Calypso Rose

Award-winning entrepreneur, founder of Clippykit

29-year-old Calypso Rose is an award-winning entrepreneur. She is the founder and designer of Clippykit, the niche market gift wear brand that started life as one bag, made quite literally on a kitchen table in 2004 and which is now sold in boutiques around the world. Calypso is incredibly motivated, very inspiring and a great role model for young women.

Calypso Rose is the director and designer of Clippykit.  Clippykit is a niche market gift wear brand that started life as one bag, which was made on the kitchen table (literally) in 2004. Calypso (yes, it is her real name) wanted a bag in which to display her collection of Polaroid photographs, so with a length of plastic bought at the local market she designed a see through bag with pockets.

Calypso was mobbed in the street. Women – including Helena Bonham-Carter, Tara Palmer-Tomkinson & Jools Oliver - wanted to know where the bag came from. At the time Calypso was working in a television production company, but the inner-entrepreneur was very strong, and the opportunity had to be pursued.  With a loan from her family Calypso put 250 bags into production. The bags sold within weeks and Clippykit was formed.

Calypso and the company have won numerous awards:

London Young Business Person of the Year 2004 (sponsors London Tonight and the Evening Standard)

Enterprising Young Brit 2005 (sponsors Make Your Mark and the Daily Mail)

Everywoman finalist 2005 (sponsored by Orange)

Entrepreneur of the Industry 2007 (sponsored by the BPMA)

Gift of the Year 2007 (sponsored by Giftware Review)

Top 100 in The Future 500 2008 (sponsored by Courvoisier and the Observer)

Shortlisted for Young Exporter of the Year 2010

Shortlisted Gift of the Year 2010