A FASHION designer from Chester is aiming for the top following a stellar 12 months.

Sally Ellis, originally from Christleton but now living in Tarporley, has enjoyed phenomenal success in recent months, winning a major award and appearing on a TV fashion series alongside pop star, Rihanna.

Sally, 27, scooped the Fashion First Fashion Designer of the Year Award in London earlier this month and was on the Sky Living TV show, Styled to Rock, during the summer, where she was one of 12 contestants aiming to impress the Barbadian songstress with their designs.

Salford University fashion graduate Sally has seen her fashion career take off since opening her own high-end boutique, SVE Fashion, on Tarporley High Street two years ago.

“I am living my dream at the moment and things couldn’t be going much better to be honest,” said Sally.

“I have worked so hard and to win the award was just amazing. You have got to push yourself in this industry as it is so competitive but, right now, things are really moving in the right direction.

“I think what set me apart was the fact that I make all my own designs and they could see how passionate I was about what I do.”

Sally opened up her boutique in 2010 and, living above her shop, has lived and breathed fashion.

“I am pretty much sewing 24/7, I don’t really have much time for anything else, I’m just too busy,” she said. “It is what I love though and to have a boutique in Tarporley has always been a dream of mine.

“I would come to Tarporley with my mum when I was little and used to think, ‘I want to own that pretty shop one day’, and here I am.

“There is no better feeling than loving what you do for a living. It is just the best.”

Sally beat competition from thousands of fashion hopefuls to make the final 12 of the Styled to Rock show, where she was tasked with designing an outfit for Hip Hop star, Kanye West.

Although she left the competition early, much to the dismay of fans of the show who took to Twitter to share their frustration, the TV experience was one that Sally found to be hugely beneficial.

“It was amazing to be recognised and make it past all those thousands of people and onto the final show,” she said.

“Rihanna was really nice and it was a great experience to be a part of something like that. Me and all the other designers have remained great friends.

“TV is a place for personalities and not for talent so I will be concentrating on growing as a fashion designer from now on.

“I have been to London Fashion Week and I am now trying to get into department stores but the ultimate goal is to show at New York Fashion Week. That is the pinnacle of any fashion designers career.”

Sally is now looking forward to hosting her annual Tarporley Fashion Show at the Swan Hotel on December 1 (which starts at 7.30pm), where she will be showcasing her designs for women in the area.

“I love doing the show in Tarporley as it is a great chance to meet local women and showcase my designs to my customers,” said Sally, who lived in Christleton before heading to university. “I make my designs for real women and not size six models and I think that shows like this are a great way to meet people in the area who may not know who or where you are and it is something I really enjoy doing.”