Louis Tomlinson ‘to launch new clothing brand inspired by his lucky number 28’

Louis Tomlinson is preparing to launch a new clothing brand inspired by his lucky 28, according to a new report.

The Sun claims the former One Direction star, 30, has decided to launch his own clothing collection called 28. 

The line will include a range of items from jumpers and tracksuits to baseball caps and bags as well. 

The singer is said to have made the brand’s name official last month with a trademark application and is expected to start selling items at the end of the year. 

Louis is said to have opted for the brand name 28 because it is his favourite number and he has the number tattooed on two of his fingers. 

The star has been sporting items with his logo 28 on on his most recent tour.

New industry: The former One Direction star, 30, has decided to launch his own clothing collection called 28 (pictured 2020)

This comes nine months after Louis’ ex bandmate Harry Styles launched a nail polish and skincare collection, Pleasing, in November. 

Last month Louis branded the first One Direction album as ‘s**t’.

Venture: Louis’ ex bandmate Harry Styles launched his nail polish brand, Pleasing, last year (pictured 2021)

He and his fellow former 1D bandmates – Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan – were formed on The X Factor in 2010.

They went on to release Up All Night in November 2011 in the UK and Ireland, and worldwide in 2012, with their debut album selling 4.5million copies worldwide.

But Louis did not speak favourably about the first of the group’s studio offerings during an appearance on the Smallzy’s Surgery podcast last week.

Opening up: Last month Louis branded the first One Direction album ‘s**t’, with the star opening up about debut recording Up All Night in the Smallzy’s Surgery podcast (pictured in 2012 left to right Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan)

He said: ‘Twelve years ago today the band got formed, but the first album was s**t any way.’

One Direction went on to release albums Take Me Home in 2012, Midnight Memories in 2013, Four in 2014 and Midnight in the A.M in 2015, before they split in 2016.

The band were put together on ITV talent show The X Factor 12 years ago, with judges Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh choosing which boys should be grouped together after they had all auditioned as solo artists.

History: They went on to release Up All Night in November 2011 in the UK and Ireland, and worldwide in 2012, with their debut album selling 4.5million copies worldwide (pictured in 2011)

It comes after Simon made a cheeky dig at Louis’ bandmate Liam at the time in never-before-seen footage.

Last month, Liam, 28, ruffled feathers when he claimed the group had been formed around him, stating that the judges had started with his face before choosing to add the other members .

Yet just weeks after he made the comments, an unaired clip from the ITV show revealed that Liam was actually the fourth boy added to the line-up.

The clip also featured a sly dig from Simon, who remarked that Liam thought he was ‘better’ than anyone else in the group.

Liam was known to the judges having auditioned for the show unsuccessfully two years prior at the age of 14 – being rejected at the judges’ houses stage when mentor Simon told him to re-audition later down the line.

Speaking about his later success on the show, Liam said on Logan Paul’s podcast last month: ‘From what I’ve heard, part of the reason One Direction was made was because of Simon’s promise to me that, “In two years, I’ll make this work for you.”

‘So he started with my face, and then worked around the rest… I was the honorary member of One Direction. He told me that story himself at his house.’

Wow: Louis did not speak favourably about the first of the group’s studio offerings, he said: ‘Twelve years ago today the band got formed, but the first album was s**t any way’

Liam’s comments went viral at the time, even prompting a dig from Lizzo who remarked in a TikTok clip last month: ‘I don’t know who lied to that poor boy, but he was not the frontman.’

The new X Factor clip proved that Liam had indeed been mistaken with his comments and also featured a sly dig from his former mentor Simon who accused him of being arrogant.

In the footage, it’s revealed that Niall was actually the first boy pulled out of the stack to form the band, followed by Harry, then Louis, then Liam with Zayn completing the line-up.

Nicole remarked of the group: ‘They’re just too talented to get rid of. And they’ve got just the right look and the right charisma on stage.

‘They’re like little stars, so you can’t get rid of little stars – you put them all together.’

While Liam was not chosen as the first person to form the band, the judges did praise his vocal ability, with Simon remarking: ‘He was the standout audition, you don’t think he should be over there?’ while pointing to the solo boys section.

Disagreeing, Nicole responded: ‘I don’t think so. If he’s the standout, then he could be the leader.’

Making a sly dig, Simon then stated: ‘He thinks he’s better than anyone else in that list.’

Throwback: Last month, Liam, 28, ruffled feathers when he claimed the group had been formed around him, stating that the judges had started with his face before choosing to add Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik (pictured on the show in 2010)