Introducing Elspeth, our Design Manager and the person behind some of your most loved L&Y prints. Read more about her inspiration, journey into design and ultimately, how she makes what moves her 🎨

Did you always know you wanted to be a designer? 

I think I’ve always known I wanted to be a designer from a young age, even if it wasn’t apparent. I’ve always loved clothes and have been drawn to how different outfits present different versions of yourself and reflect your inner self. Plus, my mum says I was always wearing my Sunday best to preschool - because every day is a day to wear the clothes you love! At primary school I had a purple fluffy notebook which I used to draw different clothes in, as well as dressmaking with my mum from a young age. So all in all, I think being a designer was in the stars!

Where did your love of design begin?

I think my love for design and fashion came from growing up with a creative family, as my mum has always encouraged crafting whether it was cross stitch, knitting, painting, dress making; and I was hooked from a young age. My favourite subject at school was textiles - I loved experimenting with different textures and techniques. I also had a Vogue subscription and it would be my favourite day of the month when it arrived. 

How did you get into design?

The path for every designer is different, but for me I studied textiles for Fashion and Interiors at University, and exhibited my work at New Designers, however no job opportunities came from that and I worked in retail for a few years post uni. Fast forward and I got a job working in a very cute little pink shop in Brighton (you know the one!) After meeting Lucy and chatting about my designs, I started doing a couple of days a week working on designs, which then developed into a full time role and here I am….

What do you love most about being a designer?

Six years on and I still just love the creative freedom being a designer at L&Y offers, as a brand that isn’t trend led it means we can have a lot of fun when designing. Also the team! They are simply wonderful.

 Where do you find inspiration? 

When it comes to finding inspiration, the honest truth is that it’s found everywhere! I love going to exhibitions, and especially textile museums, as they’re always so inspiring. We’re very lucky that we get to travel to incredible places and cities to find inspiration: flea markets, street art, local exhibitions - it all feeds us. For me, I also find watching films brings new ideas as I often find inspiration in fictional worlds. 

What challenges do you face?

Design doesn’t come without its challenges and trying to work across multiple seasons at once can be tricky. Being a sustainable brand, there’s many techniques that we avoid which means we need to reinvent our sustainable styles. Sure, it can be a challenge but it really pushes us to be more innovative and creative and as a result we create beautiful pieces which we know are true to our values. 

What advice would you give to anyone else starting out on a design journey? 

Try not to compare yourself or your work to others - comparison is the thief of joy. I have definitely struggled with this in the past, but I’ve learnt that comparison and self doubt will only ever hinder your work - so believe in yourself! 

What piece are you most proud of? 

I still think it was my first ever collection I designed as a whole ‘edit’ which was called ‘Sundaze’. It was all very new to me but I worked closely with Lucy on it and it ended up being a really fun, sun bleached collection. Seeing my work in magazines and fashion websites (the likes of WGSN) is always a very surreal feeling. Most importantly seeing the designs I love so much on so many wonderful people and bringing them joy never fails to light up my day. 

All time favourite L&Y pieces?!

There are so, so many to choose from but I think some of my favourites would have to be: 

Adair, Rumours, Meadow, Josey-Patch, Dawn, Frida, Devan, Wildflower