Fashion designer Melanie Crawshaw is turning heads with her short skirts and corsets.

The 25-year-old has started her own business designing, making and marketing her own range of club wear guaranteed to get you noticed.

But Wink, Melanie's own label, nearly did not get off the ground.

After studying illustration at university, she moved to Brighton with the hope of finding a job with a media company and found openings did not exist.

She enrolled on a dressmaking course in the hope of combining her drawing skills with fashion and was invited to join the Government's New Deal programme, designed to get young people into work.

Melanie said: "I went for the option of starting my own business. I'd always wanted to work for myself. I love fashion and sexy clothes, so it was a great opportunity to combine the two and start a fashion business."

New Deal candidates are given business training and help with drawing up a business plan. The scheme in Brighton and Hove is run by In Biz on behalf of Employment Services and at the end of the initial training period, the young entrepreneurs are expected to be ready to set up in business.

Melanie was worried she was going to fall at the first hurdle but an application to the Prince's Youth Business Trust for a start-up loan was successful and the business was launched last week.

Melanie said: "My designs are inspired by Fifties underwear and include corsets and suspenders, which I love.

"It is mainly club wear for people who want to be different. I love the glamorous film stars of those days. The fashions were really girlie and they are making a comeback, especially in the clubs.

"I work to a size that suits most women. My designs look good on all women, not just the size 10s."

Melanie has just won a contract to supply her outfits to Gotham Angels in London.

In Brighton and Hove, she has outlets though Cutie in Kensington Gardens, Boutique in Trafalgar Street and Design4Nation in Dukes Court.

Melanie can be contacted on 01273 206324.