LIFE OF MOU
Located in the heart of Warwickshire, Leamington Spa is a picturesque town and home to Women's clothing store Life of Mou. Founded in 2021 by Kary Hunt whose passion for sustainability and slow fashion is clear to see with her honest, fulfilling and kind approach to the retail customer experience. Life of Mou presents a carefully curated mix of clothing, footwear, jewellery and vintage furniture from brands and makers who have a story to tell.
Life of Mou currently stocks several Solovair Classic styles in-store such as our 8 Eye Derby Boot, Dealer Boot and Gibson Shoe as well some Gripfast Originals steel toe footwear.
LF: Can you tell us a little about yourself?
KH: I’m Kary, the ‘Mou’ in Life of Mou, mum to Jacob, Abi and Joe and partner to Andrew. Mou is a Greek term of affection loosely translating as ‘of me or mine’. Andrew took to the expression when working in Greece, calling me Kary Mou since we met on holiday. I’ve been in fashion retailing for most of working life and reached a moment where I wanted to create a store of my own, full of things I love and want to share. The name felt like the perfect fit — personal, full of love, and quietly original. Just like the store I wanted to create.
LF: When did Life of Mou open?
KH: We opened the doors in November 2021, in Park Street at the heart of Leamington Spa. It started with a few rails and a lot of belief and has grown into a space where people come not just to shop, but to feel part of a community. From day one, the response was heartwarming — customers didn’t just shop, they stayed, they shared, and they came back with friends
LF: What is the ethos behind Life of Mou?
KH: Buy better. Wear longer. Life of Mou champions slow fashion and beautiful, lasting design and materials. Every item — from new arrivals to ‘nearly mou’ treasures — is chosen with thought. I want people to build wardrobes that reflect who they are and what they care about, not what’s trending this week. We want shopping here to feel joyful not just ticking off a to-do list
LF: What was your inspiration for the store aesthetic?
KH: My guiding principle is for Life of Mou to be a welcoming space which puts a smile on customers faces. It certainly isn’t what you would call minimalist! The fixtures and fittings are a mix of vintage and new, prompting customers to think about their wardrobe.
Little personal details, like handwritten tags and pictures add to its character and a particular favourite is the hidden changing room, reached through two mirrored wardrobe doors inspired by ‘The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe’ At the back is a super little garden yard, a quiet escape where guests can take a break.
LF: Can you introduce your team?
KH: We’re a close-knit team of friends, fuelled by passion more than numbers. I run the shop day-to-day with help from Carol and Sarah, but it’s a family affair — you'll often find my daughter helping out, Kyra taking photos for Instagram or setting the scene with wildflowers and vintage pots. It’s informal, friendly and full of heart — the way I like it.
LF: Tell us a little about your store and the brands you sell?
KH: Life of Mou is a curated mix of footwear, clothing and jewellery pieces interspersed with some vintage furniture and lighting. Every brand we stock shares our commitment to quality through its design, materials and manufacture; its storytelling you can wear, like British icons Solovair.
Sustainability is hard in fashion, but we encourage a ‘circular’ approach through pre-loving with our ‘Nearly Mou’ range. We can all do something.
LF: What do you look for in a brand?
KH: Soul. I’m drawn to brands that make things with love and don’t follow the crowd. I’ll take time to learn a brand’s story — how it started, how it sources materials, who makes the pieces. That human thread matters. Solovair ticks all the boxes with style. It’s rare and it’s what our customers are drawn to.
LF: Why is shopping local important to you?
KH: Because it’s human. Shopping local means you’re supporting someone’s dream and breathing life into the community. You’re choosing connection over convenience, making a conscious purchase rather than another impulse buy you’ll question later. In return you leave with something meaningful, a story, a conversation and a place you’ll want to return to.
LF: How has retail in Leamington Spa changed?
KH: Leamington is a lovely Georgian town with a centre of independent shops, beautiful parks, and places to eat and drink. Perfect for a bricks and mortar store like Life of Mou. Like many towns it lost its department store, but has held onto what matters: experience, individuality and selection visitors love. People are asking better questions, making more thoughtful choices and want to know the story behind what they’re buying. Independent retail is going from strength to strength here, and we’re proud to be playing our part in it.
LF: Looking to the future, what are your hopes and aspirations for yourself and the store?
KH: To keep growing gently, building community, as we go. We’ve been focusing on Life of Mou’s social media lately and an online offer maybe next. I want to keep building something my family can be proud of, and my customers can enjoy.
LF: When and how did you first discover Solovair?
KH: I first discovered Solovair whilst working in a local Shoe Shop which didn’t have them. An NPS representative came in and I was so impressed. The heritage stood out — as did the quality. Holding a pair, you instantly felt this compared to another make the shop stocked! When I was planning to open Life of Mou, Solovair were one of the first brands I approached and when the first delivery arrived it felt like they belonged.
LF: Most popular Solovair style in-store?
KH: The Crazy Horse Dealer Boot.. It’s iconic, understated and endlessly versatile, I love to say “Go anywhere in Solovair”. From flowy dresses to tailored trousers, this boot truly goes anywhere.
LF: What is your favourite Solovair style?
KH: Now you really are putting me on the spot, the range has something for everyone and every occasion. Lately my head has been turned by the Steel Toe Cap Gibson in Burgundy Rub Off. I love pairing it with soft tailoring or vintage denim where it adds edge and elegance in equal measure.
Photography by Kyra Oakland
Life of Mou
39 Park Street
Leamington Spa
CV32 4QN
United Kingdom
@life_of_mou
