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Charlotte Raffo is the founder of The Monkey Puzzle Tree, collaborating with artists from the North of England to create award winning fabrics and wallpapers with a twist and a conscience.

Charlotte’s passion for UK manufacturing began with an unlikely dream first job on the shop floor of a Leeds tannery. Her role was to create innovative effects on leather which would be shown to customers such as Louis Vuitton, Mulberry and Camper. Whilst enabling her to combine her passion for design with the knowledge she’d gained in her Colour and Polymer Chemistry degree, the working conditions would not be to everyone’s taste!

Six years later when the factory sadly closed down with the loss of hundreds of jobs, Charlotte joined Huddersfield based nursery brand Mamas and Papas. Initially working in Product Development and and then as the Textile and Trims Buyer. Charlotte worked closely with mills in the Far East and Europe, building strong relationships with suppliers and learning the importance of clear and honest communication. 

In 2016 Charlotte decided to combine her passion for interiors with a desire to support the remaining local textile mills in the North of England. Designing in collaboration with local artists, The Monkey Puzzle Tree strives to create truly unique creations, and was awarded a Design Guild Mark for their real cork wallpaper in 2021.

In her spare time Charlotte enjoys taking her two children on adventures in the Yorkshire Dales and playing Indian harmonium in a jazz band.

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Charlotte Raffo

Charlotte Raffo's Media Coverage