Love Laura, the womenswear label created by Banbridge entrepreneur Laura Kearney, has opened its first standalone store at The Boulevard in Banbridge, creating 12 jobs.
The 1,800 sq ft store gives the brand a home of its own outside The Walk in Wardrobe, the retailer Kearney founded, for the first time. It carries the full Love Laura collection, with every piece in store from the brand’s own range, which it describes as created by women for women.
Launched in 2024, Love Laura has grown to more than 250 products in under two years, with several collections selling out. Its pieces are designed with a focus on flattering fits, quality fabrics and timeless style, in sizes 6 to 18 including petite fits, and the range runs from tailored blazers, statement coats and denim to knitwear, dresses, jumpsuits, nightwear and everyday basics, alongside footwear and handbags.
Kearney began her retail career in Banbridge in 2014, when she took over a small boutique in the town and launched The Walk in Wardrobe. What started as a 500 sq ft shop has grown into a 14,000 sq ft warehouse and a 3,000 sq ft flagship store, with more than 350,000 orders fulfilled for customers in over 50 countries and a combined social following of more than 387,000.
“Opening the very first Love Laura store is something I’ve dreamt about since the day we launched the brand. Love Laura was built around real women and what they tell us they want from their wardrobes, so to finally welcome them into a space that is entirely ours is incredibly special.
Laura Kearney, Founder, The Walk in Wardrobe and Love Laura
“Banbridge is where my story started more than a decade ago, so it means the world to open our first Love Laura store here. The Boulevard’s strong footfall and dedicated customers from across the island, coupled with its exceptional calibre of brands made it the obvious choice for us. We have built a brilliant team of 12 for the new store, and we cannot wait to meet both our loyal customers and plenty of new faces.”
The opening continues a run of arrivals at The Boulevard, which has welcomed Crocs, Weird Fish and Hollywood Bowl in recent weeks, with Hollister due to open its first outlet store on the island of Ireland later in October.
The outlet has also become known for brand firsts, with kate spade new york, IKEA, French Connection, adidas, Levi’s, BPerfect and TFG London among the retailers that chose it for their first or only location, alongside Vila, which chose The Boulevard for its first and only UK standalone store.
“We are thrilled to welcome Love Laura to The Boulevard. To be chosen as the home of the brand’s first ever standalone store is a real achievement, and it is all the more special that it comes from a Banbridge business with a female founder who has built something truly remarkable from her own hometown.
Chris Nelmes, Retail Director, The Boulevard
“The Boulevard has become a proven launchpad for first and only stores, and Love Laura shows that ambitious homegrown brands see that same opportunity as the international names already here. It brings a distinctive local label to our fashion offer as we head into our busiest season, giving shoppers another great reason to visit. We wish Laura and the team every success.”
The Boulevard was acquired by Frasers Group from Lotus Group in June, alongside The Junction Retail and Leisure Park in Antrim.
Terry Clark is the Publisher and Content Director of 365 Retail, with more than a decade of experience covering retail design, technology innovations, store openings and the wider retail industry. He also works closely with leading retailers, suppliers, agencies, events and industry awards across the UK.
Related Posts
