About Founder

I am now 60 years old, and throughout my life, I have faced persecution from the police. Recently, I underwent a five-hour brain operation for a 13mm aneurysm that I had been waiting nearly three years for. Every morning during that waiting period, I woke up wondering, "Is this a dream?" But each time, to my horror, I realised it was real. The doctors warned me that the operation could be fatal; I could die on the operating table, lose all brain function, go blind, or suffer any number of other consequences. I truly believed I was going to die.

I have also been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder, and for the last 41 years, I have had to take about 27 prescribed pills daily. My struggles began early: I became a drug addict at age 14 and was involved in a gang where we did many reckless things. Despite the chaos of my youth, I went to school and studied for three years to become a chef. At age 32, I discovered how to live honestly. Since then, I’ve spent every moment trying to learn about business, attempting repeatedly to succeed, but losing everything I had each time. All the while, the police continued to persecute me, despite my turning my back on drugs and crime long ago. But they never left me alone.

Being remembered as a dishonest, junkie criminal hurts deeply because I changed a very long time ago. A short while ago, I fled the United Kingdom, taking a plane from Heathrow Airport to Switzerland, where I intended to claim asylum. The refugee centre I ended up in was the biggest shock of my life—a new level of hell, even after all I’d been through. The conditions were dire; we were given only soup and bread, and the environment was intimidating, filled with people from war zones across the globe. I was the only person there from the UK, trying to keep up with my medications and cope with the relentless questions, lack of exercise, and total lack of support. After five harrowing days, they informed me that they do not grant asylum to people from the UK. I felt abandoned and unloved. Returning to the UK felt like a miracle—I was home, eating my food, and sleeping in my own bed instead of a crowded room full of strangers.

This experience made me determined to give building a business one final try. I have no living family and have been alone since age 19, never having been married or in a relationship. I love women, but I never felt good enough. My history as a mental patient, my past struggles, and the stigma attached to me made it impossible to feel worthy. I’ve been alone for 41 years, and before I die, I want to be remembered for something good. I want to create something I can be proud of, and that's when I decided to start my business, Chic Hot Club. It’s my way of expressing my love and appreciation for women, a chance to create something beautiful that reflects the understanding I’ve gained about what makes women feel confident and look nice.

Creating Chic Hot Club has been the most rewarding experience of my life. I work with amazing people who have dedicated countless hours to this project, and I have made incredible business connections along the way. For the first time, I feel happy in a way I’ve never known, building something I am genuinely proud of. I am grateful for the support of those who have been by my side throughout this journey.

One of my store designers suggested that I add an "About FOUNDER" page to the store, but I hesitated. I showed her my published book and asked, "How can I? Who would trust buying something from someone like me, with my past?" But I decided to be brave and do it anyway. I spoke to my publisher about my situation, and I came to a realisation: maybe some people will like my story, and maybe some won’t. But at the very least, I am honest.

I have learned that you can't be loved by everyone, and that’s okay. I am no longer defined by my past. I am defined by the person I have become—someone who has built something beautiful and worthy.

If you want to know more about myself you can read my BOOK.