A clothing label which has taken the world by storm has been shortlisted for a UK Fashion Exports Award.

Designer Sarah Arnett, who runs Simultane, in Ship Street, Brighton, with Simon Beales, sells in 70 stores in 20 countries across the globe and celebrity fans include pop singer Kylie Minogue, model Erin O'Connor and television presenter Kate Thornton.

The company had no overseas presence two years ago apart from a small range at Legacy's in New York.

But since selling to countries including Japan, Australia, Brazil, Greece, Kuwait and Ireland, the label's success in the export market has been phenomenal.

Simultane is involved in the Government's Passport to Export scheme, run by UK Trade and Investments (UKTI) and during the scheme they visited trade shows in Paris and Japan where they met fashion buyers and importers.

This has resulted in 20 per cent of the company's turnover coming from abroad.

The label, which changed from Simultane to Sarah Arnett last year, now stocks in 80 different stores including Harvey Nichols and Selfridges as well as Liberty in London.

The UK Fashion Export Awards will be presented by Princess Anne at London's Landmark London Hotel in Marylebone on June 12. They are designed to reward companies which have demonstrated export excellence. Sarah Arnett is one of four shortlisted in the womenswear category.

Sarah graduated in Fashion and Textiles from the University of Brighton and all of her work is designed in the studio over her shop.

Managing director Simon Beales said: "We were quite surprised to be nominated in the womenswear section because it usually has companies which are really well established. The fact it is an international award is a real affirmation of Sarah's design ability.

"She does a lot of prints and dresses. It is very feminine and quite sophisticated for the strong, independent woman who wants something a bit different."