A YOUNG businesswoman combined her two passions to build a brand from a sketchbook.

Grace Kennedy, from Goodworth Clatford, has developed a country-inspired underwear line out of her own pocket.

Launching on June 4, Ossa Stark currently includes six designs inspired by typical country fabrics and prints like tweed and plaid with four-way stretch for comfort and flexibility.

The 23-year-old entrepreneur enjoyed textiles at college and found comfort in horse riding in 2014 when her dad was suffering from liver cancer before a transplant operation. Living in rural Hampshire, Grace left Queen Mary’s College, in Basingstoke, clueless about what was next.

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The Boots employee first had the idea of developing her own underwear brand when shopping with her mum for a nude-coloured bra. To their dismay, there was only one shade of skin colour.

As a throwaway comment Grace said: “I should do that” to which her mum replied “Do it, why not? Anything is within your power.”

It wasn’t until the Badminton Horse Trials in 2019 that Grace had the lightbulb moment of combining her passions for the countryside and underwear.  

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Grace said: “Country people are quite niche and big on their brands. Whenever I search for country-inspired underwear nothing really comes up. From my market research, there seemed to be a gap for my business and people have said they’ve never seen anything like it.

“It sounds silly, but I really like bras and knickers. If you have a good matching set on underneath your clothes it makes you feel confident and the same goes for quality boxers I’m sure.”

Developing the brand in 2019 from sketches and mood boards, Grace struggled with being taken seriously until she found the manufacturer Intimate Apparel Samples.

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Grace continued: “My parents were supportive but I had to do everything on my own. When I found Intimate Apparel Samples and turned up with my little sketchbook it felt like it was the first time someone believed in me.”

“I struggled beforehand due to ageism, I felt like when I called people they could tell I was young and therefore dismissed me.”

The self-starter hopes to develop the brand with more styles, sizes and products while refurbishing a trailer to take to country shows, festivals and equestrian events in 2023. Eventually, Grace hopes to leave her full-time job at Boots in Basingstoke to focus on Ossa Stark.

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Grace added: “There’s so much potential. It all started as a sketch and where I’ve got to is just mindblowing. The reaction has been really great. I’m gaining followers on Instagram everyday.

“I’ve launched an ambassador programme for people to represent the brand and I can’t keep up with the applications as they are flying in.”

Ossa Stark currently stocks two designs of boxers, bralettes and knickers and is available on Facebook and Instagram. For more go to ossastark.co.uk.