Two of Liverpool’s emerging designers have got quite the resume under their belts already.
Ethan Leyland and Drew Kent, who both live in London now, have been making a name for themselves in what is considered a highly competitive industry. With many claiming it's not what you know but who you know in the fashion world, the pair's hard work, determination and innovative ideas showcase that having knowledge can actually pay off.
Drew, a fashion design with knit student, has always “been obsessed with fashion and the glamorous side of life”. He first studied fashion in high school, where he was the only boy in the school to do so. Despite knowing this would come with its challenges, he was determined to pursue his dream as this is what he “wanted to do with my life”.
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The Central Saint Martins student told the ECHO: “Fashion is a way for me to explore and express myself as a person, breaking down gender clothing categories and wearing what I want to wear. Since coming out I have found that I have gained an immense amount of confidence which has been reflected in my wardrobe choices.
“My style is now flamboyant and bold with contrasting bright colours and always an extra feminine flare. I like to dress unpredictably and tend to not follow high-street trends adorning an attitude for standing out. I think my outfit choices can also be seen throughout my designs, if it’s glittery or pink then I’m completely obsessed.”
The 22-year-old’s work is heavily influenced by queer culture and camp aesthetics, with often his designs portraying “quite a theatrical feel and exaggerated silhouettes”, and so when RuPaul’s Drag Race star Ginny Lemon approached him on Instagram it made perfect sense for the two to work together. Drew has created four looks in total for Ginny with each one becoming “more outrageous and zesty each time”.
Drew said: “The latest was an extravagant dog show host look for Manchester Pride. Looking into the future I have a couple more looks in the pipeline which I am currently working on, but I’m absolutely over the moon. I know this is only the beginning for me as a designer but to have already achieved something I’ve dreamed about for years is surreal. I feel very privileged to have been given such an opportunity to dress Ginny on multiple occasions knowing my work will be displayed in front of thousands.”
Drew is bringing his items to Liverpool this weekend as part of a LOANHOOD event - a website that allows emerging designers to rent their clothes out. His garments will be available at an affordable price to loan for editorial shoots, red carpets, and catwalks. Attendees can also expect to see originals from Liverpudlian TikTok star Ethan Leyland, who has dressed the likes of Burberry, Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger model Jourdan Dunn, Geordie Shore star Bethan Kershaw and singer Anne Marie.
He told the ECHO: “Having a big name choosing to wear my designs makes me feel seen and taken seriously. I’ve been designing for about 9 years and it’s only in the last year I’ve had a breakthrough and had some amazing opportunities come my way, so I’m feeling pretty grateful and blessed.”
Ethan first got involved with the fashion industry after he was “stuck in a dead-end job working nine to five and just knew something had to change” as he was “so unhappy and miserable” both in his job and his life. Wanting to put his “creativity first” for the sake of his mental health, he began pursuing fashion when he was 21 at a course in college.
He said: “As a gay man I find fashion an amazing way to communicate life experiences through my work. With everything I do, there is always a story behind it. I always define my style in designing as wearable couture which is accessible and affordable to as many people as possible. I use a lot of tailoring techniques to inspire my designs, such as 1950s Dior tailoring, which has really inspired my work recently.”
Ethan, who has been offered a design internship in New York for a year working with Oscar De Le Renta, uses his social media platform to “spread the sustainability message”. The content creator has gone viral on Instagram and TikTok for having done a lot of work which focuses on upcycling charity shop finds and reusing deadstock fabric.
He added: “The idea of LOANHOOD also focuses on sustainability, as designer pieces can be used time and time again for different people. Sustainable fashion is something I always aim for in my practice, and it’s great to see websites like this. I do my videos to try and inspire people to make conscious decisions when shopping as I always try charity shops before buying elsewhere first and Loanhood is just another great platform for sustainable fashion that I am so proud to be a part of!
LOANHOOD is bringing its fashion rental event to Space by Liquid, 67 Greenland Street, L1 0BY, on Saturday, October 15.
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