Jennifer Maria Knitwear

Can you tell us a bit about your business/work?

 My name is Jennifer Heslip and I created my own brand “Jennifer Maria Knitwear” after graduating from Fashion & Textiles at Ulster University in 2019. I create high quality knitted garments  and accessories for women which are vibrant and fun due to my love for bright colours and patterns. The aim of my clothing is to make women feel confident to stand out, colour is such a powerful thing and I believe it can bring so much happiness.

 Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what inspired you to set up your own business?

 Specialising in knit in university made me realise how much I love creating my own work. I went on a placement year before final year and moved to the Aran Islands to work at Inis Meain Knitting Co. It was an amazing opportunity and seeing how they ran their company made me realise that I wanted to create my own brand/business and hopefully if I have even half as much success as they have had and I’ll be happy!

 What/who influences/motivates you?

 I have always been a feminist at heart and its strong women that I look up to that has inspired and motivated me to pursue creating my own business. In terms of my designs I am influenced mainly by my own love for exuberant colours, patterns and shapes. I just love playing around with colour ways and patterns that I may see in every day life.

 What has been your biggest hurdle and your proudest moment or accomplishment with your business so far?

 My business is still at the beginning, so I still have a lot of hurdles and proud moments ahead of me. But my graduate fashion show and displaying my work at New Designers in London have been my two proudest moments so far. My biggest hurdle has been trying to build my business from the ground up and trying to get known with very little help from others. 

 Could you give some advice for any young, emerging entrepreneurs?

 Well as I say, I am still starting out so I’m not sure how much of my advice is useful… but I would tell them to never give up on what you love to do, have patience because as my mum says when I’m feeling a bit disheartened, “Rome wasn’t built over night”.

Where can people find you?

Website : www.jennifermariaknitwear.com

Instagram : @jennifermariaknitwear