Louise Markey

Think of fashion and it won’t be long before you’re thinking about freedom of expression – the exploration of what to wear, who to shop with, the visual communication of those choices, and the power to shake it all up tomorrow if you wish.

That being said, the designers on the other end of that interaction often become known for an aesthetic that’s their ‘thing’. They’re feminine or grungy, masters of tailoring or soft silhouettes, they’re this or that and they’re very rarely both. So, what happens when a designer can’t ignore a spark of inspiration from the opposite end of the spectrum? For Louise Markey, it was the start of Meadows.

You see, Louise is also the founder of East-London based design house L.F.Markey and it’s fair to say that Meadows is the ying to L.F.Markey’s yang. “L.F.Markey is androgynous, minimal, utilitarian with bold colours. Meadows is soft, feminine and prairie. It had to be its own line!” she explains of Meadows’ genesis.

Meadows has provided a blank canvas on which Louise has explored a long-harboured love of English folklore and historical costume, something that at initial glance seems at odds with the formative years she spent in Sydney, Australia, but that’s not quite true.

“I grew up in the inner west which in the ‘80s and ‘90s was very hippy and alternative. It really shaped who I am today, my interest in ‘70s style and it’s in the spirit of the brands that I’ve founded. The pieces I make look their best when combined with a non-conformist spirit, worn exactly how you want to wear them, not how you’re told to,” she explains of her brands’ philosophies.

After moving to England, Louise met and married a “country boy from very rural Suffolk” and spent a lot of time exploring and absorbing its landscapes. Pair this with an almost studious appreciation of medieval and pre-Raphaelite art, a nose for vintage finds and a deep understanding of the needs of the modern-day woman, and Meadows took shape.

This is a brand that’s by no-means aesthetics deep too – people and the planet form an important cornerstone. Meadows’ prints and embroidery motifs are hand-developed by Louise and the team, all of the garments are made in boutique, ethical factories, each design is made in small runs to minimise waste and as of early 2021, every piece will be crafted using organic cotton.

The road to organic production hasn’t be smooth, it’s one that’s been met with hurdles and challenges but it’s also a path that Louise has determinedly navigated. “It has always been my plan that both lines fabrications would be organic, but we’re only now are we at the size of business where we can make it happen. There are large minimum orders on officially certified organic fabrics which we previously weren’t able to reach,” she explains of the boundaries that boutique sustainable brands face. “I hope this transforms and shifts – we are all buying less, buying better and caring for our environment.”

So, what’s next for Meadows? “I’m hoping to open a store,” Louise shares, “Let’s see where the road takes us!”