Arbroath man who worked with Oasis and Robbie Williams starts clothing business
A man from Arbroath who worked with Oasis followed in Liam Gallagher’s footsteps by launching his own clothing brand.
Andrew Thompson has spent many years in the music industry and has worked with well-known names from Oasis and Robbie Williams to Pink Floyd and Iron Maiden.
The former Oasis Gallagher star created Pretty Green in 2009, but she went into administration and was bought by JD Sports.
Andrew started his career as a promotions manager at EMI Records in 2000, before Andrew decided to start his own company, SevenFour Music, in 2007.
The 46-year-old spent a decade building his business from Spain, after moving to Barcelona, ​​before returning to Scotland in 2017.
Then he decided it was time to start a new business by opening a restaurant, Clark and Lake, in Edinburgh.
Working with the stars
It was only open for two years, but Andrew said the project was a success before moving on to his latest venture.
He started his own clothing business during the Covid-19 pandemic and has big plans for the future.
Now he’s targeting the fashion industry, having launched Clark Lake Clothing earlier this year.
© Provided by Nathan McGregor Phot
He said: “We launched in March but the idea I’ve been thinking about probably for at least two years.
“It wasn’t until last year that I really had time to think about it and make the final decision.”
After months of designing logos and building a website, the company launched in March of this year.
The power of social media
Just a few weeks later, Clark Lake has already attracted clients from across the Atlantic.
He added: “It’s still early days but it’s been good so far.
“I got my first order from the US about three weeks later.
The 606 cap in black and navy blue
WE / ARE-CLARKLAKE#clarkandlakeclothing #clarkandlake #glasgow #Scotland #Chicago # street clothing #clothing #clothing brand #males fashion # hooded sweatshirt # sweatshirt #cap #tshirts #fashionculture #fashion #cap #britishmade #everydayessentials # made in UK pic.twitter.com/dBiCRWDR1z
– ClarkLake Clothing Co. (@ClarkandLakeCo) May 16, 2021
“The guy was from Indianapolis and he saw us on Twitter, liked the designs and placed an order.
“I think that’s the power of social media.”
Andrew is also hoping that he will also benefit from an increase in the number of people who shop online.
He said: “People have spent the last 12 months looking at their phones and tablets.
“I hope the time is right that if people have excess cash they might be looking to refresh their wardrobes.”
Growth plans
Looking to the future, Andrew – who now lives in Glasgow – has the ambition to develop Clark Lake.
He would like to open a “brick and mortar†store and create jobs.
© Provided by Nathan McGregor Phot
“I’m a one-man band right now. I hope this time next year I will have a store and employ staff.
“I have an idea to have the store and a space that can be opened up into a cafe and a record store.
“That’s it for 2022 and beyond.”