A former Cupar girl who was written off in P2 at primary school because she is severely dyslexic has been named amongst the top young up and coming retailers in the UK.
Vanessa Murray, 25, head of ladieswear, at A Hume, has been named on Drapers’ annual list of the creme de la creme of fashion retail aged 30 and under.
Each year Drapers magazine, the UK’s leading authority on the fashion industry, launch a search for Drapers’ 30 under 30.
The list of rising fashion retail stars, aged 30 or under recognises them for their career development, key achievements and future potential.
The list is fiercely contested, hotly anticipated and Vanessa lines up alongside professionals from the retail giants: Topshop, Oasis, Superdry, Hugo Boss, Harvey Nichols and Liberty.
Vanessa began her retail career in 2010 in the Barbour concession at Jenners in Edinbugh. She joined A Hume Country Clothing in 2012, tasked with growing the ladieswear department.
Vanessa said: “I’ve always aspired to make the 30 under 30 list. I never imagined I’d make it, certainly not aged 25. I’m very grateful for the support and opportunity I’ve had at A Hume.”
Vanessa’s mum Ali said: “Vanessa has worked hard all her life and is a great ambassador for dyslexia. “She helped write a leaflet for young people in education to help them understand what it was like to live with dyslexia.
“We are so grateful to St Columba’s Primary School in Cupar and also Kilgraston for all that they did to support her when she left Castlehill.
She contacted Sir Jackie Stewart and Kenny Logan last year and both were very receptive to her aims to highlight dyslexia across the board.
Kenny got in touch and Sir Jackie Stewart invited her to a recent seminar at Queen Margaret University.”