Louie Spence – We Need to Talk: Creativity, Mental Health and the Legacy of Pineapple Studios
Louie Spence is a name synonymous with British dance culture, bold self-expression and fearless individuality. In We Need to Talk, the podcast hosted by Paul C. Brunson, Louie opens up candidly about anxiety, fame and the loss of close family members. The episode, recently featured in Scene Magazine, offers a rare and powerful insight into the emotional reality behind a high-profile creative career.
Louie’s honesty around mental health is particularly important within the creative industries, where pressure, visibility and constant performance are often normalised. His story reinforces how creativity can be both an outlet and a survival tool – a theme that strongly connects with the culture of Pineapple Dance Studios, where Louie rose to prominence.
My Experience as a Fashion Design Intern at Pineapple Studios
Long before launching Freelance Fashion Designer UK, I had the opportunity to work as a fashion design intern at Pineapple Studios, a globally recognised hub for dance, performance and movement. Pineapple is more than a studio – it is a creative institution that has supported generations of dancers, choreographers and entertainers.
During my internship, I worked across multiple areas of dancewear and performance fashion design. My responsibilities included:
- Creating original dancewear designs
- Producing detailed tech packs for manufacturing
- Supporting garment development for active movement
- Organising press releases alongside Pineapple founder Debbie Moore OBE
This experience gave me a deep understanding of how functional design meets performance, and how branding, media and fashion intersect within the dance industry.
What It Was Like Working Around Louie Spence
Working around Louie Spence was unforgettable. He was exactly as you’d expect – outgoing, eccentric and a born entertainer. His presence filled a room, but what made the biggest impact was his authenticity. Louie never diluted who he was, and that confidence in identity was incredibly inspiring to witness firsthand.
The openness Louie now shows in We Need to Talk reflects the same energy I experienced at Pineapple Studios: creativity without apology, emotion without shame.
What Pineapple Studios Represents Today
Pineapple Studios remains one of the most influential dance studios in the UK, continuing to support professional dancers, performers and creative entrepreneurs. Its success lies in its ability to nurture individuality while maintaining professional excellence – values that strongly influence how I approach fashion design today.
Designing dancewear, activewear and loungewear requires an understanding of movement, comfort and identity. My time at Pineapple shaped how I design garments that perform as hard as the people wearing them.
Thinking of Creating Your Own Dancewear or Loungewear Brand?
If Louie Spence’s journey, We Need to Talk, or the legacy of Pineapple Studios has inspired you to develop your own dancewear, activewear or loungewear collection, I’d love to help bring your ideas to life.
As a UK freelance fashion designer, I support clients with design development, tech packs, sampling and production-ready designs.
👉 Get in touch here:
https://www.freelancefashiondesigneruk.co.uk/contact
