A designer had her first taste of Stateside success after being chosen to attend an inspirational trade mission in New York City.

Award-winning personalised gift company Ellie Ellie was selected along with 11 other up-and-coming UK brands to explore the New York fashion scene as part of Enterprise Nation’s Go Global campaign.

Danielle Plowman, founder of the Hove company, said: “Enterprise Nation organised a jam-packed schedule for us, starting with store visits and a retail walking tour of Manhattan with our expert tour guide Joline of Window Wears.”

The four-day trip, which started on Friday, July 14, aimed to inspire the UK’s brightest young fashion brands to start exporting goods to the US market.

Danielle said: “We were lucky enough to meet experts in New York pop-up retail from Appear Here, Reveal and Pop Up Mob.

“We learnt that in New York short-term retail experiences are becoming more and more popular as consumers are increasingly looking to discover new places and products.

“We learnt all about the creativity and vision behind some of New York’s most famous window displays, from Saks Fifth Avenue to the iconic Tiffany’s – all incredible visual merchandising inspiration.”

The group of designers, which included Notting Hill-based luxury tailor Santamaria Shirtmakers, young fashion designer Rachel McMillan and urban cycling accessories brand Goodordering, were even given the opportunity to each host their own pop-up market stalls in the city.

Danielle said: “On the Sunday we launched our own pop-up market with the other UK businesses in the bustling Canal Street, Chinatown.

“It was exciting to hear the positive reception from our American customers, they particularly liked our map jewellery range and slogan tote bags.”

Ellie Ellie prides itself on creating unique and personalised products, many of which are made from vintage, upcycled, recycled or sustainable materials.

Since its launch five years ago the brand has been a huge online success, winning Sussex Online Business of the Year in 2014 and the Fastest Growing Business prize at the Brighton and Hove Business Awards in 2016.

Its products have gained national exposure after being worn by celebrities including Jessie J and Pixie Lott.

The trip provided UK small business owners with a chance to learn about running a successful pop-up shop, meet trade experts and potential customers, and cultivate opportunities in the American market, which accounts for almost 30 per cent of the world’s consumer market with an expenditure of $10 trillion.

The Enterprise Nation Go Global campaign has been helping successful UK start ups and small businesses to launch their products abroad since 2014.

Emma Jones, CEO of Enterprise Nation, said: “It’s our mission to take Britain’s independent businesses to the world via a series of trade delegations we’re running this year. The New York fashion scene is every designer’s dream and a short, targeted mission is a wonderful opportunity to lay down the ground work for opening up a whole new and important revenue stream.”