A Liverpool designer prepares ‘months in advance’ for Aintree’s Grand National Festival.
Bethany Chard, owner of By Esme Rose, took a huge risk in 2019 and left her design job and put everything on the line to focus on her own brand - but has now said it was the ‘best thing she’s ever done.
The designer, from Wallasey, studied at Liverpool Community College for two years before completing her degree at Liverpool John Moores University in Fashion Design. Bethany then went on to work for Manchester-based suppliers Visage where she designed outfits for Next, New Look, Primark and more.
READ MORE: 27 people who stole the show at Aintree on Grand National Ladies Day 2023
After travelling around the world, where she spent time working with various suppliers, Bethany decided to set up ‘By Esme Rose’ as a side project. Now, the brand has 63k Instagram followers and a host of celebrity customers including Amber Davies, Elle Brown and Maura Higgins.
All pieces of clothing at By Esme Rose are designed and handmade to measure in its Liverpool based studio. Among the designs are many for Aintree’s Grand National Festival.
Liverpool girls start their prep for Aintree months in advance as it is one of Liverpool’s biggest calendar events, and Bethany is no different. She said: “Liverpool girls don’t do things by halves, when they are dressing up they are dressing up.
“The super organised girls actually start to come in as early as January for their races outfits. They take so much pride in how they look and we just love making them feel even more confident in what they are wearing.
“We are literally back to back making dresses and having fittings nearly every day of the week. It is so busy, especially as I’m a working mum but also so much fun."
In preparation for Aintree, By Esme Rose ‘hunt for the most amazing fabrics months in advance.’ Many of the looks are custom pieces that the customer has chosen themselves, they then help 'bring their vision to life.’
Bethany said she adores seeing 'amazing pictures' of her customers all dolled up in their outfits. She added: “I love seeing outfits go from the initial ideas to the final thing. There really is nothing like the excitement and creating custom looks for our gorgeous clients.”
Bethany has big plans for the future of By Esme Rose. Currently, she has a small team but said: “I would love to grow the business to be able to employ other young passionate hard working girls, fashion is such a hard industry to break into.
“I knew I was talented but no one would give me a chance at the start as I didn’t have much experience, once you break into the industry it’s an amazing world to work in. Working for myself, the people I have met along the way, the experiences, the fun at shoots etc really is a dream job. I always put myself out there, I'm not scared of being told no.”
Life through a new lens. We are Curiously. Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
READ NEXT:
DJ who started raving at 16 now at heart of Liverpool's 'close knit' music scene
'I thought he was going to kill me so I pushed him out the window'
'Miracle in a bottle' fake tan Ryan Gosling wears in Barbie movie
Grand National 2023 fashion trend spotted all over Aintree racecourse on Saturday
Helen Flanagan's message to Carol Vorderman as she misses Grand National
