Pictured above: Nicky Thomson

A Malvern fashion designer is exporting scarves, hats, jackets, capes and gloves to a premier Japanese department store, with help from UK Trade & Investment (UKTI).

Nicky Thomson, of Leigh Sinton, designs knitted fashion and interior accessories, which are all made in the UK and available at department stores and independent retailers.

She has won an order with the prestigious Mitsukoshi store after being selected to join a high level UKTI fashion trade mission to Tokyo last November.

Nicky said: "I met the client at a two-day Meet the Buyer showcase organised by UKTI's commercial team at the British Embassy in Tokyo. 

"The business is initially worth £8,000 but I'm hopeful this will lead to much more in the long term - they particularly liked my use of colours and a unique fine felted wool fabric that I've developed.

"The store will be launching my knitwear later this year and the buyer also introduced me to their distributor, who is interested in marketing the range to other outlets. 

"The support from UKTI has been fantastic - the commercial team in Tokyo were very positive about my products, and my international trade adviser Paul Thompson is excellent. He is a great source of ideas for developing my export business and has helped me to access grants for market visits."

Nicky is also exporting to the USA, Australia, France, Spain and Germany, and overseas business now accounts for 25 per cent of her sales.

She set up her company, which trades as Nicky Thomson, in 2005 and has worked with UKTI since the early days of the business, completing the flagship Passport to Export programme for new exporters.

Nicky is now on the Gateway to Global Growth programme, which offers a tailored, needs-based service with training and ongoing support for exporters with two to ten years' experience.

This includes an in-depth export review, assistance in formulating an international trade strategy, networking opportunities to share best practice and signposting to funding streams such as financial support for market visits.

UKTI international trade adviser Paul Thompson, based at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: "Nicky has devoted much time and effort to enter this market and has been justifiably rewarded.

"I'm delighted that we at UKTI have been able to help and I look forward to continuing to work with her."