SEEING your first clothing collection fly off the shelves may be a dream for some, but for knitwear graduate Thea Sanders it's becoming a reality.
The 23-year-old designer graduated from Nottingham Trent University in May of last year but has already been snapped up by the fashion bosses at George at Asda.
Her first range of knitted jumpers, cardigans and skirts, described online by Asda as "an assortment of striking styles and creative combinations", is available to buy now and has proven to be a huge success.
Thea, who is originally from Taunton in Somerset and now lives in London, said: "It was pretty amazing to see the collection online.
"The thing that I was most excited about was the label and having my name printed on the clothes.
"I'm really pleased with the collection. I think it represents my style and it's very similar to how I envisioned it."
Prices range from £12 for a printed knitted skirt, to £18 for a knitted jumper or dress.
The range comes after Thea was crowned the winner of the Stuart Peters Visionary Knitwear Award at Graduate Fashion Week in August of last year.
The prize was the chance to work alongside knitwear company Stuart Peters to adapt her graduate collection for retail sale.
She said: "There are some pieces that are exactly the same, such as the printed jumper, but we've made others a bit more commercial.
"I took a lot of my inspiration for the designs from floor tiles. I looked at how different cultures influence British interior design. That's why there's a lot of pattern on pattern and clashing.
"The people at Asda told me some pieces were nearly sold out already so it's great to know they are popular."
Course leader for fashion knitwear and knitted textile design at Nottingham Trent University, Ian Mcinnes, said that they are delighted and proud of the graduate's success.
He said: "Thea is a very talented young designer who has a love of colour and texture and attention to detail.
"She is always keen to push the boundaries and the collection for George is testimony to this. Thea is a great ambassador for the course at NTU."
After completing the Asda range, Thea is now working for knitwear design studio Fiona Colquhoun, but has big dreams of one day starting her own collection.
She added: "In the future I would love to have my own collection, but at the moment I'm working in the industry and getting as much experience as I can."
