Rising star Sophie has designs on success

Entrepreneurial Sophie Guy set up her fashion brand GoGuy in 2015 after receiving her first sewing machine for Christmas.

Since launching her website in May this year, GoGuy has gone from strength to strength and has been worn by celebrities including Little Mix’s Perrie Edwards and Geordie Shore’s Chloe Ferry.

Sophie, who is 22 and from Bailiff Bridge, said: “When I got my sewing machine, I had never used one before and taught myself how to use it through YouTube videos.

“I’ve always liked wearing different clothes and don’t like having the same outfit as other people, but I like branded clothing.

“When my dad got lots of pairs of boxers for Christmas that he didn’t need, I thought I could use the branded elastic to make something new to wear for my birthday in January.”

Sophie, who graduated with a BA (Hons) Events Management degree from Leeds Beckett University in summer, made a bra and skirt and soon began receiving lots of requests through social media from people wanting to know where they were from and where they could buy them. From this, the idea for GoGuy was born.

Starting with the GoGuy Reworked label, Sophie employed four seamstresses to make the clothing re-using branded products, before investing in her own GoGuy branded elastic and creating new collections, including mesh and tie dye.

When the website was launched, orders soon began pouring in.

She will now host a stand at The Clothes Show, from Friday, December 2 at the NEC Birmingham.

Sophie said: “I’m very excited about the Clothes Show but also very nervous as it is so overwhelming. A lot of hard work has gone into preparing for it. As we only officially launched in May this year, we expected to be in either the start-up or boutique section, however because we have done so well we have been allocated a space in the fashion village, alongside the big brands.”

Next year will be a big year for Sophie and GoGuy as a new website, which she originally made herself, will be professionally produced and she will be designing a new range ready to re-launch the brand in March 2017.

The future looks bright - by next year Sophie hopes to have her own team and office set up.