Worldwide success for Redditch violinist’s’ pooch business

Charlotte Moseley, who is part of the English Symphony Orchestra, lost all her musical work due to Covid last March and since then has not been able to perform live.

Instead, the 28-year-old has focused her creativity on creating a thriving dog boutique which stocks coats, jumpers, bow ties and crate covers.

'Hugo and Ted' handmake collars, bow ties, leads and coats.

‘Hugo and Ted’, has now processed over 1,500 orders worldwide with their latest order being shipped to Las Vegas.

Charlotte, who was born in Bromsgrove said: “I lost all my work in March last year and was looking for another way to be creative. I decided to make a dog jumper for my dogs Ted and Hugo who are dachshund, more commonly known as sausage dogs.

Hugo modelling a spotty coat and matching crate cover.

“In the dachshund community its known that they get really cold in the winter, so I made them a jumper. I posted the jumper on Facebook and people wanted me to make their dogs one too. I set up a small Esty shop and took 40 orders in the first week and this is how Hugo and Ted began, with the name obviously taking inspiration form my own dogs. By Christmas I was having to work 20 hours a day. I thought it was Christmas demand, but I even had orders on Christmas day.

“In January I started looking at units and found one on Bordesley Hall Farm in Alvechurch which was available in April. We ended up having two units and I employed two seamstresses who also lost their jobs due to Covid. Within four weeks I had gone from working from my bedroom to employing 2 members of staff and working out of two units. It is crazy!”

Ted modelling a tartan coat and matching bow tie.

Charlotte is hoping to split her time between her new business and musical performances when Covid restrictions fully relax.

Prior to the Covid pandemic Charlotte was a guest lead at many orchestras around the country.