Hilary and Louanna Murphy are sisters, friends, and business partners. In 2010, they joined forces as designers to create Dreamboat Lucy, a handmade accessories and clothing company that found significant success after the sisters moved to Calgary. Learn more about their journey on сalgarynka.
Education
The designers were born in Canada, on Prince Edward Island. They were always interested in vintage fashion. Redesigning old clothing was a pastime they enjoyed during high school.
Louanna graduated from the Costume Studies program at Dalhousie University in Halifax in the spring of 2006. She continued her fashion education at LaSalle College in Montreal, earning diplomas in Fashion Illustration and Computerized Pattern Design in 2007.
In 2008, both sisters enrolled at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD) in Halifax. Louanna studied fashion, while Hilary focused on jewelry design. During her studies, Hilary fell in love with creating jewelry, while Louanna became even more fascinated with vintage clothing.
While still in school, the sisters began collaborating on design projects, which eventually led to the creation of Dreamboat Lucy in 2010.
Dreamboat Lucy
Dreamboat Lucy’s clothing can be described as a line of finely constructed pieces featuring an aesthetic silhouette that accentuates the figure, infused with rock-and-roll vibes and retro elements. Bold and vibrant colors are the centerpiece of their designs.
As for the jewelry, it is affordable, unique, and most importantly, handmade. By combining precious metals with various crystals and gemstones, most of Dreamboat Lucy’s jewelry pieces are one-of-a-kind.
The symbiotic relationship between the sisters is evident in Dreamboat Lucy’s finished products. Hilary specializes in jewelry, while Louanna focuses on clothing. Their efforts merge to create a sleek yet feminine line that reflects their personalities and partnership in every way.
In an interview with Avenue Magazine, the sisters shared that working together as siblings feels natural. They often think alike. To ensure they don’t forget their familial bond, they make time to do fun activities together, just as they did before starting their business.
For Notable Life, they revealed that the best part of their work is seeing their designs come to life. However, the most challenging aspect is balancing various parts of the business and never being able to stop thinking about it. Running a business requires constant effort, leaving no room for days off.
Moving to Calgary
In 2013, the sisters relocated to Calgary, where their fan base significantly expanded. They found new retail partners and took on more custom orders while continuing to ship their designs back to Prince Edward Island.
That same year, they became finalists in the Mercedes-Benz Start Up program, which supported startups through business development training, workshops, cash prizes, and more. Dreamboat Lucy also gained recognition in prominent Canadian publications such as Flare, Fashion Magazine, The Globe and Mail, and The Kit.
In October 2013, the designers showcased their S/S 2014 collection at Toronto Fashion Week alongside seven other designers.
New Ventures
In 2017, Louanna launched her own brand in Calgary, Lou Atelier, specializing in handmade clothing and wedding dresses. Meanwhile, Hilary moved back to Halifax in 2019 with her newly formed family after six years in Calgary. She settled in a 19th-century home, where she established her workshop and continued creating jewelry for Dreamboat Lucy.