Member Article

Princes Trust kick starts Leeds fashion entrepreneurs home-grown business

Young Leeds entrepreneur Harjinder Nangla is aiming high with his new fashion line LS Clothing.

With just a £250 fund from the Princes Trust, and help of business mentor and recruitment agent Andrew Pickersgill, Harjinder has designed and sourced materials for his new range which he is pitching to retailers in Leeds.

Harjinder said: “The style will be integrated into the skateboarding and UK hiphop scenes, with a long-term goal of taking our items global. Our aim is to make the ‘LS’ and ‘13’ logos a defining image of 2014.

“All of our clothing is designed by myself and manufactured in the UK.

“LS Clothing was developed with help from Studio12, a media centre for people aged 16 – 30, based in Leeds Central Library.

About the Princes Trust which kick-started his business he said: “I first got involved with the Princes Trust through my local jobcentre after discussing my ideas with an advisor there.

“I then attended a 4 day enterprise programme with the Princes Trust, during which I detailed my business plan for LS Clothing.

“The Princes trust then gave me access to a £250 start-up grant and a business mentor, Andrew Pickersgill.

“Through weekly meetings with Andrew, which still take place, I was able to develop the brand and move forward with my vision for the company.

“Working with Andrew has been hugely beneficial towards my long-term goals, helping to bring my vision of LS Clothing to life and develop it further.

“Without help from the Princes Trust, getting the project off the ground would have been much more difficult, if not impossible.

“Leeds has some fantastic clothing stores, from small independents to national chains, and it would be great to see LS Clothing lines in a variety of these.

“I have recently opened up discussions with a few stores regarding stocking our items, although as these are in the initial stages.”

Andrew Pickersgill, Princes Trust business mentor, who Bdaily reported on here, and founder of United Recruitment said: ““Harjinder is an inspiration to us all. He is clearly an exceptionally talented artist and it is fantastic seeing him use this in his clothing designs.

“Through the business support provided by the Princes Trust mentor scheme we have been able to provide him with a bit of structure towards his marketing and business planning and I’m sure many people will be seen in his clothing range soon!”.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .