A-level student starts her own fashion line

8 hours ago

Andrea OrmsbyDevon

Gracie, 16, enjoys modelling but admits to loving business "that little bit more"

Fashion London Gracie is modelling on the catwalk at London Fashion week wearing a headband with very large chunky loops coming from the top of her ears and falling below her shoulders. Gracie has a black round neck sleeveless dress with a garment thrown over one shoulder. — Gracie, 16, enjoys modelling but admits to loving business "that little bit more"

A teenage model has launched her own fashion label while still studying for her A-levels.

Gracie, 16, from Tavistock, said she had got the idea of setting up her own clothing company while modelling on the catwalk at London Fashion Week.

Back home in her bedroom, she got to work designing hoodies which she believes have a unique selling point.

The teenage designer said the hoodies were a single colour on the outside but have a polka dot material lining the hood.

Gracie designed the hoodies in her bedroom

Gracie sitting in her bedroom in front of a mirror and with her sketchbook beside her. She has long brown hair and is wearing a black top — Gracie designed the hoodies in her bedroom

Gracie said she was 14 when she was spotted by a talent scout at a Taylor Swift concert. By the age of 15, she was on the catwalk at London Fashion Week.

She thought that although it was "really cool wearing other people's clothes", it would be better if she could create something other people wanted to wear.

Once she had the idea for her hoodies, she moved quickly to get them into production under her brand Bloom House.

"I had the sketches, picked out some colours, found a factory and now we're making them," she said.

Gracie credits her parents, Lei and Mitch, as her inspiration

Lei and Mitch are sitting next to each other on a sofa in their home. Lei is wearing a plum jacket with a neck scarf. Her dark hair is tied back and she has glasses on her head. Mitch has short brown hair and is wearing a white open necked shirt and jeans. — Gracie credits her parents, Lei and Mitch, as her inspiration

Gracie said her parents, Mitch and Lei, had inspired her as both run their own businesses.

Mitch said his daughter had sought different quotes and fabrics and tested everything "all off her own bat".

"She's keen and she wants to do this, but we'll be here in the background," he said.

Lei said even if Gracie's new company did not "go global", it would always be "a really good start".

As well as running her own business and modelling, Gracie has a part-time job in a restaurant, runs her own social media platforms and is studying business, economics, psychology and core maths for her A-levels.

"I've always been pretty good with time management, so if I keep that hopefully it shouldn't get too much," she said.