Natalie’s Story 

I worked with my husband on board luxury super yachts since early 2001 and have travelled the world, meeting people of all different backgrounds. Having enjoyed many years working at the top end of the industry, servicing the owners who are used to having the absolute very best of everything., it was back in 2003 whilst working on one of the most Prestige yachts of its time, the owner had a beautiful little dog whom travelled everywhere with her – on the private jet, on board the yacht, out for dinner, spa days, shopping, she was her baby, her companion, and the little dogs wardrobe was probably more extensive than most peoples. At the time I just couldn’t understand it apart from seeing the unconditional love she had for her “pet” which I understand now she was far more than that. 

Over the years I thoroughly enjoyed dedicating my life to the exciting and challenging career on the water yet being extremely privileged to enjoy such a lifestyle with my husband. We made the decision offered to us to take on the project overseeing the last 2 years building a new Yacht in Italy for the current owner. Life ashore was a new adventure and I thrived on it. Living a semi normal life, going to a house every evening after work, we decided to add to our family having the opportunity being on land. We adopted 10-week-old Montpelier Maltese twins Hercules and Bella, with the intension of taking them to sea on board the Yacht once the build was complete, as proposed by the owner. 

The puppies were spoilt rotten and the penny dropped - I now understood where the original owner was coming from. Hercules and Bella were not our pets, they were part of our family, our children, our little canine companions. 

Bella unfortunately at only 10 months old passed away from a rare form of meningitis despite all our heart wrenching desperate efforts to make her better, spending many thousands of pounds worth of treatment and with all our continuous unconditional Love and hope. We were devastated, we’d lost one of our babies, our truly loved family member, Hercules’ twin. 

Three months later Monabella was adopted - Hercules and Bella’s half-sister. 

I returned home to the UK in 2017 after the completion of the yacht build realising that I just couldn’t give 100% to my career and my little companions with life on board after experiencing Bella’s illness. Life back home was exciting at first being away for 16 years – but reality soon kicked in. 

I decided that, as Hercules & Monabella frequently traveling, between England, Monaco, Ibiza and Italy,  with us, and always accompanying us on our holidays, typically dressed in their beautiful quality clothes from their extensive wardrobe, but seeming to lose the “look” as always having to put a harness on top to be practical, I was inspired to try and produce clothing that would look beautiful, be extremely comfortable yet practical. 

 In 2018 when I turned 40, both myself and my husband though how fantastic it would be for H to have matching outfit with dad and MB to match me, but it wasn’t available as such. This is where the extension to the bespoke idea came from. 

As you can see the Brand is based on the little 3 Maltese dogs – Hercules, Bella and Monabella. Our Muse, our true inspirations 

Sarah’s Story  

I carried out a Fashion Design degree in a coastal town in Cornwall and living by the beach led to my commitment in creating stylish sustainable menswear whilst raising awareness about ocean pollution. My design forte is avant-garde menswear, influenced by traditional British tailoring and fabrics. 

Alongside my degree I self-taught how to design and make stylish jewellery using semiprecious crystals, this then grew into a small independent business, and I began selling them in local shops whilst working and studying my degree. This opportunity gave me an insight into how to run a business and as a result, gave me a deeper understanding and awareness with changes in customer demand, what is currently trending and what is up and coming in the near future. From then on it was my ambition to have a business selling my own clothing/products. 

Being very passionate about Art and Design and with my extensive knowledge in pattern cutting, garment construction, fashion design and graphics, I worked freelance as a designer for both independent and commercial companies. Varying my design expertise in clothing, accessories and home ware, since graduating my Fashion Design degree in 2016. 

When Natalie and I first founded the brand, it was an exciting opportunity for both of us, as it combined both of our passions and interests creating beautiful unique clothing in the most luxurious fabrics. 

Since both our researching into small dog clothing we saw that there were lots out there, but everything being all very generic designs and mass produced, so quality and price was very low. We found and as Natalie knew there were very few high ends designer dog clothing being produced, in what she especially was looking for. 

This is where we saw an opening to the market and began our journey to create Hercabella – high end tailored dog clothing, yet which is practical and not just a fashion faux for pictures.