A South London Classic: Katharine on Curated Living at The Dulwich Trader
Meet Katharine Maclaverty — co-owner of The Dulwich Trader and part of the second generation behind this much-loved South London destination.
What began with her mother-in-law Penny’s idea to bring a little West End sparkle to Dulwich has grown into three distinctive shops and a thriving online presence under the name rigby & mac.
With a blend of personal service, thoughtful design, and an ever-evolving mix of fashion and homeware, The Dulwich Trader has quietly become a go-to for those looking for something a little different — and a little special.
We had the chance to interview Katharine Maclaverty, who now runs the shops alongside her husband Dan Rigby, to chat about family beginnings, day-to-day shop life, and what it means to keep things personal in an ever-changing world.
The Dulwich Trader has been around for over three decades now - can you tell us a brief bit about yourself, how the shop came to life, and how it has changed over the years?
My mother in law, Penny Tomlinson, first opened The Dulwich Trader to bring a touch of the west end to Dulwich. While it's familiar these days to have independent stores selling a mix of homeware and fashion with desirable products it wasn't at all the norm in 1989! Penny went on to open Tomlinsons in Dulwich Village and Ed in East Dulwich (our youngest store at 25!).
I was lured away from my career as an occupational psychologist by the chance to buy the business in 2018 and my husband Dan Rigby joined a year or two later when our daughter was a baby and he realised he wanted more family time.
All the shops have evolved over the years to meet the needs of an ever changing customer base and to reflect style trends. We are not a chain, we're rooted in our local area and love being part of the Dulwich community.
What inspired the business to start - and what keeps you going on the tougher days?
Things can be tough - the last few years have had their fair share of challenges from Brexit, Covid and cost of living but there are lots of positives. We have a brilliant team and lots of wonderful customers who make it all worthwhile.
Knowing someone's day can be improved by popping into one of the shops, even just for a chat is motivating. Obviously when you have the perfect thing for a customer that they're delighted with is also very satisfying.
Our customers are just lovely and really appreciate having the shops locally, and when someone does something like bringing in a bottle for the team to sink after working the sale weekend, it means a lot to everyone.
How would you describe the vibe of the store - in three words?
Relaxed, stylish, friendly!
What do you look for when choosing brands to stock? And what drew you to Yonder?
We love to stock things that are beautiful and a little different. Yonder is an excellent example of both.
How do you hope people feel when they walk into the store or shop with you online?
I hope they feel inspired and lost in the balm of retail therapy, I hope they feel they are among friends and that they can relax and just enjoy!
Do you have a favourite memory or moment since being with The Dulwich Trader?
There are too many but I guess I look back fondly on the Dulwich Trader's 25th birthday party where we had an espresso martini van outside - I hadn't had one before at the time and managed to fit in a lifetime's worth into one evening.
What’s one thing in the shop you’d sneak home for yourself (if you haven’t already!)?
I do have quite a bit of home things but I'm rubbish at missing the fashion and vow every season to be more on it! One of my favourite things from the Dulwich Trader is a sideboard that I converted into a bathroom vanity - and lots of cushions including one of the gorgeous slubby ones from Yonder which is in pride of place at the moment! One day it will be usurped by a newcomer and have to live with the other cushions on the sofa where children roam but for now it's smug and pristine on the chair no one sits on.
Lastly, what's playing on the shop's speakers right now?
Different members of the team tend to have their own playlists of choice - it becomes quite an eclectic battleground!
Visit The Dulwich Trader
You can explore The Dulwich Trader’s thoughtfully curated collection of home décor, clothing, gifts and more here, or stop by the South London shop for a warm welcome and some truly special finds.
Follow along on Instagram @rigbyandmac
We’re so proud to be part of The Dulwich Trader's family, where beautiful design and slow, sustainable living are always in style. You’ll find a selection of Yonder pieces in store and online — beautifully made, just the way we like it.
Want to discover more shops like The Dulwich Trader? Browse our full list of Yonder Stockists to find a store near you.
Or explore our latest collection online, designed for sunny days, slow moments, and sweet memories.
