Six brands you might not know were founded in the North West
From a £150 T-shirt project in Horwich to a Manchester activewear brand worn by LA celebs, these six North West-founded fashion labels have grown from local ideas into major success stories.
The North West is famous for its music, football, and industrial heritage, but it is also home to some of Britain’s fastest-growing fashion brands.
From a £150 college project in Horwich that became a luxury streetwear label to a Manchester bridal business that started with handmade tutus, these six brands have gone from local beginnings to national and international success.
Represent
One of the biggest fashion success stories to come out of the North West began just down the road in Horwich.
Brothers George and Mike Heaton founded Represent in 2011 while studying at Runshaw College.
What started as a small project printing designs onto locally sourced clothing quickly grew into one of Britain’s leading luxury streetwear brands.
The brothers started the company with just £150, making printed T-shirts before building a global following with premium hoodies, T-shirts, trainers, jackets, and accessories.
Despite its international growth, including flagship stores in Manchester, London, and Los Angeles, Represent’s headquarters remain in Horwich, keeping its roots firmly in Bolton.
The brand has since collaborated with major names including Oasis and Belstaff and was named the UK’s 68th fastest-growing private company by The Sunday Times in 2024.
Adanola
Manchester-based Adanola has become one of the UK’s most recognisable activewear brands, known for its minimalist designs, neutral colours, and bestselling Ultimate Leggings.
Founded by Manchester brothers Hyrum and Josh Cook in 2015, the brand began as a side project before becoming a major player in the fashion industry.
The brothers initially pitched another business idea on Dragons’ Den, securing a £50,000 investment, but after that venture failed, they turned their full attention to Adanola.
Nearly a decade later, the brand has become a favourite among shoppers looking for clothing that works both in the gym and everyday life.
Adanola has attracted celebrity attention too, with collaborations including a 2023 edit with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and a 2025 capsule collection with Kendall Jenner.
The company recorded turnover growth of 48 per cent in the year ending March 2025, with profits reaching almost £16.6 million.
Montirex
Founded in Liverpool in 2019, Montirex has quickly become one of the North West’s fastest-growing sportswear labels.
Created by former footballers Daniel Yuen and Kieran Riddell-Austin, the brand combines performance clothing with modern streetwear influences.
Montirex has expanded rapidly, with products now stocked by major retailers including JD Sports, Footasylum, and ASOS, as well as its own store, both online and in Liverpool ONE.
The brand has also expanded internationally into markets including the US and Spain.
The founders were recognised in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in 2025, while Montirex was ranked 34th in the 2026 Sunday Times 100 list after recording huge sales growth.
Private White V.C.
Private White V.C. takes a different approach to fashion, focusing on craftsmanship and locally made clothing.
Founded by James Eden in 2009 and launched in Manchester in 2013, the brand is named after Private Jack White VC, Eden’s great-grandfather and a First World War hero.
The company produces much of its clothing in its Salford factory, where traditional manufacturing techniques are combined with modern designs.
Around 90 per cent of its products are made there, with the brand championing British manufacturing and skilled local workers.
During the Covid pandemic, the factory produced millions of medical gowns and face masks after receiving a PPE contract, helping retain jobs before the business returned its focus to luxury clothing.
The brand has attracted high-profile fans, including Prime Minister Andy Burnham, and has become known for its premium-priced jackets, knitwear, and outerwear.
Boda Skins
Salford-based Boda Skins has built a reputation for creating high-quality leather jackets with a modern edge.
Founded by Nathan Alexander in 2013, the brand was created from a passion for leather and a focus on slow fashion.
The company designs its products at its Salford headquarters before they are crafted by specialist international manufacturers.
Combining traditional leather craftsmanship with contemporary streetwear influences, Boda Skins has developed a worldwide customer base and attracted celebrity fans including Adam Thomas and Wayne Bridge.
Its distinctive jackets have helped establish the company as one of the North West’s best-known independent fashion brands.
Six Stories
A Greater Manchester bridal brand born from an Etsy shop, Six Stories began in a spare bedroom before becoming a global bridal brand.
Founded by Lucy Menghini in 2019, the Greater Manchester company started after Lucy began making accessories for her own wedding.
With no fashion or sewing background, she created handmade tutus and accessories for her flower girls and began selling items through Etsy.
Using her experience from working at Social Chain, Lucy grew the online business by understanding what customers were searching for, with the tutus becoming a surprise bestseller.
The company expanded beyond accessories into bridalwear, creating products now sold through major retailers including ASOS, Selfridges, and Next.
Six Stories recorded sales of £10 million in the year to March 2024, with plans for further international expansion, particularly in the US.
From Bolton and Manchester to Liverpool and Salford, these brands show that some of Britain’s biggest fashion success stories are being built right here in the North West.
