Here we share the journey of Kate Hill – Founder of Lola Starr Active Wear and Female Boss Live Panellist.
Kate , The founder of Lola Starr, a Liverpool-born active wear brand created to empower real women through high-quality, sustainable design. Every piece is made here in the UK using premium recycled fabrics. Staying loyal to British manufacturing has always been at the heart of the brand, even when it’s been the harder road to take.
The Earth Collection was designed to help women slow down, reconnect with themselves, others and the environment around them.
But Ironically, it’s been the most stressful collection, and time, of her entire journey.
Behind the calm colours and considered designs were months of chaos: manufacturing issues, broken promises, and deadlines slipping through her fingers. When everything fell apart, Kate found herself making every single pair of leggings and every sports bra herself, determined to keep going, not let customers down, protect the integrity of the brand and honour the women who support it.
“While so much of what was happening with manufacturing was completely out of my control, there was one thing I could control, and that was how I showed up for myself. Long before the challenges unfolded, I had set a personal goal to model the collection. Training, moving my body, and staying consistent became something grounding during an otherwise overwhelming time”
There were tears.
Moments of self-doubt.
Late nights where the machines were loud, but her doubts were louder.
Times when she genuinely questioned whether she could pull it off.
And yet… she kept going.
This collection became a lesson of resilience for her, a reminder that problem after problem isn’t a sign to stop; it’s often the very thing that shapes you. Growth can feel uncomfortable. And sometimes, the hardest chapters create the pieces you’re most proud of.
“What you go through grows you” Kate adds.
“And this collection grew me in ways I never expected”
Earth shapes you. Earth grows you, reminding us that even the hardest seasons can spark the deepest growth.
A powerful moment was stepping completely out of her comfort zone and modelling the collection herself. “It felt important to show up as the woman behind the brand, not perfect, but real”
Modelling the campaign wasn’t about perfection or appearance. It was about ownership, standing behind her work, her own body, and her journey as the founder. For Kate, it felt important to show up honestly and reflect the reality behind the brand: the vulnerability, the quiet strength, and the self-belief it takes to keep moving forward.
She wanted to show the reality of a small business, resilience, and what it takes to keep moving forward when things don’t go to plan.
“This collection isn’t just something I designed, it’s something I lived through
And I hope every woman who wears it feels that strength woven into every stitch” To view the collection now see here – EARTH Collection – Lola Starr
