A fashion design company which began life only five months ago has won a lucrative deal with high street giant Topshop.

Shaftesbury Studio, a consultancy based in Stanley Road, Brighton, was set up by husband and wife team Jude and Larch Aldred.

They already have an impressive client list, including Karen Millen, Reiss and Jaeger.

The company designs and produces highquality garments which are then sold on to companies for mass production.

Larch, 32, studied fashion design with business at Brighton University and has recruited three other Brighton graduates to work with her full-time.

Jude, 34, gives all the credit for the company's early success to their designs.

He said: "The quality of the work shone through and did all the hard work for us."

The couple said they are excited to have been offered such a rare opportunity.

Larch said: "It is inspiring to be working with a company that's so fashion-focused.

"It's a really big deal. Although Topshop is a high street brand, their clothes are featured in Vogue. They have influence worldwide and it's thrilling to be part of that."

Shaftesbury Studio produces work across all of Topshop's ranges, including Kate Moss, Unique and Boutique and is also supplying them with print designs for T-shirts.

The company has only been working with Topshop for a short period but has already made more than £20,000 from the deal.

A spokesman for Topshop said: "It is great to be working with Shaftesbury Studio - they have really impressed us."

The couple want to build up Brighton's fashion profile and vow to stay put no matter how successful they may become.

Jude said: "There is a wealth of creative talent in Brighton waiting to be tapped into."

With this in mind, they offer three-monthlong work placements for Brighton students.

Larch and Jude came up with the idea of starting the company so they could spend more time with their daughter Esme, two.

Larch said: "People were always telling us we should go into business together as we complement each other. Jude looks after the business side and I concentrate on design."

For more information, visit www.shaftes burystudio.com