Part 17 - Luke 1977 x
Luke Roper founded his heavyweight West Midlands clothing business, Luke 1977 (the year in which he was born), in 2001,
with due gratitude to his lifelong friend Simon Poole (French Connection et al) and his wife Deborah, for getting the Lion's Head brand (a design inspired by a Whiskey bottle, whilst on a fishing expedition in Ireland), into the fashion firmament.
Luke originates from Walsall Wood, via Working Class Parents; both hard grafters, particularly inspired by his Wedding dress making Mother.
These staunch roots would stand him in good stead, for his journey into the world of clothing design.
His Mother's old sewing room would be used to stitch garments himself, for himself and his friends, at the tender age of 15, before factories came into play.
By the age of 20, he was prestigiously given a formal invite to London's Central St. Martins, Fashion University; graduating in 2000.
Going out clubbing, via places like Moneypennies (sometimes sewing buttons on, in the middle of a taxi journey!), certainly put him right into the fashion fold, with all his pals.
In 2015, the charismatic label produced commemorative suits for Walsall Football Club, who famously reached their first ever Wembley Final, in their 127th year history; The Saddlers sadly losing out to Bristol City, 2-0, in The Football League Trophy Final.
For Aston Villa Football Club (a stalwart supporter, since the age of 5, who fanatically knows his onions), he honorably made their kits, the season they got promoted back into the Premier League, back in 2018/2019.
He has also taken to making fully loaded digs at the state of the modern game, by designing football tops, that are swiping in the direction of the money trappings and the dangers behind it all.
Working extremely hard.
Playing extremely hard.
He's currently living The Balti Pie Dream, with Luke 1977, now a real global success and with Villa playing Champions League Football, for the foreseeable future.
Unique. Clean cut. Stylish. Sharp. Smart.
For rogues/roguettes.
Stand proud. Roar like Luke 1977 x