When Women Support Women
4th March 2026

When Women Support Women

words by Glyn Andrews

Stories from the Table, the Studio, and Behind the Scenes at One.World

As International Women’s Day approaches, it’s easy to be swept up in bold statements and big slogans. But at One.World, that’s never really been our style.

For us, supporting women isn’t a campaign or a caption. It’s something that has quietly shaped how we work for decades - built into our foundations from the very beginning.

Birkdale Stone Candle

Where It Began

Thirty-five years ago, Kathy started One.World with a small collection of candles and a clear belief in beautiful, well-made things.

There was no grand masterplan - just an instinct for quality, craftsmanship and products with soul. From those early days, Kathy focused on sourcing pieces that felt special and lasting, building relationships with makers and customers alike.

What began modestly has grown steadily and organically over the years.

Today, One.World offers almost 1,000 products, has a team of over 20, and sends out more orders than those early days could ever have predicted. But growth has never meant compromising on values. The heart of the business remains the same: gorgeous quality products, strong supplier relationships, and customers who feel genuinely looked after.

Across the wider team - Sophie, Lisa, Louisa, Bella, Kris and many others - women lead projects, manage partnerships, oversee operations, and shape the direction of the business every single day. Their expertise and judgement are not an aside. They are central to how One.World runs and evolves.

There’s no dramatic declaration here. Just a simple truth: women have always been integral to this business.

Di and Wonki Ware: The Beauty of Imperfection

One of the partnerships we are most proud of is with Di Marshall, founder of Wonki Ware.

More than 25 years ago, Di began working with clay in a small studio on South Africa’s Garden Route. What started as experimentation slowly grew into a ceramics brand known for its joyful forms, rich glazes and unmistakable character.

But Wonki Ware is more than beautiful tableware.

Each piece passes through at least fourteen pairs of hands before it reaches the table. From moulding and pressing to glazing and firing, it’s a collaborative process powered by skilled artisans. Over time, the workshop has grown into a thriving community, creating meaningful employment and long-term opportunities through craftsmanship.

As Di says:

You can feel that human touch in every piece - the slight curve of a rim, the way the glaze settles differently each time, the subtle variation that makes it unmistakably handmade.

When you choose Wonki Ware at One.World, you’re not just setting the table. You’re supporting a woman who built something enduring, and the talented team who bring that vision to life.

Women in Creative Business

We see the ripple effect of women supporting women through the designers and small business owners who work with us.

Many of the interior designers who source from One.World are building their own studios, shaping their own paths and creating thoughtful, layered spaces for their clients. They choose pieces with integrity - objects that feel considered rather than mass-produced.

A handcrafted platter becomes a centrepiece.

A textured lamp base adds depth to a room.

A woven basket carries a story beyond its function.

There’s something quietly powerful about that chain of creativity - a female founder working with artisans, stocked by a female-founded business, chosen by a female designer, placed in someone’s home.

It isn’t labelled or orchestrated. It simply happens because good work recognises good work.

Quiet Celebration

International Women’s Day shines a light on equality and progress. At One.World, we’re proud that the contribution of women isn’t something we spotlight once a year - it’s embedded in the everyday decisions, steady growth and care behind everything we do.

Through the makers like Di who turn clay into something joyful.

Through the designers shaping thoughtful spaces.

Through the women behind the scenes who continue to build and grow One.World with ambition and integrity.

No grand gestures. Just gratitude - and a continued commitment to craftsmanship, creativity and contribution wherever we find it.

And that, to us, feels worth marking.

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