Piper Revere is the inspiration for Revere the Residence, she sketches her magical take on life. Through her relationships with her imaginary boyfriends and enjoy her refreshingly honest notes.

PIPER HAS COLLABORATED WITH VIVIENNE WESTWOOD DESIGNING THEIR CHRISTMAS WINDOW DISPLAYS

MORE WILL BE NO MORE - is it a call for peace, anti-waste, call to activism. A message to a relationship with a loved one, the world? 

Piper, 18, is autistic, profoundly deaf, hugely talented and very witty. 

We are so excited to see Piper’s art come to life in our Albaray pieces. We would love to hear more about your story and how Revere the Residence came to be what it is today?

Kate: Revere the Residence started just before lockdown in 2020 and I really thought it would have to be just an idea. But then I realised, actually young adults leaving education with a learning disability would need a space like Revere more than ever. 

Being inspired by my own teenage daughter Piper, who is profoundly deaf, autistic and learning disabled. As a parent of a disabled child, you’re always looking into the future and unfortunately that can be more with fear than hope. Where will my child be able to find somewhere to work that’s inspiring, safe, and fulfilling. I knew the options were next to zero so that is why I launched Revere the Residence as a physical shop space in Hackney starting with Pop-ups at my house and markets.

This initial set-up is when I went to see Paula for advice on the products I wanted to stock and all just all round business advice. Simple things like the terminology you use, you can ask for sale or return with suppliers, don’t get 100 of one thing, spread your stock variety to see what works etc. It all sounds quite obvious things but when you’re new to this world its all valuable advise. 

Paula's husband, Andy, also had a great vintage fashion shop in Hackney that I used to shop in in the early 00’s and he advised me on how to run a physical space. 

Revere has evolved in these 4 short years, from the products to engaging many volunteers with learning disabilities to gain skills in running the retail space. And then having our own in house Revere artists who design lots of own products through art workshops. 

We absolutely love the new Albaray x Notes by Piper collection, what initially drew you to collaborate with Revere the Residence? Can you tell us about your connection to Revere the Residence?

Paula: Revere the Residence is based in Stoke Newington where I live, and the founder and mum of Piper was my neighbour. I have always been drawn to Kate’s amazing talent for interiors. Her house was fantastically decorated full of wonderful curiosities, vintage furniture and clashing colours and textures. Alongside all of this hung Piper’s artwork – clever and witty.

Would you be able to describe Piper’s design process?

Piper is living her life in the way she wants to and I’m sure for many of us it feels so refreshing and natural that she is able to express herself without fear of what people think or if they like what she creates. Her art is for herself. She knows people buy her art and they tell her and she just simply says proudly - I do it myself. Piper still has many medical difficulties and spends a lot of time in hospitals, her life is far from easy but she really is the strongest person I know. 

The other beauty of Revere the Residence is Piper and all the other Revere artists and volunteers get to see and hang out with each other. Social isolation for learning disabled young adults is a huge reality and many tell me how they feel so lonely in adult life but coming to Revere which is a cool space for them to be, where they are treated equally to everyone who shops there has changed their lives. We say very clearly we do not exist for pity or praise but trying to level the field.

Can you tell us why this collaboration is important to Albaray?

Paula: As 3 female founders and mothers, when we started the business, we always wanted to make sure we supported charities that we felt connected to. When Kate told me she was starting a social enterprise, I was so inspired by her determination and drive to create something for young adults with learning disabilities whilst also navigating her own life complexities with her daughter Piper, who has learning disabilities, alongside two younger siblings. 

By collaborating with Revere the Residence, we want to help spread the word about this amazing social enterprise and to showcase the talents of Piper and all the other amazing creative young adults that work at Revere the Residence. The 3 T Shirts are unique and carefully considered. Owning a store in today’s retail climate is difficult, never mind the added complexity of a social enterprise, so Kate deserves all the help and support we can give her.