A YOUNG designer from Glasgow is proving denier doesn’t have to be dull with her bedazzling collection of hand-printed hosiery and leggings.
Louise Kenny (24) launched her Loula Creates hosiery fashion business in June last year and already her quirky, brightly coloured bespoke designs are being featured in leading fashion pages and blog sites, both here and in the States.
Louise graduated with a fashion business degree from Glasgow Caledonian University in 2009.
During her studies she was part of the management team for the inaugural Glasgow Fashion Week in 2007 and worked as a freelance stylist.
Currently, she is working alongside some of the top names in the Scottish fashion industry, while dedicating time to establishing her Loula Creates collection.
“The fashion business is a highly competitive industry. There are so many talented people who are trying to get noticed so it takes a lot of determination and energy” says Louise.
“Ultimately I would like to see my collections available in Liberty, Urban Outfitters, Selfridges, Harrods and ASOS, so right now I am focusing on some new packaging concepts and some exclusive designs which I can introduce to buyers.”
Working from her studio at her home in Bishopbriggs, Louise handprints each pair of 80 denier tights using a freehand printing technique, and uses a digital printing application for her luxury jersey cotton leggings.
Revealing where she gets her inspiration, Louise said: “Style underpins all my creative work. Having the confidence to stand out and wear what makes you feel happy is important and I find for most people, the choice of colour, textile and prints can have a dramatic effect on how a person feels.
“The visual arts are a huge influence to me, especially abstract art. I believe that fashion should be fun, and never taken too seriously.”
To help launch her business, Louise received funding from The Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) which supports 18 – 25 year-olds start up and continue in business. In the last 12 months, the PSYBT has provided £2.1million to help 681 young entrepreneurs.
“Getting good business advice is crucial and the PSYBT have helped me enormously in this respect,” said Louise. “Mentoring and networking are also very important considerations when you are building your business and the team are always recommending contacts and leads who can help in different ways and this has proved invaluable to me.”
PSYBT regional manager for Glasgow, Sarah Scace, said: “Louise is stylish, vivacious and very talented. We have assisted lots of young Scottish designers who have gone on to become very successful and we have no doubt that Louise will go on to enjoy the same acclaim.”
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For further information please contact Jen Nash, Panache Communications on 0141 589 0514 / email: jen@panachecommunications.co.uk or Margaret Gibson of PSYBT on 0141 342 5942. You can also check out the PSYBT website at www.psybt.org.uk.
For further details please visit www.loulacreates.com or contact Louise on 07891123740.
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Contact: Jen Nash
Phone: 07971 466 220
Email: jen@panachecommunications.co.uk
Website: http://www.panachecommunications.co.uk
