Charlotte shows she has designs (From Warrington Guardian)

Charlotte shows she has designs

on success

A CREATIVE Northwich youngster mixed fashion and fur to scoop second prize in a national design competition.

Charlotte Ives, six, of Grange Road, Cuddington, may have set a trend for future fashionistas to follow after designing a pair of jeans for her dad in a Father's Day contest run by Levi's.

Her entry was based around a teddy bear, incorporating her dad's hobby as a bear maker for Charlie's Furs and Features - his own business which he named after Charlotte.

Dad Richard, 37, said: "She's absolutely delighted and we're really proud of her achievement.

"Charlotte has always been involved with helping us since we started to work from home and she just loves cuddly toys."

So much so that her collection, which stretches the length and breadth of the house, now numbers more than 150.

Charlotte, who attends Sandiway Primary School, celebrated her sixth birthday last Friday after returning from holiday to find her prize waiting for her - a goody bag with two complete Levi's outfits.

"It's a great prize," said Richard.

"It was wonderful how she coloured it all in - we couldn't believe it when we found out she'd done so well."

More than 4,000 people submitted designs from across three age groups and Charlotte was selected as one of only six runners-up.

Jenny Grocott, trade marketing specialist from Levi Strauss, said: "There was great attention to detail in Charlotte's design - there were sewn-on ears and the idea was very original.

"There is a real wealth of talent out there and Charlotte and her family can feel very proud she demonstrated the flair required to be one of the runners-up."

When asked whether Charlotte had now caught the design bug Richard said: "She'll certainly be doing a lot more colouring in from now on, that's for sure."