Hapton student launches new fashion business (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Hapton student launches new fashion business
12:20pm Thursday 1st November 2012 in News
Liz Trafford with some of her sparkly shoes
A STUDENT who had a ‘crystal clear’ idea for a new business is taking orders from across the country for glitzy transformations of shoes and accessories.
Business owner and mother Liz Trafford, 24, of Shawbrook Close, Hapton, was inspired to set up internet company Unique Boutique when she couldn’t find the ‘sparkle’ she wanted on the high street.
Her boutique offers a quirky way to customise shoes, clothes and other items – anything from children’s footwear to phone cases.
The designs consist of Swarovski crystals or rhinestones in an array of colours. The idea was partially inspired by the ‘sparkly’ glamour of TV shows such as The Only Way Is Essex.
Liz, who is planning her wedding to partner Ryan Wilkinson, 28, next year, said: “I looked around for some shoes and thought to myself, ‘you know what, I could do this myself’.”
She started with some shoes for her bridesmaids and then moved to a pair of Converse baseball shoes for her goddaughter.
The interest sparked by this meant Liz was gaining more and more requests until she finally set up her Twitter and Facebook pages for Unique Boutique.
Liz , who attended St Hilda’s High School, Burnley, and is currently studying media at UCLAN in the town, said the business ties in really well with her course.
She said: "I’m a student and I’m also incredibly busy with my three-year-old son Ollie, so it's nice to have something a little bit glamorous to do outside of that.
“I’ve got orders in advance of the Christmas party season and I’m hoping it will continue to grow after that.”
