For Newcastle’s Modern Day Pin-Ups!

by Melissa Priest on February 9, 2011

Clothing label Miss Lulu is the baby of Brianna Brent, or ‘Lulu’ as she has always been nicknamed. Newcastle born and bred Brianna, loves all things 50’s, and her clothing label definitely reflects that.  Her use of gingham prints, polka dots and rock n roll swing skirts pays tribute to the iconic era!

Sick of seeing ill fitting garments, and not interested in mass-produced, run of the mill clothing, Brianna set about creating her own label and is involved in every step of the fashion design process, from initial idea, right through to handcrafting each piece. This allows Brianna to ensure the highest quality, and make limited edition pieces that allow girls to be individual.

I am loving the Miss Lulu dresses - my faves are the Rockabilly Mini Swing Dress (so Mad Men!), the Bombshell V-Neck (already in my shopping cart), and the Trailer Trash Singlet dresses - how cool are the names! And if you have the body……the tie-up tops and super  cheeky shorts are hot hot hotty hot!

Brianna shared some info about Miss Lulu….

Tell us a little about Miss Lulu?

Miss Lulu is a 1950s inspired clothing label for modern day pin-ups! Suggestive of bombshells and screen sirens of the war years, Miss Lulu handcrafts cheeky, figure flaunting pieces from classic rockabilly and pin-up inspired prints. Think pin-up polka dots, sexy leopard print, nautical stripes, trailer trash rockabilly ginghams in signature styles & designs that you will knock your socks off!

How do you continue to come up with new ideas / inspiration for your designs?

Miss Lulu creates for a spring/ summer, autumn indent and winter collection each year. Signature styles are often carried through and new ideas are played on from the original looks of 1950s pin up girls. Other sources of inspiration come from the rockabilly movement, world war movies, vintage flash and tattoos, my favourite American pin up artist, cheeky fabrics and print….plus lots & lots more! New ideas can come from anything at anytime, often striking in unexpected forms!

What can we expect to see from Miss Lulu in the future?

Cute little Miss Lulu Boutiques coming to a location near you! A one-stop-shop for pin-up and rockabilly lovers! Maybe even a Mr Lulu for the boys!

What are your thoughts on Newcastle as a creative hub for fashion, how are we doing?

I think we are quite progressive with many people not afraid to try their own thing and be open to different looks and ideas that are not typically “in”. Miss Lulu has been received very well with a growing number of loyal local fans that love to rock the cheeky pin-up looks or add signature pieces to their wardrobes each season!

I think we are headed in the right direction with creative initiatives established such as Renew Newcastle and the Olive Tree handmade markets, where local designers at last, have an outlet and opportunity to sell to the public. I think we still need to see more creative spaces and prospects become available and supported however, for the vast number of designers in Newcastle that are trying to start up or grow small creative businesses.

To grab your own piece of 50‘s inspired, unique fashion from another of Newcastle’s clever young talent, visit www.missluluclothing.weebly.com for stockists or shop online at www.missluluclothing.bigcartel.com.