We founded Red Leopard in 2003, at a point when we were both ready to pivot our careers and build something that felt very meaningful to us.

My (Manina’s) career has been anything but linear. After studying modern languages at school, I began my working life as a tour guide. From there, I completed a degree in the History of Fine and Decorative Arts, followed by a role as a lecturer at the V&A Museum and writing for various magazines. Later, I made a complete shift and trained as a homoeopath. After having children, being on call no longer suited my life. It was then that I had a light-bulb moment, and I realised that what I loved was helping people, fashion and style. Bringing those together felt entirely natural. Helping people dress in a way that makes them feel confident and good about themselves became my mission.

My (Rachel’s) path was more linear, but no less creative. I studied fashion design and pattern cutting at the London College of Fashion, graduating in the 1990s — the same year as Stella McCartney. I went on to work for an image consultancy, where I developed a successful women’s tailoring collection and developed a deep understanding of fit, structure, and design.

We both met through our professional worlds and quickly connected. It became clear that together we could build something unique around colour and style — and so Red Leopard was born.

Over the past 25 years, we’ve grown the business side by side, and working together has been an absolute joy. We bounce ideas off each other constantly, tackle challenges as a team, and our combined skillsets have truly been our superpower.

Our mission at Red Leopard is very clear: to help people look and feel like the very best version of themselves — and colour plays the most important role in that.

Colour has the power to transform how your skin looks, how your eyes sparkle, and how others respond to you. When you wear colours that are right for you, you appear energised, approachable, confident, and powerful. When the colours aren’t right, you can look tired, washed out, or lacking in vitality.

Many of our clients are men and women over 50, and being in the same stage of life ourselves means we can relate to where they are. This next chapter often prompts reflection. Some clients are stepping away from formal careers and shedding the corporate uniform, unsure how to dress without it. Others feel stuck in a rut, buying the same variations again and again. Some are navigating divorce and rediscovering who they are. A particularly memorable client was a gentleman in his mid-80s who had lost his wife and was beginning to date again. Helping him rediscover his confidence through style was wonderful.

Our consultations always begin with getting to know the client — their background, lifestyle, and how they spend their time. We then introduce them to the history of colour and the colour wheel, explaining what it means to wear warm versus cool or soft tones next to the skin.

Next comes the drape test. Sitting in front of a mirror, we compare different colours against the face to see which truly enhance the skin and hair, gradually narrowing this down to their individual “season” — a completely personal palette.

From there, we look at body structure, analysing proportions to understand what shapes and styles work best. Finally, we explore personality: how someone wants to feel and how they wish to present themselves to the world.

The winning formula is when colour, structure, and personality come together. With this understanding, clients can see clearly what already works in their wardrobe — and what to look for when making future purchases.

We’re not about throwing everything away and starting again. Instead, we help people simplify their wardrobe into pieces that genuinely serve them and then build thoughtfully from there.

There are already more than enough clothes in the world to dress several future generations. We believe in helping people make sustainable choices, investing in clothes they love and will wear for years to come.

Ultimately, Red Leopard is about helping people feel their very best and bringing a little more colour into the world

Circle Square Member Quick Fire Q&A

What 3 words best describe you?  

Manina: Fabulous. Stylish. Inspiring.
Rachel: Reliable. Efficient. Friendly.

If you could offer your younger self one piece of advice, what would that be?  

Manina: Don’t save your best clothes for a special occasion, just wear and enjoy them!
Rachel: Enjoy the moment!

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement? Helping others be the best version of themselves.

Which person (dead or alive) would you most like to invite to dinner?

Manina: Anne Boleyn – she was so stylish and interesting.
Rachel: Cher!

How has age strengthened your advantage?

Manina: It has given me more gravitas.
Rachel: I feel more confident in my 50s and less concerned about being judged.

What inspired you to join Circle Square? The chance to meet and connect with many people is wonderful. We enjoy networking, so meeting the Circle Square community is fantastic.