Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Move over, Milan - The Only Way Is Essex! Billie and Sam Faiers branch out from Brentwood high street with their debut clothing line

By Georgina Littlejohn


They are the stars of a very popular reality TV show and the owners of a thriving high street boutique that has also taken its wares online.

But for Sam and Billie Faiers, the world is most definitely their oyster and the sisters known when they've come across a pearl, especially when it comes to fashion.

The Only Way Is Essex stars have taken their ideas, tastes and eye for fashion and have designed their very first clothing line.

Model sisters: Sam and Billie Faiers used themselves as the models for their new clothing label GraciEve which launched at House of Fraser yesterday

The range, which is touted as more Hollywood Hills than Brentwood High Street, is called GraciEve and yesterday was launched at 14 House of Fraser stores across the UK.

Prices for the ready-to-wear range vary from £65 for a sequinned bodycon dress to £42 for a pair of leopard-print sequin hotpants.

It was designed and completely financed by Billie and Sam and created in partnership with Essex-based stylist Jeff Mehmet.

The only style is Essex: Sam and Billie already own a thriving fashion boutique in Brentwood

Louise Bailey, House of Fraser's contemporary buyer, said the line will be a 'huge success' because of the timing of the launch.

She explained: 'Essex is very on trend at the moment, isn't it? It's Essex chic. I can see it translating up north and in the rest of the country.

'When I saw the collection I loved it and placed a considerable order there and then. Sam and Billie have a great eye and really understand how young women want to dress and shop today.'

Naturals: Billie and Sam looked at ease in front of the cameras as they modelled their designs

Sam and Billie already know a bit about fashion and business as they are the owners of Minnie's Boutique in Brentwood, Essex, which viewers of the reality TV show were introduced to during the last series.

It sells labels such as Forever Unique, and Maggie and Me, and the girls have often been seen wearing the designs on the show.

It launched online earlier this month and received 10m hits before it went live, with 380,000 hits in the first 10 minutes.

Sam said: 'The response is mad. There will be comments asking where we got anything we wear on the show, even if it is just a new Alice band.'

Dotty about fashion: Sam is illuminated by the light as she posed in a short polka dot dress from her collection


source:dailymail