Having first begun life at Doug Richard’s School for Creative Startups, Pip Howeson has closed an undisclosed seed funding round from the entrepreneur.

Richard, who founded and sold technology companies Visual Software and ITAL Computers, set up the School for Creative Startups in 2008. Howeson, who has worked for Jack Wills and Selina Blow, was part of the first class at the school.

As part of her ‘bespoke high-end tailoring’ company, Howeson uses traditional garment designs to produce made-to-measure fashion pieces using materials sourced entirely from the British Isles.

Richard has been joined by technology investor, and GrowthBusiness columnist, Chris Ingram in the funding round. Ingram set up Ingram Enterprise in 2008 and traditioanlly backs entrepreneurs and businesses in the media, communications, sport and digital sectors in London and New York.

Speaking to GrowthBusiness, Richard comments, ‘I am investing in Pip because she represents the absolute best of British creativity, British manufacturing and is both herself a great investment but also represents something that is very important for this country – and that is a younger generation of unbelievably creative people who also choose to be entrepreneurs. And we recognise, or don’t recognise that, at our peril.’

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The investment Howeson has secured will go towards opening up a store in the course of the coming year and to develop a made-to-order service.

To coincide with the seed round, Howeson has opened a Christmas store in Bloomsbury, London and will be showcasing a new cashmere collection.

Howeson says, ‘I’m incredibly lucky to have received backing from Doug and Chris. It’s going to allow me to further develop the collection and spread the word about the benefits of bespoke garments that are made in Britain.’

Ingram’s investment firm holds current investments in sports marketing agency Sports Revolution and digital content business Snack Media.

‘As an entrepreneur with over 40 years experience and as an investor in start-up and small businesses with Ingram Enterprise, I look to support young and aspiring business-minded people like Pip,’ Ingram adds.

For a more comprehensive look at the start-ups, click here for a video interview with Doug Richard.