LIVERPOOL is falling in love with Lola. Lola Loves is the baby of Huyton-born fashion designer Debbie Bogg. She’s been making clothes for herself and her friends since she was a teenager, and last July opened her first store in Cavern Walks.
Its catwalk-inspired bespoke designs means it’s already proving a magnet for the glitterati – Corrie’s Kym Marsh stocked up on summer’s collection.
For autumn, Debbie has taken Dallas, Madonna, Chanel and 40s sharp tailoring as her inspiration. She’ll add a party twist to her collection as the party season approaches with sizzling reds, and work in details in lace.
Having her own local manufacturing base means she can tailor her designs to customer requirements. “If someone loves a dress but isn’t keen on showing her arms, I can put sleeves on it or take it in or let it out, or change the colour to suit their skin tone,” she explains.
“Every garment I sell has my label on it and it won’t leave the store unless I think it’s perfect and it’s going to be loved.”
Mother-of-one Debbie has sold her designs at markets like Great Homer Street and in other’s shops. She also worked styling shop windows. But turning 30 made her decide it was now or never to realise her dream and go it alone. She’s opened her boutique at a time of hot competition on the Liverpool high street. But she’s convinced women in the region are prepared to pay extra for individuality and top quality materials.
“My customers buy something from my shop, then go and get something from the high street, then they come back here,” she says.
“You get used to wearing materials that make you feel good. Plus, when you put on a Topshop dress, everyone recognises it from the last year because you’ve seen it so many times. Because I only make two or three in each design and I can do one-offs in different colours, people get them out again and again.”
But there are some trends that have such a grip on the city’s imagination they just won’t die.
“I’ve been waiting for ruffles to go out of fashion,” laughs Debbie, “but they just won’t! I’ll design something new and do something in ruffles and the ruffles will fly out of the shop. I’m sick of making them! But, if customers love something, Lola Loves it, too.
“I want every woman who buys something from Lola Loves to feel confident and beautiful when they’re wearing one of my designs”.
