Finance helps fashion label flourish

A fashion label, whose clothes have been worn by stars including Strictly Come Dancing’s Tess Daly, pop star Pixie Lott, and Kimberley Walsh of Girl’s Aloud, has made use of funding from Lancashire Community Finance to help support its expansion.

The 8th Sign fashion house was launched in 2014 by Lancashire-based Melissa Barton and her business partner Yasmin Todd. Since its launch, the label has won contracts with online fashion retailers, including ASOS and Next.

Now also selling to over thirty independent boutiques worldwide, the label and has enjoyed great success, especially after its garments were worn by a string of celebrities on TV and to high profile events.

Co-founder Melissa Barton says: “After years of working in the fashion industry in locations like Paris and Milan, Yasmin and I decided to take a leap and create a collection of beautiful, inventive pieces that will work hard for the woman who wears them.  Working with the wonderful people we’ve met along our paths, The 8th Sign’s aims to showcase local talent and put the love and longevity back into fashion.

“Our first year and a half in business has been successful beyond even our initial dreams and we found ourselves in need of finance to help support our rapid expansion. And, while we were already trading and successful, we found that we were still eligible for a Start Up Loan from Lancashire Community Finance, which suited our needs perfectly.”

Lancashire Community Finance is a successful delivery partner for government-backed Start Up Loans, providing face-to-face support across Lancashire and the surrounding areas, from offices in Preston and Skelmersdale. Start Up Loans officer Sophie Keeling says: “We can offer businesses that have been trading less than two years start up loans from as little as £500 up to £25,000 per person, paid back within 1-5 years at fixed 6.0% PA with no arrangement fees.  Applicants don’t just get financial help, they also get business support, with all successful loan applicants provided with a business mentor to help guide them on their path to success.” www.lancashirecommunityfinance.co.uk