A DREAM has come true for an enthusiastic Dragon’s Den contestant whose eco-friendly fashion idea was rejected on TV.
Budding entrepreneur Lucy Norris failed to persuade a panel of five multimillion investors to back her unique business on the BBC reality show.
The 37-year-old, from Byley, launched Secondhand Styling UK to encourage more people to shop, swap and appreciate secondhand clothes.
Knutsford mum and fashion buyer Kayley Gibbons was so impressed by her TV pitch, she offered Lucy a studio above her children’s boutique, Mini & Moi on Princess Street.
Lucy said: “This is a dream come true for me. I have always wanted to open a studio.
“My mum, Alison, brought me up on her own and she made pre-loved items look fantastic, which is where I inherited my passion for secondhand.
“Now I want to impart my knowledge and top tips to encourage customers to shop consciously, buy better and love things for longer.”
Creative stylist Lucy has amassed a wealth of experience, working in America for 15 years.
At 20, she moved to New York to follow her dream of TV presenting, with nothing more than a suitcase of secondhand clothes.
With style and panache, she covered fashion live catwalks in Milan and Paris, wearing her own recycled outfits.
“You can never wear something twice on TV,” said Lucy.
“You don’t need £1m to look like a million.
“I am living proof after spending my life winging my way through the world of fashion on a budget.
“I used to style myself and always wore secondhand.
“It’s time for me to share my lifelong secrets of turning pre-loved pieces into premium pieces.
“I want to show people how to make something look and feel expensive.”
Lucy, who has a four-month-old daughter, Geneva, will open her studio on a part-time basis, Friday and Saturday, to begin with.
Earth Day, Saturday, April 20, has been chosen for the launch to highlight the importance of climate change, sustainable fashion and an end to plastic pollution.
There will be a fee of £25 for customers to swap three items, including dresses, tops and jackets, plus a rail of designer and vintage pieces.
“The items will be carefully selected and quality controlled, ensuring we only offer the best pre-loved clothes,” said Lucy.
“They will be colour co-ordinated and grouped into seven styles, such as romantic and active.”
Appointments will be required for a personal 10-minute style chat and consultation.
Lucy said: “People may have something they want to hold onto that’s lying in their wardrobe but they don’t know when or how they are going to wear it.
“I can help customers with direction and styling.
“If people want to just come in and treasure hunt themselves, that is fine.
“It’s all about putting fun back into fashion.”
For more details or to book an appointment with Lucy at the studio visit secondhandstyling.co.uk
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