Hey VDL Creative Directory

I am excited to introduce the Hey VDL Creative Directory, your go-to source for all things innovative in the creative industry! Over the past few months, we've been busy curating a dynamic roster of talented clients who are making waves across various creative fields.

Aimee Holt - Carrick

Carrick is Scotland based ceramicist; Aimee Holt, an independent maker creating hand thrown and hand built pieces.

The name Carrick, meaning rock, is taken from a coastal area near her hometown in rural Galloway where much of her inspiration is taken from. Influenced by the simplicity of Japanese forms and finding beauty in imperfection, Carrick celebrates the elemental cracks and crevices that nature offers us. Taking inspiration from the beauty of Scottish land and sea, the roughness of the rocks and rugged coastline inspire the colour, texture and finish of each piece.

Ashling Findlay-Carroll - Performance Maker

Ashling has extensive experience in the arts working as a Performer, Choreographer, Director, Facilitator and currently as a Lecturer and Curriculum Team Manager at Performing Arts Studio Scotland. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts, and a member of the Chartered Management Institute.

In 2023, Ashling was an Arts for Good Fellow with the Singapore International Foundation. Her work focuses on expanding access to arts opportunities and empowering students.

Donna Nelson - Alchemé Beauty

Donna, the founder of Alchemé, has dedicated 17 years to enhancing natural beauty through skincare and makeup artistry. Her journey began with a deep love for makeover shows, where she first witnessed the transformative power of helping women feel confident and empowered. Over the years, Donna has honed her skills in some of Scotland’s leading spas and salons, earning invaluable experience and industry accolades along the way. Beyond the studio, she’s an avid traveler, always seeking new adventures.

Emily Millichip - Designer

Emily Millichip is the creative force behind her eponymous fashion and homeware label, where she brings her love for color, craftsmanship, and nature to life. From her seaside studio in Portobello, Edinburgh, Emily designs and handcrafts every piece with the help of a small team of local seamstresses. Her work is a vibrant celebration of maximalism, blending bold patterns and textures to create statement pieces that reflect her unique aesthetic. Rooted in a deep connection to her surroundings, Emily’s designs invite you to step into a world of color and creativity—welcome to Paradise.

Gabby Secomb-Flegg - Scotland Magic

Gabby is a professional photographer and event planner who coordinates main character experiences for women residing and travelling through Scotland. She aims to connect women through unique events to get them out of their comfort zones, expanding their confidence and creating lasting connections.

Gillian Whalley - Ollingtons

Gillian, the founder and creative force behind Ollingtons, brings her background in printed textiles and graphic design to every handcrafted piece. Her passion for design and meticulous attention to detail ensure that each product, from notebooks to gift wrap, is a unique work of art.
At Ollingtons, Gillian’s vision transforms stationery into a joy to use, blending beauty with functionality.

Kathryn Duncan - Personal Stylist

Kathryn is a personal stylist who is focused on assisting clients to be the best version of themselves through their own style - every day. She creates an individual and tailored service for each person with services that start from a wardrobe edit to personal shopping in person or online.

With a love for clothes, creative design, films and art, Kathryn can instinctively interpret emerging fashion trends and translate them for each individual. As well as styling, she also designs jewellery.

Katie Charleson - Textile Designer

Katie is a screen printed homewares designer committed to creating sumptuous, unique textiles. Working from her print studio in Leith, she creates quilts, interior objects and surface pattern designs that are timeless, rich and desirable. She works exclusively with natural fibres from ethical sources, uses water based inks in her production and is introducing natural dyes to her production.

Katie exhibited at Collect 2024 with Craft Scotland, enjoyed her first solo show at Sierra Metro in 2023 and regularly works on private and public interior commissions.

Katie Quinn - Illustrator and Comic Book Artist

Katie, an illustrator and comic book artist from Leeds now based in Edinburgh, has over 10 years of experience in creating vibrant designs for libraries, universities, charities, and magazines. Her bold and bright style, crafted with high-quality pens and pencils, has been showcased across the UK and featured in Counterpoint magazine, medium.com, and The Scotsman.

Katie also leads creative workshops for community groups, supporting diverse individuals in making their own art. She’s always open to discussing new projects and collaborations so feel free to get in touch!

Marina Oswald - Talk with Marina

Marina is a confidence coach and spiritual mentor. Her approach combines the practical (solutions-focused coaching) and the spiritual (soul-aligned intuition and energy work), with her experience of the Akashic Records, Human Design, Tarot and Astrology. Marina‘s mission is to guide people to connect to who they are, what it is they truly want in life and how they can make it their reality.

Sessions can take place over Zoom or in person on Thursdays in Causewayside, Edinburgh.

Sabrina Severo - The Pilates Studio Edinburgh

Sabrina is a fully qualified Personal Trainer with a Level 3 YMCA Qualification in Health & Fitness and has twenty years experience in exercise prescription and sports conditioning training within the Health and Fitness Industry. Pilates has been the main aspect of her training since her graduation and has allowed her to become a fully certified comprehensive classical Romana Pilates International Teacher.

With worldwide recognised qualifications, Sabrina has also achieved a National Standard Level in Teaching and Coaching Sports Conditioning as part of the Post-Graduate Masters in Strength and Conditioning at the University of Edinburgh.

Sheona Lindsay - Health and Fitness Coach

With over 15 years in the fitness industry, Sheona is a qualified sports injury rehabilitation specialist dedicated to helping clients achieve their health and fitness goals. She provides personalized nutritional guidance and programming, focusing on enhancing performance, facilitating recovery, and promoting a balanced lifestyle.

As an online coach, Sheona offers flexible and accessible fitness solutions, blending scientific principles with practical strategies to empower clients and ensure sustainable results.

Susie Davidson - Brand Communications Strategist

With over 20 years in PR and communications, Susie blends strategic, pragmatic, and creative thinking to craft clear and effective solutions for brands and businesses. Her recent role involved leading global PR for The Macallan single malt Scotch whisky, managing diverse and dynamic communications worldwide. Susie’s experience spans corporate, fast-paced and luxury environments, providing her with a wealth of knowledge and insight.

Susie Lowe - Creative Director and Photographer

Based in Edinburgh, Susie is a seasoned photographer and creative director with over two decades of experience. Specialising in people, interiors, food and drink, she has collaborated with international brands, creative agencies and luxury hospitality businesses.

Susie’s client list includes The Gleneagles Hotels, RBS, Natwest and Lululemon. Her work, featured in major magazines like Condé Nast Traveller and Elle Decoration, includes imagery for best-selling cookbooks and interiors books, reflecting her expertise in visual storytelling and brand development.

Suzanne Aitchison - Software Developer

Suzanne is a Software Developer with a specialism in web accessibility, making sure sites and apps deliver great user experiences for folks with disabilities. She currently works for Netlify, a web platform leveraged by over 35 million sites!

She also created Up Your A11y after realising how little she understood about web accessibility, despite working in a mid-level developer role for some major national brands. In trying to fill this gap in her knowledge, she found lots of great resources and started collecting notes and examples. These became the basis of Up Your A11y, which Suzanne has built in the hope that it will help other developers place accessibility at the heart of their work.

Tyler Lott Johnston - Building Conservator and Surveyor

An experienced building conservator and traditional building surveyor with extensive international cross-sector experience, Tyler has worked on everything from multi-billion pound developments to humble, neglected dwellings. While she has extensive experience in building conservation, project management, and executive leadership in the private and charitable sector, she’s not afraid of getting her hands dirty on a project.

Tyler also serves as an advocate for traditional building skills and a mentor for women, underrepresented and young people looking to join the sector.

Vassia Tsikritea - Torn Vintage

Vassia runs TORN vintage; a womenswear, jewellery and accessories shop, specialising in timeless and easy-to-style vintage. She hugely values sustainable, personal style and mindful consumption which are both reflected in TORN vintage. Find us in the Grassmarket, Edinburgh or online!