AN online celebrity-inspired fashion store is on target to reach a turnover of £1m in its first year of trading.

Newcastle-based Pink Boutique is the brainchild of 24-year-old journalism graduate Alice Blackie, who discovered a niche in the market for glamorous yet affordable clothing for fashion-conscious 16-30 year olds.

Her online business had expanded rapidly since its creation in mid- 2012, and has already recorded over 15,000 site visitors since January 14.

Fashion-savvy Blackie started the business part-time as she worked in the education sector, using her love and knowledge of fashion and beauty to create the brand.

Six months down the line, the company has recruited eight members of staff and has relocated to city centre premises.

The brand has achieved a loyal following through the use of social media channels, Facebook and Twitter with 36,000 fans and 10,000 followers respectively.

It also counts celebrity fans Holly Hagan and Charlotte-Letitia Crosby of Geordie Shore and TOWIE star Maria Fowler among its customers.

Blackie said: “I have always had great ambition to set up my own business, and I am absolutely delighted with the success Pink Boutique has had to date, despite the current economy we are currently operating in.

“We offer celebrity-inspired fashion at great value which isn’t always easy to find on the high street, with the overall aim to make customers feel confident and happy when wearing our items.

“The combined effort of our new website and the backing of my strong team will be a key partnership in expansion of the business, with the aim of offering loyal customers the product offering and high-quality customer service they have come to expect.

“We pride ourselves on using homegrown talent from our customer service department to our models which we hope to continue in years to come.”