The Merseyside brand has been worn by fashion influencers
Laura O’Malley launched BLK.BLZR in October 2024
A clothing brand based in Merseyside was spotted at London Fashion Week. Laura O’Malley, 32, from Netherton created her fashion brand BLK.BLZR in October 2024 after getting “that bug back again” for fashion, having gone into full-time work.
She recently returned from London Fashion Week after being selected by Frankie Bridge’s Faves Edit live event. Singer and presenter Frankie uses her fashion platform Faves to showcase her go-to brands and styles.
Laura created BLK.BLZR because of her “love of vintage,” aiming for designs to be passed down between generations. Her products, which include jackets, dresses and more, take influence from the 90s with “minimal designs” and “next level” quality.
Just a few years after starting her brand, Laura’s pieces have been worn by fashion influencers such as Georgina Lennon, Georgia White and Lauren Watson.
Laura told the ECHO: “Frankie Bridge and The Faces Edit put out on their Instagram that they wanted to give a small brand an opportunity to pop up in their showroom for London Fashion Week. So in true Scouse girly style, all my friends were all over that Instagram.
Laura O’Malley
“They selected me to go down to London and be a part of their London Fashion Week show, and then they also put one of the leather jackets on the runway.
“It’s almost like you invest so much time, after working full time, finishing, and then I’m back on my iPad, my laptop, or I’m packing orders and I was at the shop posting them. Sometimes you’re like, ‘this is kind of a lot.’
“But then when you have these key moments, you kind of stop and think, ‘Oh my God, it’s paying off, it’s worth it.’ I think the last few months I’d have been lost without my best friend, my sister, all my friends who are supportive.
“It’s amazing and it just gives me that determination to keep going, to go, ‘Right, I’ve done this, what’s next?'”
BLK.BLZR at The Faves Edit at London Fashion Week
Laura’s creations may be gracing the catwalk at London Fashion Week, but her love for fashion started back in Merseyside. The 32-year-old told the ECHO how her love of clothes is down to her nan, who taught her how to sew and develop a keen eye for design.
Laura said: “She used to work in Johnson’s in Bootle as an ironer. She was known as the family dressmaker. She’s made wedding dresses, communion dresses and I always used to absolutely love watching her. So we’d sit at the kitchen table with the sewing machine and she’d teach me.
“If I’m buying a piece or if I’m making something you know, where to look, how to know if it’s good quality, looking at the seams, the type of fastenings, all the belt loops, all things like that. She taught me everything and we would sit a few days a week at the kitchen table and she taught me how to sew.”
More information about BLK.BLZR can be found on its website.