Born at the old Buchanan Hospital Hastings, Award winning designer Kathryn Fletcher talks to This is Hastings about why she is proud to call the seaside town home.

Having moved away from Hastings to build on her design business Kathryn like many others has succumbed to Hastings ‘curse.’ After living in Sevenoaks for ten years she returned to Hastings in February longing to get back into the sense of community.

We asked her what she loved so much about Hastings and what it was that brought her back.

‘Hastings is my home, I was born here and have many fond memories growing up. What I love about Hastings is that it’s not too tidy, I love the grittiness and higgledy piggledyness of the winding streets and alley ways. There is a lot of beautiful architecture here, It’s bohemian without being pretentious and full of interesting and creative people.’

Kathryn designs greeting cards, specialising in typographic and collage illustration alongside freelance design projects. Her business Velvet Olive has enjoyed great success since it was launched in 2004.

The full range of cards are designed in her studio here in Hastings;

‘Moving back to Hastings has opened my mind to so many more creative opportunities. I have designed several new ranges since moving back as well as launching a new website with additional merchandise. I can’t help but think that life-style and characters here have been influential in making that happen.

The surge of street artists in the town, have been inspiring altering my thought process. The freedom of the town is refreshing and for the first time in a while I am designing more thought provoking images. I want to become more involved in projects that support the creative community here I’m loving being home and want to make my mark on the town.’

Kathryn loves riding her bike through the streets and along the seafront stopping off at her favourite watering hole the Dragon Bar.