Dunfermline: Clothing brand Stjärna a hit with Scots at Euros

And, for many, their suitcases contained some of the latest items produced by a fast-growing Dunfermline fashion brand to make sure they were properly kitted out for the tournament.

Stjärna Apparel was launched in May 2022 by Michael Mlotkiewicz, who has combined his passion for trendy clothing, football and music into a successful business.

Drawing encouragement from Glasgow-based 'Bee Inspired' - launched 11 years ago by former footballers Steven Robb and Mark Corcoran - he launched his online company, which takes its name from the Swedish word for star, after being influenced by Scandinavian vibes.

It has proven to be a prosperous venture so far for Michael, whose day job is with Fife College, and he explained that his products proved a hit with fans of the national side.

"Gradually, every year, it's grown," he explained.

"For the Euros, we were pretty hot on that. I was working on that in January trying to get a range of products out, and the tracksuit tops and white t-shirt we did, they've undoubtedly been our best sellers. The demand was mental. I couldn't keep up with it!

Scotland fans snapped up Stjärna Apparel products ahead of the Euros. (Image: Stjärna Apparel.)

"It was a good problem to have, but I probably could've sold double what I did. What I did in the beginning was a pre-order, so I was able to then order what I've sold, plus a wee bit extra. But, as soon as the extra stock would come in, it would be wiped out in under an hour. I was thinking 'I'm back to square one again!'

"It was good and it's allowed us to grow again. I'm just working on more ideas now."

Lifelong Pars fan Michael - who previously worked as general manager with the club, and is a committee member of the Dunfermline Athletic Former Players Association, hosting their podcast and helping to organise events - has branched into the world of football fashion with Stjärna Apparel.

He currently has an agreement with East Fife Football Club to provide their fans with alternative clothing wear, and was approached by the Dunfermline City Fan Zone to be a sponsor, with staff working sporting Stjärna products.

Scots fans who headed to Germany snapped up products from Michael's business. (Image: Stjärna Apparel.)

Michael, who believes the brand is on course to double its profits from the end of the last financial year, continued: "It's going in the right direction.

"We've got a link-up with East Fife at the moment - they love it. It's been going good. I gave them an idea of potentially sponsoring (manager) Dick Campbell's bunnet, with my logo on it, and they loved it. That might still be a goer!

"The East Fife thing's good. Obviously, they're a smaller club, so you're not selling hundreds and thousands of items, but, again, for a shop window, it's getting linked with a professional football club, you're learning how it works, and how to improve it next time for another club.

"I thought I had a bit of an advantage because I worked in football before. With the brand, there's a retro vibe to it. I'm pretty hot on the retro stuff, I've always liked that, so in terms of designing, I'll do all the designs and then approach the club, and say there's some ideas, have a chat with your board or whatever, and get back to me.

"The ideas have gone down pretty good to be fair so far. I've never had any issues.

"I've got a link with the main Aberdeen podcast ABZ Podcast, a Hibs podcast, Hibs Ramble, the Gorgie Rules, the Hearts boys, so it's certainly spreading across our target market.

"I'm quite happy with where it's at. I think we're probably doing better than what I anticipated at the start. We've got collaborations going on, we've sponsored some cool stuff, we're advertising at the likes of Pitreavie, Oakley United, The Swifts and Kelty Hearts, so the brand is definitely growing.

"You look at Bee Inspired and Represent, all these big, multi-million pound brands - they've been going for 10-15 years. I'm only in year three now, so it's early days, but the good thing for me is it's manageable."

Michael, who has also produced football kits for local teams such as the Norries and Dunfermline West End AFC, has seen Stjärna's clothing sported by the likes of Pars boss, James McPake, club hero Martin Hardie, television actor Martin Compston, Indie band The View and radio presenters Steven Mill and Callum Gallacher.

He also said that some musicians performing at the recent TRNSMT festival were spotted in Stjärna products, which are unisex, and he added: "My brand values are in music and football, so I'm ticking those boxes.

"I'm just trying to keep growing it.

"It is exciting and it's something I'm interested in. It's not like it's difficult or like 'oh, no, I've got to do that again'. I've actually got a passion for it, so it makes it more enjoyable."

To browse the full range of products, visit https://www.stjarnaapparel.co.uk/.