Meet Niamh Foster | Knitwear Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Niamh Foster and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Niamh, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My process behind starting my own business stemmed from a couple of things. It was the peak of lockdown when I started niamhemilyfoster, it was also the peak of me finishing my degree, mid final major project,. things were intense to say the least.

I think initially the drive behind starting my business came from pressure. I was putting more pressure on myself due to the unforeseen I seemed to find myself in. I began to panic about the future, how long I would be back living in my family home, how I would find a job and how I would even grade well in my degree with it all being virtual.

My main thought process was I may as well do it myself !

I wasn’t getting anywhere with job applications, internship applications, I got a few but it wasn’t fulfilling me as much as my business was, therefore I just put EVERYTHING into it!

The circumstances I was in in a lockdown then became a huge perk rather than an inconvenience, me being on furlough from my part time job allowed me to have the money to source materials, and my free time allowed me to be fully committed to my business, as well as expect any collaboration offer that luckily came my way.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My journey has been multi-faceted. From textiles in my art foundation, to winning the Christopherson award for my fashion illustrations… to moving to London to attend the London college of Fashion and doing my niche degree of Fashion Illustration and Imaging, to finishing up that and creating a knitwear brand in the peak of the pandemic.

I just worked super hard, inspired by my own Father and Mother who own their own buisness, it is something I always wanted, I just never thought I’d get it so so soon.

One of the things I love about my brand is that it isn’t bog standard, it quite literally stems from my background in various horizons int he art world, that’s what helps make my brand stand out the fashion side of it beautifully links arms with art.

One of my most proudest moments has to be when I was featured in British Vogue, was totally surreal and I still can’t believe it a year on…
Another, is hosting a pop up shop own Oxford Street- sponsored by white claw. It was insane, and was such a touching moment when ALL of my friends came to support… as well as a great moment business wise to fully meet customers in the flesh, especially those who have followed me form the start.

Also other features such as in VogueHongKong, firstmagazine, hastemagaizne, Lucysmagazine, Fizzymag, shift.

I’ve learned to be a lot more resilient with having my brand, and it has also allowed me to have ALOT more self discipline and also be a lot more focused and driven personally.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In London the options are endless.

I would take them to a day session at The Prince or Lost in Brixton, super fun in the summer time. Could take a Franco Manca pizza to Primrose Hill or some shopping down Brick Lane in serotonin vintage.

My favourite places to eat, I love love love rinsing the multiple indoor market places here. Whether it’s in the day, for an evening or for a pre drinks, my faveeee places to go are Mercato Mayfair and Seven Dials Market. So much choice, so much fun, so many memories there!

I love to hang out in Camden, it was a place that I started my life in London in and will always have a special place in my heart, especially the Hawley Arms. I now live in West London, I love my sunny weekends chilling in Holland Park or Kensington Gardens with a crate of corona and snacks!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
MUM AND DAD, MY TWO SISTERS ORLA AND ERIN, for fully believing in me right from the start when I started this in lockdown living in my childhood home with them. As well as the panic drives to the wool shops when I was running out mid collab.

My besties, Becky and Taylor, Charlotte, Izzie, Georgia, Hattie, Emma, Emily, Fleur, you all have been there since the start with your early purchases, constant support on social media and bigging me up in general at all times <3

REECE <3 my boyfriend, from the late nights overworking, supporting me with cups of tea and constant no.1 fan chants to everyone and anyone… and also for being the person who tells me me when to stop and rest.

Susannah, SLXWORLD, Maddie – bymaddielondon and Tasha – you guys were a huge part of of what was one of the best weekends of my life – our pop up shop on 58 Oxford Street AT SOOKSPACES. Insane.
+ A huge thanks to everyone who attended that in support as well…

FINALLY, my followers and customers. Without you guys it quite literally wouldn’t even be possible

the list is quite literally endless <3 thankful for everyone always

Website: www.niamhemilyfoster

Instagram: niamhemilyfoster

Image Credits
@lulukapansa @tokerphoto @alinaispas @firstmagazine @styledbyclemmie @jennifercatherinetaylor @kenyaroper @izzymu11ey @mphairartist @bethsmakeup @officialkavyar @iamddb @jasminemcking @kiarascorzelli @tallulah.fx @anitiaa @chocolatefaces @sookspaces @swphoto5