Stars flock to Erewash for lingerie

Hollywood stars are among female celebrities with an intimate link to Erewash – after flocking to buy luxury lingerie from a local mum who won funding from the borough council.

Fashion graduate Claire Harris worked as design director for a high street chain before taking the plunge and launching her own company.

She now boasts an army of fans among the rich and famous. Clients wowed by the latest creations from her Ilkeston firm include wives of music idols. She describes her firm as an “atelier”, which means 'artist’s studio.'

The mother of one successfully applied for a research and development grant from the council. She is using the investment – which is from special government funding so is not council tax money – to create her latest fashion range.

Other entrepreneurs are being invited to apply for R & D grants after the council launched a fresh round of them. Claire’s clients insist on the utmost discretion so she refused to identify who they are. But she said: “I have a growing list of celebrities.". She added that her brand is "...particularly loved in the US and is worn by several actresses. I believe it's the quintessential English elegance of the brand which they adore. I have UK celebrities that return frequently to top up their treasured lingerie drawer – and several partners of famous singers.”

Councillor Curtis Howard, who is the Lead Member for Town Centres, Regeneration and Planning, said: “The [borough] council continues to do all it can to support local business, innovation, and entrepreneurship – and our R & D grants are a key plank in using money we have clinched from the government to secure jobs.

Claire’s thriving company is another success story for the borough. We have more of this money to give out to local businesses so we urge them to apply before 16th August.”

Firms have until Friday 16th August to apply for the latest round of R & D grants from the council.  Further information can be found here.