A 17yr old realise his designer dreams!

First off, I want to say that although I am 17, I'm very aware that everyone is struggling with money at the moment. I don't know it all, but I know to give anything at this time is harder than ever, so half of me feels guilty doing this.

I have always been in to fashion, my parents have the photos to prove it. For the last 2 years, with the unconditional support of my beautiful girlfriend Marie, I have been working on my own clothing brand.

It's called GMA and stands for Give Me Attention. GMA was created in order to encourage self confidence and self acceptance whilst radiating it to others through our fashion. We strive for the best quality whilst trying to keep our products and packaging eco friendly. GMA aims to help everyone accept who they really are. We believe everyone deserves to be given attention: any shape, any size, any age, any gender; soak in the attention you deserve. We want to radiate body confidence, love and positivity through out clothing. We want everyone who wears our clothing to feel like a family, spreading nothing but positivity to those around them. Just always be yourself and learn that its okay to be different because we all deserve attention.

With all the generous donations so far we have able to purchase the rights to our website link, our hangtags and customised packaging! We are so grateful, this is only the beginning!

We really didnt want to compromise on quality of our clothing and now I've got all the numbers together and I'm at the stage where I want to produce some prototypes and sample hoodies.

This is where I've hit a wall! Obviously this is going to cost alot of money. Money I dont have! The quotes I have gotten back from companies run into the hundreds and I just don't have the sustainable funds to get this thing kick started.

I'm trying my best to save; I have a weekend job but it's minimal wage. I'm currently studying at a sports college so I'm restricted to weekends which is taken up by mountains of collegework, my weekend job and my driving lessons.

Its really important to me that you know I'm not work shy. I have always known that to have nice things you have to work for them. I bought my first pair of expensive trainers after an entire summer of mowing grass at 14yrs old - it did me no harm and I loved those trainers and still wear them today.

I want to use my savings as I have so much faith in my project but Mum says I have to save it for driving lessons. I get it, but it frustrates me because I know where my attitude and work ethic could take this.

I have approached my local council to see if there are any grants but so far have failed to hear from them.

If you could donate the smallest sum, it will help me so much and i'd be so grateful. Why shouldn't it be me that works hard and has success?!

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and giving my project a chance.

Forever grateful

Ethan - Owner of GMA Clothing