Success Stories

Laurie Bessems

After she finished the first year at the Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts & Design (MAFAD), Laurie Bessems decided that she wanted to specialize in knitwear. She moved to the UK and in 2016 she graduated cum laude from Nottingham Trent University, where she attended the Fashion Knitwear and Knitted Textile Design course. Her graduation work was exhibited during London Graduate Fashion Week 2016 and in 2014 she was one of the finalists of Britain’s Next Top Knitwear Designer.

Back in the Netherlands Laurie works with alpaca farmers/breeders from Limburg and uses hand spun yarn from a local petting zoo. “I want to know how the alpaca’s and angora goats live. How and by whom the raw material is processed into yarns. I also import beautiful alpaca yarns from a Peruvian company which mostly employs disadvantaged women and single teenage mothers”. Sustainable, luxury and fair are important keywords within Laurie’s work. “I hardly let myself be influenced by trends. My designs are timeless and can be worn for a long period of time”. Laurie is one of the participants of the Business Development Program from Fashion House. “It gives me a clear framework and structure in creating my own label. FASHIONCLASH brought me in contact with inspiring and professional people - it opens doors.”

Currently Laurie is developing bridal knitwear and accessories collection.