“I always knew that I wanted to do something creative.” It’s safe to say that, fashion designer, DJ, and now, budding interior designer, Louisa Jane Moran, hit the nail on the head with her post leaving certificate aspirations. A self-awareness that can pass many an eighteen year old.
Louisa Jane’s sense of self lead her to study fashion design in Sallynoggin College and, upon completion, took her down the route of fashion buying. “I definitely wasn’t ready to start a label straight out of college. I just felt that I was too young. I wasn’t ready to go out on my own, I wanted to gain knowledge first rather than jumping right in.
Louisa Jane gained knowledge in the fashion industry, but not through buying, as she initially had thought she would. “Buying wasn’t creative” she states “and it just wasn’t for me. I wanted to do something more expressive, so moved towards visual display and merchandising. I got my foot in the door, firstly at A-Wear and then ended up working for seven years as VM in Penneys.”
A milestone, of some sort, for so many of Dublin’s fashion creatives, it was while she was there that Louisa Jane kicked off her designing. “I was, customizing collars to begin with and then selling them in the Flea Markets in Bernard Shaw, it was a great place to start, a great place to get feedback on my work. Alongside my VM work, I set Lou Lou’s Lovelies selling cutesy craft accessories from my Instagram.”
Making their way from social to somewhere more a little more substantial, Lou Lou’s Lovelies, which ranged from customized bows to collars were picked up and sold in Powerscourt.
Louisa Jane and her brand moved further afield as she did a stint in America. “I continued my brand over there and it was really well received, with orders going back home to Ireland and selling locally too. It was brilliant to get that reaction. Then ever since I got back, I’ve just been building my brand Louisa Jane Design as a DJ and an designer.”
What Louisa Jane built aside from beats, was beautiful mesh of Bauhaus and mid-century Japanese-inspired creations, dripped in primary colour. “I design bespoke clothing, accessories and baby giftware. I have a playful approach to design. My aesthetic is comfort, ease and simplicity where nothing is ever overtly structured or tailored. Colour, shape print and texture are always priority and I let those elements be the main focal point, effortlessly.”
Louisa Jane also talks about a longevity that she purposely incorporates into her work. “As much as I love fashion, I don’t like to be affected too much by what’s ‘on trend’ I prefer instead to create quality, timeless pieces that will last and be appreciated for many years.”
Selling her brand, but not her soul, “I definitely design a little bit selfishly and create pieces that I would like to have or wear myself. I know it’s important to think commercially but I think it’s more important for my brand to reflect the things I love and what inspires me.”
Louisa Jane Design can be found on sale in Om Diva and are made to order via her website www.louisajanedesign.com
Words: Sinead O’Reilly
