A model who has faced "prejudice" for being plus-sized has started her own fashion boutique.
Debbie-Lyn Connolly-Lloyd has "taken matters into her own hands" and will be opening her very own shop in Southport on Monday, July 24. The former fashion model said she wanted to create an inclusive fashion brand for everyone to enjoy.
Her store Debbie-Lyn Apparel is situated inside Wayfarers Shopping Arcade on Lord Street and Debbie is offering “unapologetic fashion in sizes” with lots of unique, colourful items on display, many in collaboration with other local fashion designers and business owners.
Debbie told the ECHO: "Having been a fashion model for four years I came across a lot of prejudice within the fashion industry with a real lack of inclusion, especially towards plus-sized models.
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"The skinnier models would be given racks of clothes, while I might be given just one or two outfits; their make-up would be done first while mine might get rushed at the end if there was any time left. I decided to take matters into my own hands, and began Debbie-Lyn Apparel, an inclusive fashion brand."
Items on sale will include unique hand-painted leather jackets by GoGairy, sportswear by designer Lissa MJY, and, funky bags by Daisy Amour. Debbie-Lyn Apparel will be open from Monday and will then be followed by an official opening event on Saturday, August 12, 2023
Debbie said: "Shoppers used to be able to shop for plus-sized clothes at Matalan and New Look in Southport, but those two shops don’t offer those ranges in-store in Southport anymore. I know people can shop online, but it is just not the same as walking into a shop and seeing and trying on the clothes yourself.
"I have very happy memories of visiting Southport, going to the Botanic Gardens in Churchtown and coming into Wayfarers Arcade, buying marbles from a shop that used to be here. I have always loved Wayfarers Arcade there have been some really good independent businesses opening here recently… It feels like a really great place to be."
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