Sunderland illustrator Simon McAleese launches clothing brand after frustration with "vanilla" fashion

Summary

Menswear illustrator Simon McAleese, based in Sunderland, founded his own clothing brand after years of drawing other designers' garments and noticing a lack of interesting details in mainstream fashion. Frustrated with what he calls "vanilla brands," McAleese transitioned from sketching to stitching, creating his own line that focuses on the unique design elements he found missing in the market. The article explores his journey from illustrator to entrepreneur, the inspiration behind the move, and how his background in illustration informs his clothing designs.