A young entrepreneur is transforming ordinary clothes into stunning pieces of art often with emotional meanings.
Bethan Flanagan McCormick, a 30 year-old entrepreneur living in Everton, is more commonly known as Buy By Bethan. Bethan’s “reworked clothing boutique” sees her transform ordinary jackets and jeans with song lyrics, distinctive patterns and even Spider-Man comics.
Bethan said: “I enjoy taking something that could be plain and boring and turn it into a one-off, unique piece that you’re not gonna see anywhere else. You can’t replicate it.”
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Bethan has a selection of pre-made designs at her colourful stall inside the Baltic Triangle’s Red Brick Market. She also makes custom designs, with clients coming to Bethan and asking her to represent a deeply personal story through a unique piece of clothing.
One was from a woman whose sister had lost her husband which saw Bethan put the lyrics of the couple’s favourite song on the back of the piece. Another saw her write “F*** childhood cancer” on a denim jacket in honour of a mother whose daughter was diagnosed with the illness.
Bethan said: “It makes me feel proud that people trust me with that information and that story, that people open up to me and trust that I will make the customised item to match the story in a way that they want.”
Often, these clothes are sourced from donations or charity shops which Bethan believes is a sign that people are caring more about sustainability in fashion. She said: “That second-hand jacket is something a customer will keep forever, rather than it going to landfill. It’s brilliant that people are becoming more conscious of it and are actually taking action in their day-to-day lives.”
In recent months, Bethan has worked with children and musicians in tie-dye workshops, partnered with brands such as River Island and was a finalist in BBC Radio Merseyside’s Voice of Eurovision competition. Nevertheless, there have been moments where Bethan nearly turned her back on the art world all together.
She said: “I’m really proud of where I am now, I always had that belief in me. But there have been tough times where I nearly gave up.”
She added: “I went to Manchester Metropolitan University on the Fine Art course. First year was quite difficult for me and I nearly dropped out but I ended up coming through and got a first.
“When I came back to Liverpool, I found it quite difficult to keep that momentum of creativity going and fell into office jobs. It wasn’t until furlough when I realised I was missing something in my life - that was creativity.”
Bethan’s hard work in lockdown paid off, and now she feels confident ByBuyBethan can give her a sustainable career. She said: “At the moment I am really proud and when I think of me three years ago, if they could see me now, I don’t think they’d believe it to be honest."
She added: “I knew that I wasn’t cut out for a 9-5, no matter how I tried to fit myself into that hole. I’m so happy now I’m doing something I love.”
Bethan’s work can be found on social media at @buybybethan. You can order custom designs by visiting her website.
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