A T-shirt designer from Bolton is exhibiting his range of trendy clothing at a top London fashion show.
Mark Bailey, who designs clothes under the label Steely Flats, has been asked to attend the prestigious three-day event, 40 Degrees.
The 35-year-old is exhibiting next to some of the country's leading fashion brands including Quicksilver and Fred Perry.
He will be joined by a handful of other North-west designers -- becoming the first time designers from the region to have their own space at the show.
The exposure could lead to lucrative contracts for Mr Bailey, catapulting his label into shops nationwide.
Currently, Steely Flats operates from a unit at Bolton Enterprise Centre, on Washington Street, having started with the aid of government cash.
But despite sometimes working alone, Mr Bailey has managed to create a label which has become very popular among skateboarders, snowboarders and BMX riders.
His clothes are sold in specialist shops, mainly in the south. But Mr Bailey now wants to see his T-shirts, jeans and fleeces sold to a wider audience including shops in Bolton.
He said: "I'm trying to strike a balance. We want the brand to maintain its current underground feel while gaining as much exposure as we can.
Major
"The show will be the biggest we have ever done. Before we have had only small stalls but this time we're going to be given space near the major labels. It can only be a good thing."
Mr Bailey, who studied business studies and marketing at the University of Huddersfield, set up Steely Flats in 1989.
He frequently visited top Manchester dance clubs such as the Hacienda and became involved with the skateboarding scene.
He works with his friend David Hallwood on a range of designs, drawing influences from old films and music.
Mr Bailey said: "I could never find anything I wanted to wear when I was younger so I thought I would design by own clothes.
"My friends and I started wearing the T-shirts around the clubs and others would ask where we got them from.
"So it really started as a hobby but in 1995 I started to get more serious about it.
"I'm now at a stage where people like Jason Davies, who is the current world champion BMX rider, are wearing the clothes."
The London show is billed as Europe's most influential event for young fashion. Designers will be able to meet with the press and buyers.
Mr Bailey is also hoping the label will help to boost Bolton's dwindling textile trade.
He said: "When I did history at school I learned all about the industrial revolution and I thought it would a lovely idea to try and keep the industry alive.
"Steely Flats is very much a Bolton firm. In fact, Steely refers to the steel, grit and determination of people in the town and the Flats part refers to skateboarding.
"I'm going to use the show to showcase what people in Bolton can do."
The trade-only show is taking place at Excell, in London's Docklands, and runs until tomorrow.
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