fashion

'We went from "high-school dropouts" to creating a fashion empire.'

When Paris Marchant left high school in Year Nine due to her depression, she could never have known the side-project she started would become a fashion empire with thousands of fans worldwide.

The then 15-year-old started Generation Outcast Clothing as an “outlet” for her anxiety and in just a few short months, turned it into a profitable business that eventually captured the attention of Kylie Jenner.

Appearing on Shark Tank with her business partner and boyfriend Lawrence Lees, the NSW teen told the Sharks how her clothing brand came to be.

Paris Marchant and Lawrence Lees on Shark Tank. (Image via Twitter/SharkTank)

"Outcast was a name that really resonated with myself when I founded it," the now-18-year-old said.

"I was 15, and I was working full-time. I was suffering through really bad depression and anxiety at the time. And Outcast was kind of just my outlet.

"And within three months we were shipping so many parcels worldwide, and it just grew really quickly."

The brand really got its big break in October 2015 when Paris tagged Kylie Jenner in an Instagram post explaining how she hoped to inspire others with depression. The star shared it with her millions of followers.

"This is so inspiring and you are so amazing," Kylie wrote on the post to her Instagram account, which was liked by more than 230,000 times in four hours.

NEED. WANT. LOVE ✨ new California dreaming top! + good try denim skirt #outcastclothing

A post shared by Outcast Clothing ????????App Out Now (@__outcastclothing) on

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Since then, Paris and Lawrence have been building a loyal following of customers through social media.

"Our aim was to create a one-stop fashion destination, offering girls the convenience of fast delivery, extremely affordable clothing and fresh trends worldwide. Fast forward to today, and we've processed thousands of orders, and have shipped to over 45 countries," the pair said in their pitch.

"We have over 200,000 social media followers, proven sales and huge growth potential. We went from just a few high school dropouts to creating a fashion empire."

Unfortunately, none of the sharks went for the pair's offer of a 10 per cent stake in the business for $90,000 - but each were impressed with the couple's business and wished them well.

Want more? Shark Janine Allis dishes out the best career advice.

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