Manchester Metropolitan graduate nominated for Pride of Britain Award after launching fashion brand
Manchester Metropolitan graduate Roya Rasouli has been nominated for The King’s Trust Young Achiever Award at the Pride of Britain Awards, following her inspiring journey from battling endometriosis to founding her own fashion brand, FemWear.
The nomination comes in recognition of her efforts to create comfortable, stylish clothing designed for women living with gynaecological and gut health conditions, as well as her advocacy for women’s health.
Roya, who studied Fashion Design at Manchester Metropolitan, has always had a passion for the industry. However, her path was far from easy. For ten years, she endured undiagnosed endometriosis, a chronic condition that affects one in ten women globally. Like many others with the condition, Roya’s symptoms were initially misunderstood and went untreated, leading to significant pain that impacted both her personal and professional life.
In 2019, after finally receiving a diagnosis, Roya decided to take action.
Drawing on her experience in fashion and her own health struggles, she launched FemWear, a fashion brand that prioritises the unique needs of women with conditions like endometriosis. Each garment is designed with comfort in mind, helping women manage symptoms while feeling confident in their clothing.
“It’s surreal and deeply emotional to have my work recognised in this way,” Roya said. “Creating FemWear wasn’t easy, but I’m proud that I stayed true to my vision. This recognition is not just for me but for the entire community of women who face these health challenges daily.”
The King’s Trust Young Achiever Award, part of the Pride of Britain Awards, honours young people who have overcome significant adversity to make meaningful contributions to their communities. For Roya, being shortlisted is an opportunity to shine a light on the millions of women living with endometriosis and other under-recognised health conditions.
In the early stages of launching FemWear, Rasouli faced challenges meeting increasing demand, especially after gaining significant exposure. It was then that she turned to Innospace, Manchester Metropolitan’s business incubator, where she received crucial support from Gary and Louise, two key mentors in her entrepreneurial journey.
“The help from Gary and Louise at Innospace was so important when I was getting stressed about fulfilling demand after the major exposure,” Roya explained. “Gary came up with the idea of reaching out to the University’s Fashion Institute to secure a licensee to produce more clothes. He was incredibly supportive, always available when I needed him, and sped up the process at every stage. It was a lifeline for me during a critical time.”
Innospace’s guidance helped FemWear ramp up production to meet growing demand, a critical turning point for the business. Rasouli credits the incubator’s team for their proactive approach and unwavering support.
Today, Roya’s her work is a source of hope and inspiration for many, showing that adversity can be transformed into positive change.
“It’s not just about me - it’s about everyone in the endometriosis community. These women fight daily battles with invisible conditions, and I’m grateful to be part of something that brings attention to these important conversations.”
