A passionate and dedicated business lady, St John’s D.S.G. Old Girl, Corrieann Rattray Taylor (Class of 1987) has had the joy of running her own businesses for many years. This has come with many ups and downs, but these challenges haven’t changed the person she is. This shy, creative and tolerant lady, who is highly protective over what is important to her in her life, went on to study Décor and Design after leaving St John’s D.S.G. She spent a few years working and travelling before becoming her own boss.
Being a young wife and mother at the time, Corrieann decided to start her own business – The Denim Collection. Using natural coloured denim to make affordable but luxurious curtains became a very popular trend. Soon after it opened, The Denim Collection grew into a viable little business.

Soon after that, Clan Rattray Bag Co. became her success story and evolved into something magnificent. Corrieann has always been inspired by her dad’s passion for polo – the long happy days spent as a little girl alongside the polo fields with her dad, his love of horses and the smell of the leather tack, textures and colours. This drew her to see the beauty in all things leather and so she used her creativity and design skills, as well as her love of working with her hands, to design and lovingly craft stylish bags. Corrieann works with a team of delightful ladies, and is pleased to say she is proudly local.
To top off her entrepreneurship success, Corrieann has raised two beautiful children, Hannah (28) and Blake (24). Though life has been difficult at times they have also experienced mountains of fun and love and over the years have come to realise that forgiveness and happiness is a choice.

It was an absolute pleasure to catch up with this inspiring and talented lady for this month’s Heart-to-Heart.

What did you love most about St John’s D.S.G?

What I loved most was learning to be my own person and making some of the best friends that are still my ‘go to girls’ today! Our St John’s D.S.G. friendship group is a colourful, gorgeous bunch of special friends. When I was at school, I adored my House Mother, as well as my Geography and Home Economics teachers. Rosie, my House Mother, used to bring me an extra cup of milk after dinner, which was a special treat that I looked forward to every night. The student teachers, who took us for prep, were awesome and one of them dated my brother, so my late arrivals for dinner never went punished, which was a bonus!

What does success mean to you and how did St John’s D.S.G. equip you for life after school?

Being a border equipped me for life. The life skills that I learnt in the Boarding Establishment and around school have been invaluable. A few of the skills include, communication, decision making, self-awareness, compromise and empathy.

What advice do you have for our current girls and their families?

Special fellow St John’s D.S.G. girls and families: love with all your heart! Be brave and forgive! Follow YOUR dreams, girls and most of all give each other a chance. See the good in everyone and don’t be afraid to say, “I did OK and that is enough”.