By Laura O’Neill

Desk job to designer!

Derry woman Lisa McLaughlin will showcase her eco-friendly children’s bedding and accessories brand at her local craft fair in the Guildhall this November.

After 20 years as a civil servant Lisa returned to education to study Textiles at North West Regional College. During the Covid pandemic, after deciding to follow her creative passion, she set up her business boey + becci.

Boey + becci’s core value is sustainability and Lisa has based her products and branding on this ethos. Using organic fabrics is important to Lisa, not only to be environmentally friendly, but because of the quality they add to the products. Lisa explains that.

“Organic cotton is softer, more durable, and more breathable than conventional cotton.

“It is less irritating to sensitive skin and less likely to cause allergies and therefore better for babies, children, and the planet.”

The natural range currently includes quilts, bedding, cushions, kids gym bags, everyday totes and changing bags.

Boey + becci is situated in the city centre at the Fashion and Textile Design Centre (FTDC) in Shipquay Street. It is amongst a cluster of new sustainably focused textile businesses in the city.

Derry has a rich textile heritage and Lisa has praised the support she has received from her hometown. Organisations such as the AwakenHub, Derry City and Strabane Council and FTDC have all provided her with help. Lisa said the FTDC studio,

“Has enabled the business to develop further with the added bonus of having access to all of the facilities and support from numerous experienced designers, seamstresses and business owners.”

Lisa’s future plans include customers being able to design their own unique print plus a new range using locally sourced Irish linen. Other objectives are to grow brand awareness and develop an in-house team for manufacturing, sales and marketing.