Largs student hits the jackpot with success of 'plastic-free' clothing range
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A UNIVERSITY essay provided the spark for a Largs entrepreneur to launch a new clothing business.
Jack Hutchinson was working in the town’s Tony Macaroni restaurant when an ‘off the cuff’ read of a friend’s essay about microplastics led to the launch of Bankhouse Apparel in April this year.
The 25-year-old says the essay provided him with the inspiration to create the online environmentally-conscious fashion brand.
Jack explained: “I went to college and university to study marketing and I liked the idea of starting my own clothing brand, but I wasn’t sure how.
“One of my colleagues in the restaurant studied marine biology and I asked her off if I could have a read of the essay she was writing.
“It turned out to be about microfibres and microplastics in the ocean, and how it that is a major cause for concern at the moment.
“It turns out that garment and textile productions are one of the main contributors to the tiny bits of plastic that float around, are eaten up the food chain and then end up inside us.”
Jack believed he had spotted a gap in the market and set about ensuring there were no plastics in his products or packaging.
He admits that the leap from university to running his own clothing company has been a challenge but says even the pandemic wasn’t going to put a stop to his plans - with his dad as his trusty business advisor.
Jack said: “We didn’t know whether to delay the launch or just go for it. In the end we decided to just go ahead - with the idea in my head I knew I wasn’t going to be able to leave it alone.
“I had been to college for two years and university for three years so I had a lot of knowledge from that time, however my dad’s help has been great as he has such a broad range of ideas and experience that has helped me get off the ground."
Jack's first few months have been a success and he says it has been great to see his products available to buy after more than a year of planning.
He said: “It has been a good start and we have had quite a few sales throughout the UK.
“We hoped for more good than bad days and we’ve had that so far. It's been an exciting journey and I hope the line continues to go from strength to strength."
