High Street Fashion Week is nearly upon us and I am going to be finding out more about some of the designers featuring. First up is the brilliant Leren Connor, a British designer who has launched a diverse and eclectic label that brings colour and imagination to your wardrobe. She specialises in handmade with love clothing and accessories; as well as customised clothing, shoes and accessories. Leren’s clothing is girly but has that funky edge which sets it apart from other fashion ranges. Using her inspiration of British fashion, Leren Connor targets many audiences regardless of their age. She creates a sophisticated street style with an uptown twist, aiming to make customers feel special knowing that by wearing one off pieces; no one will be sporting the same designs.
The majority of materials she sources for her designs are from the UK. In 2012, whilst still only in her 3rd year studying fashion, Leren bravely made the decision to become self employed. Since this time she has gained a loyal following on Facebook and Twitter and is now in the process of launching her own website. She has also opened her first Boutique in her hometown of Derby at the age of 21, which has allowed her to find out what people want from a Fashion Designer.
I was lucky enough to pose Leren a few questions to find out more about her, as well as her fashion range.
1. What inspired you to start up the brand?
I did a year placement with a local designer when I first started out, here I learned basic sewing and really got an insight of what it took to run your own label, during my year out from university (DPP) I decided to go self employed.
2. How would you describe your clothes?
Quirky and eclectic but also very diverse which enables my Label to target a wider audience.
3. Have you always been interested in fashion?
Yes I have always been interested in fashion, from a young age I’ve always had my own unique style, the day my mum said I can start dressing myself was easily one of the best days of my life.
4. If you weren’t in fashion what career would you have chosen?
I would more than likely have been a dancer or doing some sort of contribution to music as growing up I spent a lot of time in a dance studio or a music studio.
5. Which designers inspire you?
Karl Lagerfeld and Henry Holland.
6. If you could collaborate with any designer, who would you choose?
Definitely Henry Holland because I can relate to a lot of his work and just think he’s brilliant. I find his work simple yet always eye catching and I personally think that sometimes that is more important.
7. What do you enjoy most about creating your own lines?
Seeing the final pieces coming together and doing the shoots, you get to see the whole concept laid out in front of you.
8. How did you get involved with HSFW?
I’m part of a new project called Midlands Designer POPup Boutique we all work together in promoting our brands and doing shows and events together, one of the other designers involved who is also being part of HSFW sent us all the details and it went from there.
9. How is preparation going?
Preparation is going good I’ve been creating a lot of new patterns and sourcing new fabrics as well as sorting out the best of my stock to bring with me.
10. What are you looking forward to most about attending?
Being involved in this is a big deal to me, on the whole this is probably the biggest event my Label has been a part of; I’m looking forward to meeting new people and hopefully gaining potential new contacts. I’m also looking forward to being back in London, I’ve had work down in London in the past and I always enjoy my time there.
Leren has just recently launched her new collection ‘Street Credibility’ which will be on sale at High Street Fashion Week. This Collection is inspired by texture, shape and print and brings a mysterious yet funky edginess to fashion. I can’t wait to go and take a look for myself!
