After graduating with a Fashion degree from Kingston University Claire began working as an Assistant with the embroidery company Hand & Lock. After four years with the company Claire left as Creative Director to launch her own company, Hawthorne & Heaney, specialising in her specific skills of embroidery design and production management. Â Her customers include Henry Poole, Anderson & Sheppard and Dege & Skinner.
Claire’s QEST Scholarship enabled her to learn the skill of heraldic drafting with Rodney Rigby, a renowned College of Arms trained draftsman.