A Perthshire woman’s journey from altering school uniforms to dressing a global superstar is a testament to entrepreneurial spirit and creative vision. Jade Robertson, originally from Perth, founded her fashion brand, Little Lies, a decade ago, transforming a bedroom hobby into a thriving business boasting over £2 million in annual revenue.
Her designs, characterized by a distinctive bohemian aesthetic reminiscent of the 1970s, have captured the attention of fashion enthusiasts worldwide. Initially, the venture focused on carefully selected pieces from external suppliers, sold primarily through an online shop. However, a significant shift occurred in 2023 when Little Lies transitioned exclusively to showcasing Jade’s own creations, manufactured in reputable overseas facilities. A Local Success Story
The brand’s remarkable growth is not solely attributable to a single event. While a considerable surge in orders followed Taylor Swift being photographed in one of Little Lies’ dresses, the brand’s enduring popularity rests on its core values: celebrating women’s individuality, prioritizing high-quality materials and comfortable fits, and providing inclusive sizing from size 6 to 24.
Robertson attributes her passion for 70s-inspired fashion to the influence of her aunt, a renowned singer with the New Seekers. Growing up surrounded by vintage stage costumes and stories of iconic musical collaborations, Robertson developed a unique fashion sensibility that would eventually define her brand’s identity. Her early creative explorations included personalizing her school uniform, a precursor to her current designs which are now available in sizes 14-18. The fact that many of these are the best-selling sizes reflects the brand’s commitment to catering for diverse body shapes and sizes. From School Plays to Fashion Mogul
Robertson’s entrepreneurial journey began unexpectedly. Despite achieving impressive academic results at Perth High School, she chose to forgo higher education to focus on organizing Rock the Catwalk, a local charity fashion show. This pivotal experience provided invaluable insight into the intricacies of event management and solidified her determination to pursue a creative career path. Her involvement in the Perth Concert Hall-hosted show for four years even involved enlisting her father, an architect, as a model.
Following her time with the show, Robertson combined her skills by working in a Dunfermline boutique and continuing with her personal venture making tie-dye T-shirts. The business evolved into a small standalone retail space in Dundee for several years, providing valuable experience in customer engagement. However, Robertson made the strategic decision to close the physical store after the pandemic, opting instead to focus her energy on designing and scaling Little Lies’ online presence. This resulted in a move to her current workspace in Glencarse. The Taylor Swift Effect and Beyond
While the international spotlight shone brightly on Little Lies following the Taylor Swift sighting, the brand’s success story is far more complex and compelling. The increased publicity was a fantastic boost, particularly with sales of one particular design skyrocketing from a few hundred to over six thousand in a short time frame. The success reflects the brand’s alignment with the pop star’s values of empowering women and being unapologetically authentic.
Robertson’s recent collaboration with St Johnstone FC, designing their 24/25 third kit, highlights her growing prominence in both the fashion and sporting worlds. The success of her designs are a source of pride for both the designer and her local community. The combination of Robertson’s creative flair, business acumen and inclusive sizing has created a winning formula. Balancing Family and Business
Today, Robertson juggles the demands of a thriving business with the joys of motherhood. Balancing work and family life is a priority, and her weekends are now filled with family time instead of the frenetic pace of early career days. This new approach to her business hasn’t limited its ambition; the future of Little Lies focuses on measured growth, prioritizing the development of collections that reflect Robertson’s personal style and values. Her story is a reminder that success can come in many forms, often requiring a balance of creativity, resilience, and adaptability, which all played a part in her incredible success story. ” , “positive_prompt”: “Photorealistic image of a smiling woman in her thirties, standing confidently in her well-lit design studio in Glencarse, Perthshire. She’s surrounded by bolts of colorful fabrics, sewing machines, and mood boards featuring 1970s-inspired fashion. Warm, natural light streams through large windows overlooking a picturesque Scottish landscape. The overall mood is one of creative energy, success, and relaxed confidence. The style should be a blend of photojournalism and aspirational lifestyle photography.
Her designs, characterized by a distinctive bohemian aesthetic reminiscent of the 1970s, have captured the attention of fashion enthusiasts worldwide. Initially, the venture focused on carefully selected pieces from external suppliers, sold primarily through an online shop. However, a significant shift occurred in 2023 when Little Lies transitioned exclusively to showcasing Jade’s own creations, manufactured in reputable overseas facilities. A Local Success Story
The brand’s remarkable growth is not solely attributable to a single event. While a considerable surge in orders followed Taylor Swift being photographed in one of Little Lies’ dresses, the brand’s enduring popularity rests on its core values: celebrating women’s individuality, prioritizing high-quality materials and comfortable fits, and providing inclusive sizing from size 6 to 24.
Robertson attributes her passion for 70s-inspired fashion to the influence of her aunt, a renowned singer with the New Seekers. Growing up surrounded by vintage stage costumes and stories of iconic musical collaborations, Robertson developed a unique fashion sensibility that would eventually define her brand’s identity. Her early creative explorations included personalizing her school uniform, a precursor to her current designs which are now available in sizes 14-18. The fact that many of these are the best-selling sizes reflects the brand’s commitment to catering for diverse body shapes and sizes. From School Plays to Fashion Mogul
Robertson’s entrepreneurial journey began unexpectedly. Despite achieving impressive academic results at Perth High School, she chose to forgo higher education to focus on organizing Rock the Catwalk, a local charity fashion show. This pivotal experience provided invaluable insight into the intricacies of event management and solidified her determination to pursue a creative career path. Her involvement in the Perth Concert Hall-hosted show for four years even involved enlisting her father, an architect, as a model.
Following her time with the show, Robertson combined her skills by working in a Dunfermline boutique and continuing with her personal venture making tie-dye T-shirts. The business evolved into a small standalone retail space in Dundee for several years, providing valuable experience in customer engagement. However, Robertson made the strategic decision to close the physical store after the pandemic, opting instead to focus her energy on designing and scaling Little Lies’ online presence. This resulted in a move to her current workspace in Glencarse. The Taylor Swift Effect and Beyond
While the international spotlight shone brightly on Little Lies following the Taylor Swift sighting, the brand’s success story is far more complex and compelling. The increased publicity was a fantastic boost, particularly with sales of one particular design skyrocketing from a few hundred to over six thousand in a short time frame. The success reflects the brand’s alignment with the pop star’s values of empowering women and being unapologetically authentic.
Robertson’s recent collaboration with St Johnstone FC, designing their 24/25 third kit, highlights her growing prominence in both the fashion and sporting worlds. The success of her designs are a source of pride for both the designer and her local community. The combination of Robertson’s creative flair, business acumen and inclusive sizing has created a winning formula. Balancing Family and Business
Today, Robertson juggles the demands of a thriving business with the joys of motherhood. Balancing work and family life is a priority, and her weekends are now filled with family time instead of the frenetic pace of early career days. This new approach to her business hasn’t limited its ambition; the future of Little Lies focuses on measured growth, prioritizing the development of collections that reflect Robertson’s personal style and values. Her story is a reminder that success can come in many forms, often requiring a balance of creativity, resilience, and adaptability, which all played a part in her incredible success story. ” , “positive_prompt”: “Photorealistic image of a smiling woman in her thirties, standing confidently in her well-lit design studio in Glencarse, Perthshire. She’s surrounded by bolts of colorful fabrics, sewing machines, and mood boards featuring 1970s-inspired fashion. Warm, natural light streams through large windows overlooking a picturesque Scottish landscape. The overall mood is one of creative energy, success, and relaxed confidence. The style should be a blend of photojournalism and aspirational lifestyle photography.