A talented and inspired lady, Lavender Dower, started Julip in 1945. She initially restored rocking horses and ran a 'doll's hospital'. She also created portrait porcelain dolls and figurines. She then created a range of fabric animals with wire in their legs of which one was a foal called Julip. Subsequently a book was written by authors Ursula Hourihane and Gee Denes called 'The Tale of Julip'. The story tells the tale of a copper coloured foal with pale blue mane, tail and hooves who goes in search of the Great Pan whose magical music can give him wings. The book was illustrated with colour photos of scenes created with Lavender Dower's models.

Lavender Dower ran her business firstly from Woodstock Street, W1 then 18, Beauchamp Place in London's Knightsbridge. Julip horses were sold from this location right up until January 1996. Many Julip collectors will remember descending the stairs, decorated with childrens' drawings, into the basement shop, a unique treasure trove. For those lucky enough to have been to the courtyard at the back they will have discovered the workshop nestled beneath an old apple tree. A far cry from the busy street the other side! Lavender Dower even sold her gorgeous collection at a show at London's Olympia which we still do now.

During the 1950's the Julip range was developed and the method of production changed to moulding the horses in latex still with wires in their legs, producing a totally unique and beautiful range of horses. Each horse was then hand painted leaving no two the same. The range grew to include riders, leather tack and detailed wooden accessories. The method of producing the horses in latex is still used today.

Lavender Dower formed the company Julip Model Horses in 1964 which she then decided to sell. In 1965 the ownership of Julip Horses passed to Mr and Mrs Heath. Annabel was privileged to meet Lavender Dower in the summer of 2001 and she subsequently wrote to Annabel saying 'I was really overcome to see what my beginnings had grown into'. Sadly she passed away in 2003 but her wonderful creation will be with us for many years to come.