North East clothing firm worn by Slash and Axl Rose plans global expansion

A North East-based clothing manufacturer plans to expand into new international markets following a year-on-year increase in sales of 20%, bringing total turnover for the last year to just under £1 million.

Founded in 2003 by 30-year-old Northumbria University fashion design graduate Frank Major, Disturbia Clothing, based at Newcastle’s Hoults Yard business park, specialise in the design and manufacture of alternative streetwear.

Their T-shirts and accessories are stocked by over 150 select independent boutiques and chains around the globe including North America, Australia and Japan.

With trading split between 50% wholesale and 50% online, the business now plans to expand with the opening of its first retail outlet.

Frank Major said: “We’ve exceeded our growth forecasts for the year and now plan to expand the business by opening a store. We’ve shortlisted the first shop down to either London or Manchester and will be finalising plans at the end of this month.”

Having been sported by the likes of Slash, Axl Rose and The Prodigy, Frank started the business while studying at Northumbria University.

He said: “Whilst I was still at university, I cut my teeth designing for an alternative clothing label but I grew increasingly frustrated with the options that were available to me.

“I’ve always had a passion for textile design, and ever since I could hold a pen, I have drawn, so to combine these two passions to create a successful business has been a dream come true.”

“Our subject matter has always been left of centre, and usually focuses on the dark side of popular culture, subversive iconography, childhood nostalgia, and angry slogans, all made with a strong sense of independence, and a quintessential British punk D.I.Y ethic.”

Disturbia currently employs five full-time staff as well as an ever-growing team of independent artists and illustrators across the globe, and has plans to add to its workforce by the end of the year following expansion to a new larger warehouse and office space in Hoults Yard office complex in the city’s Ouseburn Regeneration Area.

Frank said the expansion has enabled the business to offer more personalised and private services to its customer-base: “Our philosophy is ‘always different, never mainstream’ so Hoults Yard fitted the bill perfectly for us – alternative space fits the ideology of the business perfectly, creative. Despite our global expansion our headquarters will remain in the region.”

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