Presents started and has remained as a platform for up and coming designers to showcase their work. Teodosia Lloyd is a Moldavian born and bred designer who first discovered her flair for fashion at the tender age of six years old. She was inspired by her grandmother and went on to study fashion at Northumbria University.
Teodosia has had a great career in fashion as a buyer, merchandiser and luxury boutique manager in London and since then her knowledge for fashion and design has led her to create her own label, the Teo Lloyd brand.
Meets Fashion designer Teodosia Lloyd
Teo Lloyd is a new luxury womenswear brand that focuses on ambitious and fashion conscious women. Her brand’s signature is a structured classic look with a modern twist, mainly inspired by architecture. The ready-to-wear collection guarantees high quality fabrics, attention to detail with an excellent finish. The collection includes beautiful trousers, blouses, shoes and dresses. Everything the modern woman could want, so lets find out more about the designer behind the collection.
Q. What encouraged you to get into this industry and what was your route into it?
I first discovered my flair for fashion when I was 6 years old. My grandmother gave me a beautiful sewing machine, and I used to spend hours working away on it, making gifts for my family and friends. This sewing machine was a huge inspiration for me as it meant I could explore my own unique sense of style and explore uses of different fabrics and textures. It was a given that I would go on to study fashion, which I did at Northumbria University. I loved this course as it allowed me to fully immerse myself in the industry and I learnt so much during my time there.
Q. What is a typical working day for you?
An average day for me would be managing the business, and working alongside my design team on upcoming collections. I am constantly working to improve the business, by researching suppliers and looking for inspiration in up to date trends. I love learning and have a huge determination that drives me forward, in both the brand and the business. I also try to spend time in the boutique getting to know customers – I love to interact with people as it gives me an insight into their opinions of my designs.
Q. Where are you based, how much of an inspiration is your city and what are your favourite cities around the world?
I live with my family in Leatherhead, Surrey, but our Dolly Lloyd boutique is located on Fulham Road, where I spend most of my time. London is a huge inspiration for me; I’m constantly inspired by the architecture that surrounds me, in fact my current collection has a very structured that was inspired by the beautiful architecture in London. Paris is also a city that I love, not only for it’s beautiful architecture but I love the Parisians timeless and chic sense of style.
Q. Have you seen the fashion industry change in the last few years? Have you had to adapt?
Because I have only recently launched my brand, I haven’t yet had to adapt, but that doesn’t mean I’m not anticipating it. I love a challenge and am incredibly motived to learn, so it will be interesting to see how the Teo Lloyd brand will move forward with the times, and what we will need to do to adapt. I have always had a keen interest in fashion though and so have followed the industry closely all my life, it’s clear that consumers now look to online outlets for their news, their inspiration and their shopping, and everything has become a lot more fast paced than it was – fashion weeks are now reported on through Instagram, Twitter, Snap Chat etc. so as a result the competition to be innovative and unique is even greater.
Q. What’s the most rewarding part of your work? What is your greatest accomplishment so far?
My greatest accomplishment to date is launching the Teo Lloyd brand, our first collection and the Dolly Lloyd store. I’d say the most rewarding part of the job is seeing the final product; knowing I have created that design and seen it through the whole process to the end result is incredibly satisfying. Seeing women in the boutique picking out items and falling in love with them is something that that gives me such a special feeling.
Q. What is next for you? What are your goals for 2024?
At the moment I’m concentrating on the next collection, and working to get the business off the ground. I’m lucky enough to work alongside my business and life partner David (Lloyd, Founder of the David Lloyd Leisure Group) so I am able to brainstorm ideas with him, and he’s very good listening to my concerns and encouraging me to follow my heart and stick to the decisions I make. Looking ahead longer term, I would love to open more Dolly Lloyd boutique’s – perhaps having a flagship store in the fashion capitals around the world – New York, Milan and Paris. You’ve got to dream big!
Bonus Question – if you didn’t do the job you do now – what would be your dream job and where?
This is 100% my dream job! However, if there was a plan B it would definitely still be within the fashion industry working somewhere like the British Fashion Council or perhaps working in fashion journalism.
The collection is stocked online and in high-end boutique Dolly Lloyd on the Fulham Road in London. You can follow what is going on with the Teo Lloyd brand via Twitter and Instagram.
