Interview - Mama San

Cindy, the co-mastermind behind one our of favourite independent Brighton stores Mama San tells us about the store, her fascinating life and what's in store for the future...

Hello Mama San, who is the main mastermind behind your super-cute exterior? Me.  Whenever I go on holiday I always make a point in finding independent boutiques with kitsch and cute window displays.  I was in Japan last year and their displays were awesome.  Small antique shops along the south coast also have really quirky, interesting displays too.  

Is there anyone else involved in the running of Mama San? Yes, my Husband Bruce.
What did you do before Mama San? I worked as Youth Worker.  Working with young Asylum Seekers.

Are you from Brighton originally? If not, what attracted you to living here? I grew up in Hong Kong and have lived in Brighton for almost 20 years.  My Mum always wanted to live by the sea, so when she told us we were moving to Brighton from Hong Kong we followed.

What is your mission?  Promote local and national artists/designers and illustrators.  Get their work out there so they are given the credit they truly and rightly deserve.  Provide people with unusual, hand made products and a personal shop atmosphere that the High St cannot provide. 

Where do you see Mama San in 5 years time?  Expanding our sister knitwear brand - Jojo and Mac

Your best selling items include a sweater with a rabbit on and a vest with kittens on. Why do you think your customers are most attracted to these clothes?  They are handmade with love and the designs are created by up and coming designers with fresh, unique ideas.  Animal inspired products are always popular because they are cute as hell and super kitsch.  

What sort of customers do you find in your shop most often?  All types, all ages.

Why did you decide to open Mama San?  My cousins used to customise our clothes.  People always commented on her creations.  Then another friend started customising clothes too which were really cute.  After a while I came up with this idea of having a shop selling and promoting hand made pieces, mixed with other brands and some vintage.  I started looking around for outlets and a friend put me on to a landlord who had a shop to let in Gloucester Rd.  I knew it was the right shop straight away.

What's it like having a shop in Brighton, are you part of a secret shop owners club that no-one else knows about?  Its brilliant.  Gloucester Rd has a great community.  We've had lots of street parties over the years.  I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

What is your favourite thing about Brighton? The diversity of people and the liberal outlook of the people who live here

And your least favourite? High St chains moving into the Laines.

Where is all your amazing stock from? A real mix.  Local and national designers.  Small London brands.  Vintage. 

Who are you ultimate style icons? Pink Ladies (Grease) , Chloe Sevigny, Jean Seberg, Coco Chanel

You always have great music playing in your store, who are your favourite acts at the moment?  Yeah Yeah Yeah's are always at the top of my list.  But right now I'm listening to a lot of Warpaint, The Vaselines and The ABC Club