Lisa Taylor

Lisa is a Lecturer in Clothing Technology at the University of Manchester, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and an Associate of the Textile Institute.

Lisa returned to academia after many years in industry and received a MSc in Advanced Clothing Production at Hollings Faculty. Lisa was employed as an Associate Lecturer in the subjects Clothing Technology and Fashion Buying and Merchandising.

A short time later, Lisa commenced work as a Clothing Technology Lecturer at the School of Materials, University of Manchester. Lecturing in the subject areas, Garment Technology, Fashion Buying and Merchandising, Sourcing and Distribution, Fashion Business Analysis are many other subjects befitting her industrial experience.

Whilst only an undergraduate at Hollings Faculty, Lisa designed and manufactured garments which were sold through small businesses in Manchester.

After graduation, Lisa started her career in industry working as Designer for a manufacturer and supplier to ‘GUS’ Great Universal Stores (a catalogue company now known as Shop Direct). Whilst working full time Lisa was continuing to design and sell garments which led to eventually her creating her own eponymous women’s wear fashion label / business full time.

The label ‘Lilly Whittingham’ (named after Lisa’s great grandmother.) Began retailing garments in the Royal Exchange Manchester and Hyper Hyper in Kensington London. With the aid of her then business partner Peter Kelly, the business enjoyed great success and a high profile from the interest of London based press and journalists featuring in Vogue, Cosmopolitan, women’s fashion periodicals, and music promotion videos.

The business continued to thrive, exhibiting ranges at the Islington Business Design Centre, London.  This generated interest from Fashion Retailers globally, and the business commenced exporting garments to mainland Europe and globally as far as Japan, New Zealand, USA etc in addition to selling to prestigious retailer Harrods at their new young designer section ‘Way In’.

Going from strength to strength the business established a manufacturing and distribution base in Manchester. Design and Product Development was completed with the in-house design team, as the Design Director Lisa oversaw the Manufacturing Plant and the Design Office.

Within a short period of time the business went from a small start-up ‘kitchen table top’ to with a multimillion pound turnover business. It went on to open its own retailer outlets though out the UK with a mixture of standalone units and concessions in various departments stores. The business had tens of thousands of loyal customers regular following the brand and purchasing garments.

The experience of establishing, managing and running the business has enabled Lisa to transfer her knowledge and experience to her role as a lecturer at the School of Materials. Lisa has a keen interest on supervising and mentoring incubator and start up business.