What do you think?
Coming up roses
From a very early age Cath Kidston loved to play shop - whether she was selling the contents of her mother's store cupboard back to her or her aunt's vegetables to passers-by from a tray on the pavement. Almost half a century later Cath Kidston has become an internationally acclaimed household name and playing shop has become a serious game. From a small shop in West London, Cath has grown a simple idea into an iconic British brand with stores all over the UK and as far away as Japan and Thailand. Her story is that of an entrepreneur. The questions she is most frequently asked relate to how she started out and how she s managed to grow a business in challenging times. As the company celebrates its twentieth birthday, Cath Kidston shares the story of how her idea for modern vintage came about, how the business was born and the journey she and the company have taken over the past two decades. Cath tells of her experiences, both good and bad, and gives an insight in to what it takes to build a brand. Coming up Roses is the quirky and unexpected story of one of Britain's best-loved businesses.
- GenresNonfictionBusinessDesign
144 pages, Hardcover
First published April 25, 2013
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 16, 2015
*3.5 stars, rounded up to 4*
This book was on sale at Popular, so I got it for a song. I've always known about Cath Kidston, and I like the pretty designs, so I figured I'd like a book about how the business was built.
Coming Up Roses was written to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Cath Kidston brand (I found out that Cath Kidston was founded in the same year that I was born!), and covers things such as her childhood, which influenced her style, her working life before she started the shop, the first few years of Cath Kidston, the growing pains, and so on. And of course, it's lavishly illustrated, with many photos and a series of prints in the middle of the book.
While the book is short, I did enjoy reading about the history of Cath Kidston. The brand came out from Cath Kidston's love of marrying antiques with modernity, and while I don't like every single piece that the brand comes out with, I do like quite a lot of it. It also made me want to go out and buy something from the shop, so I guess it was a fairly successful book.
The thing that I didn't like of the book was that it so heavily borrowed from the interviews with Cath Kidston. That by itself is fine, but it's jarring to read about Cath Kidston in third person, then have pages and pages of text referring to "I". I would have much preferred that the book be written either entirely in first or in third (I like first better, because it's a very warm, engaging voice).
You won't get much business advice in this book - it's very much a follow your heart, try your best and things will somehow be ok type of book - but it's a lovely, encouraging read all the same. It's probably suited to fans of the brand, and for entrepreneurs who need a dose of encouragement.
This review was first posted at Inside the mind of a Bibliophile
This book was on sale at Popular, so I got it for a song. I've always known about Cath Kidston, and I like the pretty designs, so I figured I'd like a book about how the business was built.
Coming Up Roses was written to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Cath Kidston brand (I found out that Cath Kidston was founded in the same year that I was born!), and covers things such as her childhood, which influenced her style, her working life before she started the shop, the first few years of Cath Kidston, the growing pains, and so on. And of course, it's lavishly illustrated, with many photos and a series of prints in the middle of the book.
While the book is short, I did enjoy reading about the history of Cath Kidston. The brand came out from Cath Kidston's love of marrying antiques with modernity, and while I don't like every single piece that the brand comes out with, I do like quite a lot of it. It also made me want to go out and buy something from the shop, so I guess it was a fairly successful book.
The thing that I didn't like of the book was that it so heavily borrowed from the interviews with Cath Kidston. That by itself is fine, but it's jarring to read about Cath Kidston in third person, then have pages and pages of text referring to "I". I would have much preferred that the book be written either entirely in first or in third (I like first better, because it's a very warm, engaging voice).
You won't get much business advice in this book - it's very much a follow your heart, try your best and things will somehow be ok type of book - but it's a lovely, encouraging read all the same. It's probably suited to fans of the brand, and for entrepreneurs who need a dose of encouragement.
This review was first posted at Inside the mind of a Bibliophile
January 1, 2014
This book is beautiful inside and out. Easy to read and really interesting. About the life of Cath Kidston and her trials and triumphs of setting up her own business. Cath never gave up on her goals and now she is reaping the rewards of her hard work.
April 10, 2018
I was drawn to this book by - yes, brace yourself - the front cover... Terrible, I know! But.. it happens to some of the best of us at times and this helps us to discover some truly good books.
While I enjoyed the book - I found in places it was a bit boring but I did enjoy finding out the history of Cath Kidston and how she was thrown into a world of business and success, the book doesn't really give much of an insight into the Kidston business, a lot of the business ventures taken were almost 'winging it' and 'going with it', which is quite a different way to go as it all could have fallen flat on its face but Kidston seems to be very much a 'follow your heart' kinda woman and she's been in the right place at the right time (that's not to say she hasn't worked hard because she has) and it's worked to her advantage, luckily!
The book itself is quite short for a biography and for me it's kind of oddly written as it's mostly in 3rd person and whilst Kidston has her input most of the book was written through interviews and that for me was a bit bizarre as at some points it's written in 1st person and so it felt a little mixed up for a biography, surely it's either written by another author or Cath herself.. The fact this book was short really was quite a benefit in this respect!
The brand is shown throughout the book in photos as is parts of Kidston's life through photographs from her childhood and big events in her life etc. This is a nice touch and allows the reader to connect with Cath Kidston as a persona and not just the famous brand which is so widely known. I'd recommend this to big CK fan's as they would probably enjoy it far more than the average Joe.
While I enjoyed the book - I found in places it was a bit boring but I did enjoy finding out the history of Cath Kidston and how she was thrown into a world of business and success, the book doesn't really give much of an insight into the Kidston business, a lot of the business ventures taken were almost 'winging it' and 'going with it', which is quite a different way to go as it all could have fallen flat on its face but Kidston seems to be very much a 'follow your heart' kinda woman and she's been in the right place at the right time (that's not to say she hasn't worked hard because she has) and it's worked to her advantage, luckily!
The book itself is quite short for a biography and for me it's kind of oddly written as it's mostly in 3rd person and whilst Kidston has her input most of the book was written through interviews and that for me was a bit bizarre as at some points it's written in 1st person and so it felt a little mixed up for a biography, surely it's either written by another author or Cath herself.. The fact this book was short really was quite a benefit in this respect!
The brand is shown throughout the book in photos as is parts of Kidston's life through photographs from her childhood and big events in her life etc. This is a nice touch and allows the reader to connect with Cath Kidston as a persona and not just the famous brand which is so widely known. I'd recommend this to big CK fan's as they would probably enjoy it far more than the average Joe.
January 28, 2022
The readability of this book was very strong for me, which impressed because I am currently in a bit of a slump and finding it hard to enjoy or get into a lot of books -- even ones I typically enjoy. The last few chapters were a little bit repetitive, but the gorgeous pictures more than made up for it. I really appreciate all things print and textile, and there was plenty of that in this book, including about five or six silky full-page photographs of some of Cath Kidston's most iconic prints.
July 17, 2017
A 3.5 a quite interesting read. Not as much of the story as I'd hoped but still interested.
January 4, 2021
Inspirational but perhaps a little lacking in real meat!
July 8, 2023
Nice to read a bit of non-fiction for a change!
February 16, 2024
Really enjoyable read and some unknown facts of a well known brand.
June 13, 2020
A very interesting read. It is about how Cath Kidston started out with her company, and how it became the successful company that it is today.
August 2, 2013
The story of the growth of Cath Kidston’s business was developed into a book to mark her 20th anniversary. A quick and easy read, it stimulated some good ideas for me and I genuinely enjoyed reading a book focused on the story of the growth of a major brand rather than being a ‘how to’ for small business.
The book is beautifully produced on quality paper stock and filled with great images but overall I found some strange decisions had been made – primarily with how the text was delivered.
The majority of the book is Cath Kidston quotes, which are linked together with text by another writer. However, the writer employed writes in the third person, which means the story regularly changes from first to third person and back again, which is a jarring reading experience. Why not employ a ghost writer who would have worked with Cath and written in the first person to create a seamless story?
Cath’s story and quotes were always interesting and the real gem of this book – the professional writer’s text quickly became annoying and intrusive – kind of like having lunch with a good, interesting friend who has brought their slightly annoying cousin along who makes obvious statements that don’t need to be said.
Overall the story of Cath Kidston is interesting and this is a very once over lightly telling. The book has some definite hits and misses. Hits include things like the images of the early hand-drawn catalogues, the story of the development of her logo and the list of things she’s learnt (which is so valuable I think I’ll copy it out for my studio).
Misses include the lists of things like Cath’s pets, her Desert Island Discs and Cath’s jobs. Internationally at least the brand Cath Kidston far outweighs the personality of the woman herself so these seemed misplaced to me and at times a little twee.
An enjoyable read with content that will definitely inspire and enthuse any maker but not a book that will become an on-going resource for my business.
The book is beautifully produced on quality paper stock and filled with great images but overall I found some strange decisions had been made – primarily with how the text was delivered.
The majority of the book is Cath Kidston quotes, which are linked together with text by another writer. However, the writer employed writes in the third person, which means the story regularly changes from first to third person and back again, which is a jarring reading experience. Why not employ a ghost writer who would have worked with Cath and written in the first person to create a seamless story?
Cath’s story and quotes were always interesting and the real gem of this book – the professional writer’s text quickly became annoying and intrusive – kind of like having lunch with a good, interesting friend who has brought their slightly annoying cousin along who makes obvious statements that don’t need to be said.
Overall the story of Cath Kidston is interesting and this is a very once over lightly telling. The book has some definite hits and misses. Hits include things like the images of the early hand-drawn catalogues, the story of the development of her logo and the list of things she’s learnt (which is so valuable I think I’ll copy it out for my studio).
Misses include the lists of things like Cath’s pets, her Desert Island Discs and Cath’s jobs. Internationally at least the brand Cath Kidston far outweighs the personality of the woman herself so these seemed misplaced to me and at times a little twee.
An enjoyable read with content that will definitely inspire and enthuse any maker but not a book that will become an on-going resource for my business.
June 22, 2013
I borrowed this book based on the cover. I'm not really a CK fan as I find the omnipresence of her work a bit annoying. Having said that, I do like the cowboy print. Anyway, I borrowed this as I thought my sister might like it and that it would make a good present for her. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The book is very frank and beautifully laid out. The only thing I found a bit jarring was that it's written by someone else with quotations from CK so you jump from one voice to another. But overall I enjoyed it.
June 30, 2013
This is really not a long book, perfect to read in just a few hours. I'm an aspiring small business owner so I thought it would be an interesting read. I have no strong feelings about Cath kidston either way, I like what I like and it can be hit and miss for me. However, It certainly was and it's made me look at the brand in a whole new light. Cath does seem fortunate to have been in the right place at the right time, however she has clearly put in a lot of hard work and has never let the business stand still. Cath may have become a new hero of mine actually.
January 3, 2017
A very quick read - interesting to hear back story but doesn't go into much detail about any stage of the business really. Caught between an autobiography and biography in style which means it switches voice but it is still all Cath's thoughts so not sure of this logic.
I think it could do with some perspective to it to make it an inspiring business book, or more personal elements to make it more biographical. It is essentially a potted history of the business and not much beyond what you could research online.
I think it could do with some perspective to it to make it an inspiring business book, or more personal elements to make it more biographical. It is essentially a potted history of the business and not much beyond what you could research online.
November 4, 2013
A beautifully presented book, I found the text lacked a little in substance, and read like a elongated PR piece. Also the constant switching between first and third person narration was a little jarring. Still a very attractive tome to flick through when in search of some creative inspiration.
August 28, 2013
Enjoyed this quick history to the Cath Kidson phenomenon
September 5, 2014
A beautifully presented book and a good overview of the development of one of my favourite brands. A very quick read. I would have liked a bit more detail.
April 2, 2015
Delectable dip-into biography with sumptuous pictures and inspirational ideas from Cath.
June 24, 2015
Interesting read about the setting up of one of my favourite companies.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews