A teenage entrepreneur who launched a 'positive' clothing range after being bullied had his range shown at London Fashion Week.
Oliver Jude, from St Helens, started his business after having a difficult time in school, where he said he was often misunderstood because of his Tourette's and Autism. However, wanting to make good out of his story, the 17-year-old channelled his energy into releasing a clothing range which includes t-shirts emblazoned with positive thinking life mantras.
For a long time Oliver believed others labelled him a "health and safety risk" because of his conditions. He was bullied by other pupils and, in his eyes, treated unfairly by the education system. However, after transferring to Rainford High School, St Helens, he began to flourish with the right support. Despite this, Oliver didn't always have the same mindset he has today.
READ MORE: Woman 'sneaks into' London Fashion Week wearing a bin bag
He told the ECHO : "Mentally, this has affected me hugely. In 2017 I decided the pain got too much and decided to end it by ending my life, there was no way out for me. I had one thing that stopped me, and this was my inner passion, it's so strange to say but there was one thing in me that said don't, just don't do it, you've a whole life ahead of you that you need to take control with. That's exactly what I decided to do, took control of my own life and owned it."
The former student 'took back control' by launching his clothing line, Oliver Jude Clothing, and in just a matter of months it became a huge success, giving him clients in places like Dubai and California.
Oliver's hard work hasn't gone unnoticed in the UK either, as he was awarded the Young Community Star award at the Pride of St Helens and has been supported by Gemma Collins and her former flame, James Argent. One of his t-shirts even made a guest appearance on an episode the Real Housewives of Cheshire thanks to Dawn Ward.
However, the icing on the cake for Oliver came when he was approached with the opportunity of a lifetime to have his fashion brand modelled on a prestigious runway, surrounded by influencers and fashion aficionados at London Fashion Week. Oliver's clothing, worn by a deaf model, an albino model and a model with one arm, opened the show in 2020 to a jam-packed room.
He said: "London Fashion Week is possibly the most overwhelming experience I have ever had. To see my fashion brand, with sloganed t-shirts all about self-love and self-empowerment worn by diverse models is just everything that my brand stands for. Diversity is something that my brand accepts more than anything.
"I suppose, it's just being in the right place at the right time, talking to the right people and then being at the right places. From high end networking events up and down the UK, talking and introducing myself to certain people knowing what I'd want them to support with and clearly now down the line, it's worked.
"I was completely in shock and just overwhelmed everytime a celebrity would like my post, share a story or post about me. It's just completely mind blowing that from 14 I have created such huge success. No words can explain how it feels."
While Oliver has been taking some time for himself, he is planning to relaunch the business soon with the clothes more diverse than ever. Currently the range includes slogans such as 'I am Joy' and 'Believe in Yourself', but moving forward he hopes to add more, all while making his range available in more sizes and sustainable.
