Profiling Business
Lizzy Nolan
Lizzy Nolan designs ladies coats using a combination of luxurious fabrics and bold prints complemented by fine tailoring.
Leaving Dublin at 17, Irish born Lizzy Nolan began a global voyage, living in a variety of diverse cultures, from Egypt to Vietnam. While living in Hong Kong and working as a fashion house fitting-model for a variety of internationally renowned brands, Lizzy began her informal training. Learning the importance of attention to detail and how to fit clothes in order to make the most of a womanly figure, she also gained invaluable knowledge and a love of fabrics.
Throughout Lizzy’s career in the Asian fashion industry, she witnessed firsthand how unrealistic demands for cheaper, quicker fashion had eventually damaged many small businesses. Using this insight and a degree in Social Studies, Lizzy has worked hard to build a unique and sustainable relationship directly with a family of tailors. Lizzy continually strives to produce sustainable, ethical collections.
Lizzy’s collection of ladies coats with their timeless classics and dramatic looks, have built a loyal and international client base.
“My participation in the Business Support Programme at CSF could not have come at a better time, as I was in the process of a total re-branding and change of direction for my business.
I must admit I was slightly nervous before I arrived at the first workshop, not sure if I should be bare-foot and wearing only hemp or if the mere mention of the “C” word, as in I work directly with a family of tailors in “China” would result in gasps of horror or hissing from the group! But this was not the case at all, what I learned from the extremely diverse and informative workshops that followed, was that although there is always room for improvement, I was in fact on the right track.
Building a business within this ethos is not easy for even the richest fashion brands, so any changes to my business must be both ethical and commercially viable. Simply put, if I am unable to sustain the business itself, then there is little hope of sustaining much else.
It was so refreshing to meet and learn about other business owners and designers that strive to work in an ethical way, even the smallest change in thought and practice can help in the drive towards a more sustainable Industry.”
- Visit Lizzy Nolan
