I'm Laura— founder of Lahlis. I was born and raised in Peru and moved to London when I was 13. I spent quarantine in Peru, where I taught myself to sew, spending hours in my room recreating designs I had in mind.  With COVID making it nearly impossible to buy new clothes, I quickly developed a passion for fashion and upcycling anything I found into pieces (a lot of my mum's clothes). In early 2021, after moving to London, I became obsessed with Depop and the second-hand market. I started selling clothes from my wardrobe. One day, I accidentally listed one of my handmade tops — and it sold within hours. I kept receiving messages asking about "the brand," and that’s when it clicked: this could be something bigger.

What started as a solo project in my bedroom slowly turned into a community. I began developing patterns and prototypes, and on a trip back to Peru, I partnered with a Peruvian seamstress and her team to produce a small batch of my first designs. I really value my country and my heritage, so I wanted to represent that through high-quality products— showcasing the incredible skill of Peruvians in the textile world. From the longlasting stitchings to the locally sourced national fabrics we use, every Lahlis top is a reflection of the craftsmanship that Peru is known for. After selecting two colors (the OG navy and the classic black tie tops). I ordered 30 units, unsure if anyone would actually buy them. But they sold out in a week.

Since then, I’ve grown Lahlis bit by bit. Adding new colours, experimenting with fabrics, and testing out designs. At first, it was scary using my own money without knowing if anything would sell. But with every sale, my confidence grew. Every like on TikTok, every kind comment, every stranger complimenting my top reminded me that I was building something real. In March 2024, I finally launched the Lahlis website — still holding onto the same values: community, learning, and empowerment. I want every girl who wears Lahlis to feel like she’s part of something bigger:  a movement that champions creativity, celebrates heritage, and proves that your dreams are worth going after. I want every girl to feel the same confidence I felt when my very first tops sold.