TAYLA McFarlane has not yet graduated primary school but she is already fashioning a stylish career.
The 11-year-old said she met clothes designer Bianca Whyte last Friday, where she was offered a job for after school and invited to London Fashion Week.
While Tayla’s dreams for her future are already coming true, the opportunities have come after two years of hard work.
The Thornlands girl set up her own fashion label, called 7roses, when she was nine, selling handmade beach bags and cosmetic purses to friends at school.
She said she started the business after classmates began offering money for her pieces.
“I had a lot of people wanting to buy what I had made,” she said.
“When I was seven, my mum bought me a sewing machine ... and I have been having lessons ever since.”
Tayla makes her own ballgowns and dresses but a full schedule means she has not yet begun to make outfits to sell to others.
She hopes that will change when she leaves high school, with plans to launch her brand 7roses to the world.
“I love everything about fashion (and) I have so many ideas in my head to create different looks,” she said.
“I would love to move to London and work for Bianca at Whyte Studio.”
Tayla said her label was named in honour of her father Andrew McFarlane, an Australian motocross sports champion who died after a crash in 2010.
“Andrew McFarlane … was a famous motocross rider and his race number was seven and my middle name is Rose,” Tayla said.
“My label 7roses means a lot to me.”
The year six Sheldon College student, who is enrolled in a fashion and costume design program at the school, has been tasked with making costumes for the junior school’s Lion King musical.
She is also sewing formal outfits for herself and a staff member to wear to the school’s Arts Academy night.
The 11-year helped create costumes for the senior school’s Legally Blonde musical production, which was performed last month.
Tayla’s top fashion tips
- Buy a few pieces that can be worn different ways and add accessories to change the look.
- Keep in style with ruffles, checkered patterns and luxury fringing.