catherine Deane's family. I worked in fashion brands for many years and have expertise in merchandising and planning. It's a lovely experience joining Catherine Deane and the bridal industry.
Where do you reside and what is your favourite part of your location?
I live in East London. There are so many places in London I will still need to explore and look around.
Name 3 hobbies that keep you busy during your free time
Shopping, food, travelling
What is your favourite food?
There is a lot of food I like! Japanese food and Thai food will be my favourite food if I need to name them.
HOLLIE BROWN
Age & Role within CD
21, Merchandising Assistant
Tell us a bit more about yourself
I graduated from Fashion Business School last year, so I love anything to do with art, fashion & textiles! I’ve worked in the Bridal Industry since I was 15, so you can say I have a passion for fashion!!
Where do you reside and what is your favourite part of your Location?
I currently live in Hampshire with my family but hoping to move to London very soon! Hampshire is such a beautiful part of England but I can't wait to live and experience London!
Name 3 hobbies that keep you busy during your free time
I love visiting different art & fashion exhibitions, so can't wait to do more of this when I move to London! I also love drawing/colouring - I find it relaxing as it helps clear my mind. I'm also a sucker for a good tv series or movie marathon!
What is your favourite food?
it's got to be Italian or Wagamamas (honestly, their Katau curry is the best)!!
LIA CALEY
Age & Role within CD
Lia, 19, Bridal Customer Assistant
Tell us a bit more about yourself
I’ve loved dancing and performing since I was 8 years old! I’m also a firm believer in Retail therapy. Hunting for new perfumes is my favvvouriteee. I love all things girly even though when I was younger I would cry if my mum put me in a dress. Now I’m surrounded by them haha!! I love everything to do with the 80s- music, fashion, hair, films I love it all!
Where do you reside and what is your favourite part of your location?
I live in South East London. I love going to Bluewater which is a quite well-known shopping centre nearby.
Name 3 hobbies that keep you busy during your free time
Watching cheesy 80s rom coms and true crime, baking mine, and my mum's signature shortbread, and doing my gel nails
What is your favourite food?
I’m going to get specific here but cheesy jalapeño bites and cinnamon bagels!
JOANNA STONE-KHAN
Age & Role within CD
Old enough to know better & Freelance Bridal Stylist
Tell us a bit more about yourself
I am a happy bridal stylist who loves my job and my team. I live in North London. I have two amazing grown sons and a gorgeous fluffy cat, Gatsby.
Where do you reside and what is your favourite part of your location?
Favourite bits of London are Hampstead Heath and our lovely brown Thames river.
Name 3 hobbies that keep you busy during your free time
I love Cinema, dancing, travel, and 'hanging out and eating out in London.
What is your favourite food?
Fave food, Malaysian, cheese, ice cream, and fine dining.
HELEN CUI
Age & Role within CD
Over 18 & Merchandising Manager at CD HKO
Tell us a bit more about yourself
I am out-going and enjoy nature, work, and life.
Where do you reside and what is your favourite part of your location?
Hong Kong is my home and here I can have everything— the family I love, good food, the mountain, and the sea.
Name 3 hobbies that keep you busy during your free time
Sleeping, Aerobic, Cycling & Swimming
What is your favourite food?
My mum's dumpling
ROSA CHENG
Age & Role within CD
26, and I am a Sample Merchandiser.
Tell us a bit more about yourself
An art lover, who always appreciates bold colour choices and curve lines.
Where do you reside and what is your favourite part of your location?
I am living in Hong Kong and one of my favourite locations here is Disneyland, you can’t say no to a place served with fantasy and roller coaster rides, also it allows you to wear slightly dramatic outfits and makeup.
Name 3 hobbies that keep you busy during your free time
Watching movies, reading, and colouring, I am not much of an outdoorsy person, rather than physical exercise I would prefer a relaxed and peaceful environment and sit there all day.
What is your favourite food?
Any seafood or chocolate will do.
MAIZE SO
Age & Role within CD
18+, Merchandiser
Tell us a bit more about yourself
2 kids mom, work hard and play very hard too!
Where do you reside and what is your favourite part of your location?
Hong Kong, Home sweet home - TKO
Name 3 hobbies that keep you busy during your free time
Eating, Hiking, and Cooking!
What is your favourite food?
Sushi, Bubble tea, Chocolate, and Ice-cream