Dundee-based fashion designer Hayley Scanlan to launch sewing school following Netflix series

Dundee-based designer Hayley Scanlan is set to launch a new sewing school after starring on Netflix’s first fashion-focused show.

Hayley, who was named Scottish Young Designer of the Year twice at the Scottish Fashion Awards, was handpicked to compete in the Next In Fashion series, which was screened this week.

She was the only Scottish designer to be scouted by Netflix to appear on the programme, which launched on January 29.

The appearance has inspired Hayley to expand her brand in Dundee, where she intened to open a sewing school to teach budding designers dress-making skills and give something back to the city which has supported her career.

The Hayley Scanlan store, based on Perth Road, will be moving to a larger location and will feature an expanded studio.

Hayley said: “I came away from the show a lot more confident and I know what I’m capable of so I wanted to be able to bring that message back to Scotland and teach people how to do it.

“I went into the competition feeling like I had imposter syndrome because I’d seen the level of designers in the competition and it was intimidating.

“I felt like I wasn’t good enough and it was terrifying but I decided to give it my best shot and hopefully it will inspire other Scottish designers to believe that too.”

The mother-of-two has forged a successful career after studying textile design at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design and launched her own HS label in 2012.

She faced challenges on the show after being paired with American menswear designer Julian Woodhouse in a bid to win the $250,000 prize.

Hayley said it had been a learning experience.

“Some of the teams had worked together all of their lives and had similar design styles,” she said.

“Julian and I were partnered up a few days before the show and our styles and personalities were very different.

“We had to learn to adapt and agree under very serious time constraints so it was hard but it was an amazing experience.”