FOUNDER / OWNER
Liz Jefferson
Liz Jefferson’s career in fashion has been characterised by years of education, commitment, and true enthusiasm. From her initial exposure to the industry to her position as the founder of Doodie Stark, Liz’s journey epitomises her dedication to retail and significant success in fashion.
In Liz’s formative years, she spent her weekends and holidays assisting in her mother’s fabric shop. Amidst bolts of fabric, Liz began witnessing firsthand the intricacies of the industry, and her love for fashion began to flourish. Earning just enough to purchase fabric, and taking home any offcuts from the store, she spent the entirety of her free time with her sewing machine. This early understanding of garment construction propelled her towards the first step in her career.
‘I was always sat at my sewing machine making a skirt, or dress or pair of dungarees in time for the weekend’.
Eager to explore the industry further, Liz pursued an education in clothing management at the London College of Fashion. Her studies provided her with invaluable insights into the industry, from design principles through to the coordination of production. The turning point in Liz’s early career, however, came during her third year of college during an industry placement with John Galliano, a prestigious British fashion house renowned for avant-garde design and a visionary approach to couture. Here, Liz found herself immersed in every aspect of fashion, assisting at fashion shows, consulting with production teams, cutting patterns and deepening her understanding of the industry.
Her talent quickly caught the attention of industry insiders, and her placement position at John Galliano was offered to her even before completing her college education. Her journey continued as assistant to the production manager, distributing patterns, collecting samples, and ensuring that everything was ready in time for Galliano's illustrious fashion shows. Liz worked amongst some of fashion’s most iconic figures, in the supermodel era of fashion, Liz found herself dressing Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington and Naomi Campell, as well as seating press from Vogue. With each experience, Liz cultivated a business insight that would benefit her further.
‘I was helping at fashion shows in earls court and the courtyard of the Louvre in Paris, working backstage with the supermodels’
As her career progressed, Liz moved from her position at Galliano to production manager for the diffusion label Galliano Genes. With Valentino’s acquisition of the collection, Liz added to her experience by participating in sales meetings alongside various prestigious fashion retailers like Selfridges. After deepening her understanding of the commercial aspects of fashion, she eventually took over sales operations within the business. Liz’s wealth of experience equipped her with a set of industry expertise, which she transferred into her next role at French Connection and Great Plains. Liz spent 14 years with the company, holding pivotal sales roles and highlighting her profound knowledge of consumer preferences, as well as demonstrating her proficiency in leadership by managing fashion agents globally.
‘We worked on special projects in the US for Sears, I travelled to Chicago and New York and put together collections of clothing to sell to these significant brands’
Liz decided to begin a new chapter outside the city. Her ambitious spirit and breadth of experience led her to pursue her dream of owning her own boutique. At the suggestion of a friend, Liz chose Lindfield, a quaint village, as the location for her boutique, recognising it is potential as a thriving community. In 2010, with meticulous planning and a comprehensive business plan, Liz and her husband, Rupert, opened Doodie Stark.
14 years later, Liz and Rupert have created a destination shopping experience, recently opening a purpose-built flagship store with a standout presence. Liz’s appreciation for quality craftmanship and design has allowed Doodie Stark to become an exclusive UK stockist for various brands. While her undeniable talent in fashion has allowed her business to thrive, Liz’s true passion remains on the shopfloor with our wonderful customers.
