Coventry graduate’s fashion range focuses on our four legged friends

A fashion graduate from Coventry School of Art and Design has set up her own pet accessories business for discerning dog owners. 

Hayley Bishop, 23, who graduated in 2011 with a 2:1 in Fashion, launched her designer dog wear business Diva & Scruffs last year. Her chic accessories have proved a big hit so far and later this month she’s heading off to the country’s largest pet show at Stoneleigh Park where she’s hoping her products will impress special guest performers, famed dog trick act and Britain’s Got Talent winners Ashleigh and Pudsey.

Hayley, originally from Irvine in Scotland but now living in Atherstone, Warwickshire is a self-confessed dog lover. Eager to set up her very own label, she applied the creative design skills she honed on her university course to produce her bespoke brand of four-legged fashion wear from her home in Warwickshire.

Hayley’s range of bandanas, bows, coats, collars and other accessories are all handmade to order, with materials sourced from across the UK, and come in a selection of quirky and colourful designs.

Her canine collection is proving really popular – she’s sold to the Leamington Guide Dogs Training School and she’s also found a supplier in Live Chic, an online boutique which promotes new British designers. She’s now hoping that her appearance at this month’s pet show will give a further boost to her business.

Hayley said:

As a fashion student I dreamt about launching my own brand of clothing but I wanted to come up with something out of the ordinary and as a lifelong dog lover I set upon the idea of designing clothes and accessories for pets.

It’s great for me because I’m indulging my creativity and love for animals whilst also putting to good use the skills that I worked on at university like sewing and pattern cutting. The fashion course also covered things like photography, creative business thinking and marketing which have all helped me in building Divas & Scruffs.

I’m delighted that all the work I put in is now paying off and I can’t wait to take part in this month’s pet show.

Angela Armstrong, Course Director in fashion at Coventry University, said:

It’s always pleasing to see our graduates do well, especially when they have the courage to set up their own company. It is a privilege to teach students like Hayley and see them excel in their careers.

Several of our graduates have gone on to successfully set up their own labels but Hayley is the first to have established her own exclusive brand of pet accessories and clothing. It is a wonderful testament to Hayley’s originality and skill as a designer that she now has a thriving business.

I wish Hayley every success in the future and hope that her great range of ‘dogwear’ will be seen on the catwalk sometime soon!

Hayley’s range of collars, leashes, harnesses, jumpers and coats can be purchased online at Divas & Scruffs or at Live Chic. Customers can also like her Facebook page for regular updates, news and pictures.

The Pet Show at which Hayley will be exhibiting her designs takes place at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on the weekend of 20/21 July 2013. Further information about the show is available at www.thepetshow.co.uk.