A brand new women’s fashion boutique is opening in Southport on Monday! (24th July 2023).
Debbie-Lyn Apparel is situated inside the beautiful Wayfarers Shopping Arcade on Lord Street and is owned by former fashion model and inclusivity campaigner Debbie-Lyn Connolly-Lloyd.
Debbie is offering “unapologetic fashion in sizes 8-28″ with lots of unique, colourful items on display, many in collaboration with other local fashion designers and business owners.
Exclusive items on sale will include unique hand-painted leather jackets by GoGairy, sportswear by designer Lissa MJY, funky bags by Daisy Amour, Jonah and Lily Sterling Silver Jewellery and more.
Debbie-Lyn Apparel will be open to everyone from Monday and will then be followed by an Official Opening Event on Saturday 12th August 2023 which will coincide with the regular craft and gift fair taking place inside the arcade.
Debbie-Lyn Connolly-Lloyd is opening her new shop Debbie-Lyn Apparel in Wayfarers Arcade on Lord Street in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
Debbie made headlines as she won the Sefton Diversity and Inclusion Award, sponsored by Sefton Council, at the 2023 Pride Of Sefton Awards held at The Grand in Southport in April.
She said: “Having been a fashion model for four years I came across a lot of prejudice within the fashion industry with a real lack of inclusion, especially towards plus-sized models.
“The skinnier models would be given racks of clothes, while I might be given just one or two outfits; their make-up would be done first while mine might get rushed at the end, if there was any time left.
“I decided to take matters into my own hands, and began Debbie-Lyn Apparel, an inclusive fashion brand.
“I began as an online seller, specialising in unapologetic fashion in sizes 8-28.
“The concept has taken off so well that I am now opening my very own shop inside Wayfarers Arcade in the heart of Southport!
“I love to wear bright and colourful clothes. But whenever I went into a shop looking for plus-size clothes, there was very little choice. They tended to be very black, very baggy and generally uninspiring!
Debbie-Lyn Connolly-Lloyd is opening her new shop Debbie-Lyn Apparel in Wayfarers Arcade on Lord Street in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
“Shoppers used to be able to shop for plus sized clothes at Matalan and New Look in Southport, but those two shops don’t offer those ranges in-store in Southport any more.
“I know people can shop online, but it is just not the same as walking into a shop and seeing and trying on the clothes yourself.
“I will also be here to offer any advice to anyone who needs it.
“We have a changing room here with a full-length mirror, and the shop is very accessible.
“I have a neurological condition which means I am in a wheelchair sometimes. Wayfarers Arcade itself is very accessible and I have deliberately left lots of space inside my shop to allow anyone in a wheelchair the ability to get around, which sadly isn’t the case with all shops.
“It is such a beautiful arcade. I am originally from the Cayman Islands, but often came to Southport as I was growing up because my Mum had family who lived here.
“I have very happy memories of visiting Southport, going to the Botanic Gardens in Churchtown and coming into Wayfarers Arcade, buying marbles from a shop that used to be here.
“I have always loved Wayfarers Arcade! There have been some really good independent businesses opening here recently and Pudding and Pie is always very busy! It feels like a really great place to be, very much on the up.
Debbie-Lyn Connolly-Lloyd is opening her new shop Debbie-Lyn Apparel in Wayfarers Arcade on Lord Street in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
“I am looking forward to holding a spectacular opening event for DL Apparel on Saturday 12th August at Wayfarers Arcade, from 11am-5pm.
“There is a regular craft and gift fair being hosted in the arcade on the day, as well as the official opening of my boutique.
“There will be fashion shows taking place at 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm showcasing some gorgeous summer fashion from the boutique as well as hand-painted leather jackets by GoGairy, sportswear by Lissa MJY and funky bags by Daisy Amour.
“We will have the very talented Glammed By Paige doing models’ make-up.
“I will have five gorgeous models taking part from my diverse selection of VIP members: Catherine Cox, Mia Pickett, Adele Bretherton, Tracey Maddock, Angie Sutcliffe.
“Please come along and take a look at my new shop, I am looking forward to welcoming everyone.”
Debbie-Lyn Apparel is at Wayfarers Shopping Arcade on Lord Street in Southport PR8 1NT. For more details please Like the Debbie-Lyn Apparel page on Facebook and Follow the debbielynapparel account on Instagram.
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