Two young entrepreneurs have launched a new online fashion firm in lockdown aimed at empowering young women.
Aimed at 16 to 35-year-olds, Newcastle-based Queens at Heart curates different clothing styles to allow young women to create their own unique styles.
The company is the brainchild of Sharree Thompson and Ellie James, who aim to expand the team over the coming year to meet the growing demand thanks to its celebrity following, which includes the likes of ex-Geordie Shore star Chantelle Connelly.
Read more:Sisters' fashion firm realises dream ambition
Ms Connelly said: 鈥淨ueens at Heart is an amazing North East based fashion brand set up by two Newcastle ladies that I respect enormously.
鈥淭hey鈥檝e created an online store that empowers women with cutting-edge designs and complimentary styles. I鈥檓 looking forward to seeing their brand grow and I can鈥檛 wait to work with them again.鈥
The firm, which is targeting turnover of 拢1.5 million within three years, takes its inspiration from 海角视频 high street fashion as well as international trends.
Queens at Heart co-founder and director, Ms Thompson had a promising start in the fashion industry, working as a model and travelling the country to manage fashion shows.
The 34-year-old took a break in her career to raise her three children and, 17 years later, felt the urge to start her own company and reconnect with her flare for fashion.
She said: 鈥淪ome of our range is inspired by high street fashion but much of it is inspired by international styles making it a brand with an identity of its own.
鈥淚n the future we are looking to expand our range for plus size women, tall and petite. We hope we can also work with designers so we can stock our own range and brand of clothing.鈥
Ms James, 27, meanwhile, has also experienced juggling her career aspirations with raising children.
A make-up artist by trade, she trained at the P.Louise Make Up Academy in Manchester.
For the latest BusinessLive news click here to sign up for our daily newsletter.
In addition to running the day-to-day operations of the business, Ms James styles the company鈥檚 models for its photo shoots and intends to introduce a beauty line in the coming months which will sell makeup and beauty products.
Queens at Heart intends to employ a number of apprentices linking up with local schools and colleges before growing its administration, design, packaging and distribution teams.
Ms Thompson added: 鈥淲e would like to recruit from within the area that the company has been founded. This is a deprived area and we would like to give back to the community. We also hope that we can work with designers so we can have our range and brand of clothing.鈥
