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A Derby fashion designer has landed a deal to become the only UK supplier of Japanese label Liz Lisa.
Alana Barker will sell the brand on her new website Mission Kawaii, which will also sell her own Japanese-inspired designs.
Kawaii is Japanese for cute and the brand is described as colourful new street fashion, featuring prints and designs focused on retro pop culture.
Barker said: "I have wanted to run my own fashion business since being a teenager so the dream was always there.
"Whilst studying fashion at university I applied to do a business management course and received a £1,500 bursary from the Be the Boss programme, which I used to set up the website and buy my first stock order.
"I have got my own brand and will be stocking two designer brands from Japan – Liz Lisa and Listen Flavor."
Barker was put in touch with the president of the company through a friend who was a fan of Liz Lisa clothes.
A meeting was set up and she spent a week in Tokyo where she got to see the sample studio.
Barker, who currently runs her business from home in Findern but has applied for studio space, said: "I adore Japanese street fashion.
"When I decided I wanted to start my own business I knew I wanted to base it around that. It’s vibrant, distinctive and all about individuality. People never look the same."Read more at:purple bridesmaid dresses | pink bridesmaid dresses
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