Liverpool fashion designer is launching a new teen collection inspired by Scouse girls

Liverpool fashion brand Francesca Couture is launching a new collection for teenagers inspired by Scouse girls.

Francesca Kearns, who owns and runs the successful city-based company, will debut her new range at a Scouse Girl Social event this month.

Her designs have been hugely popular, especially with Liverpool fashion lovers, for almost two decades since she started the label aged 21.

Now she hopes the new Fashionista by Francesca collection won’t just bridge the gap between kids and womenswear, but encourage young girls to follow their own ideas and passions.

Francesca, who lives in West Derby, has been involved from the beginning in creating Scouse Girl Social which will take place at BOXPARK on October 12.

She’s worked alongside Nicola Byrne and Sarah Worsley, directors of Girls With Dreams Club, to put together an event which combines workshops, talks, fashion and beauty, live music and DJs to inspire and empower young girls in Liverpool.

And, she says, it was speaking to girls at the club which gave her ideas for Fashionista by Francesca.

She explained:

“We did a fashionista forum event at Girls With Dreams back in June to ask them what they actually wanted. They basically all said they just wear gymwear because they feel safe, comfortable and they know they won’t stand out. 

“That really surprised me because when I was younger we wanted to wear the latest thing before anyone else but from what they were saying it feels like now they’re happy to just be followers instead of leaders. We want to instil in them that it’s OK to be a leader, it’s actually quite cool, but in the right way.

“I wanted to create something that the girls want to wear and the mums don’t mind them wearing, so it’s a happy medium. They did mood boards and came up with some of their own designs, then I took the main elements from their feedback to develop and design this collection. 

“It’s casual occasionwear, for when they’re looking for something a bit special that means something, maybe for a birthday or going out around Christmas. Nothing too over-the-top but more than just fast fashion, that they feel confident wearing.”

Francesca, who has two daughters aged 7 and 11, says many of her customers from the early days of Francesca Couture are now mums themselves, with pre-teen or teenager daughters.

“It’s a way of giving something back to the younger generation and also the women who have always bought my clothes and are now looking for something for their daughters to wear.”

Fashion will play a big part in Scouse Girl Social, and its founders hope it will help start wider conversations and messaging.

“I think Girls With Dream Club is fantastic so I said to Nic, why don’t we do an event together where I bring the fashion, the superficial element of what girls want, and you and Sarah bring the what girls need element?

“That’s about the underlying message of self-awareness, confidence, letting them know it’s OK to have certain feelings and bringing something inspirational to them that maybe they don’t even know they need yet.”

Francesca will be among the women from different industries leading panel talks on the day, and then she’ll be unveiling the made-to-order Fashionista by Francesca collection with a special catwalk show.

“We’ll have girls from the Girls With Dreams Club and my older daughter Petra modelling so they’ll all be aged 11 to 16.

“I’m really excited to see how they feel when they wear the designs and see their ideas come to life on the catwalk. I hope this inspires them too, and they understand you can do what you put your mind to, it’s not too far out of reach.”

Scouse Girl Social is at BOXPARK on Sunday October 12. Find out more here.

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