Fashion is a fickle old game. Brands come and go and trends can be gone in the blink of an eye. This means for one to be involved in it, they have to be on the ball. They have to know what will sell and what won’t. As well, the ability to spot a timeless piece is a rare thing nowadays.

Things like that are what separate good sellers, from amazing businessmen. That is what Ellis Thornton has managed to do with his own brand @LdsCreps. The 21 year old from Leeds initially started it as a hobby to make some money on the side.

He has since seen profits skyrocket.

LdsCreps focuses on bringing high end fashion to those who may not be able to afford the retail, or want to bag themselves a steal. Scrolling through the instagram you’ll find a plethora of deals; prada tracksuits £300 than RRP or Givenchy t-shirts £150 off.

It is no surprise to see why it is such a rising and successful brand right now.

Starting the business in his time at Roundhay High school in Leeds, it is something that he carried with him all the way through to university. Whilst studying International Relations at Loughborough, he seized the chance to study abroad in Germany.

For many people, this would be something possibly detrimental to their business. However it granted him the opportunity to build relationships overseas and manage a business from afar.

Whilst in Germany, the advent of Klarna provided people with the ability to pay for clothes on credit through a payment plan lasting a few months. Now, paying on credit is nothing new, but it is within the streetwear and fashion community.

Paying on credit however, requires a good credit score, and quite frankly this is just not something everybody has. LdsCreps grants it’s customers the chance to pay on credit through cash. Meaning, regardless of your situation, you can still use this method of payment.

That level of trust between buyer and seller is not available elsewhere and it’s something Ellis believes is necessary. Growing up in Leeds, and especially going to Roundhay High School, one would gain a perspective on life many others won’t.

It is a melting pot of communities, and it’s catchment area sees places like Harehills and Chapeltown mixed in with areas like Roundhay and Gledhow.

The former two are impoverished and have higher crime rates than the latter, and many there just simply aren’t given the opportunities others are.

This is why LdsCreps has become so esteemed. The faith Ellis holds in his customers is unparalleled but also reciprocated, and he’s able to help source items many others wouldn’t be able to.

It doesn’t just stop with the local areas, but stretches out to around the world and celebrities too. Rappers like J Dot, Polo and 187 Mob have had multiple pieces sourced, as well as Potter Payper, one of the most critically acclaimed in the UK right now.

These links have been made through hard work and determination. Household names/faces like Ashley Walters have shown love for the brand, further enhancing Ellis’ reputation.

Collaborative efforts with Barbados based 246 Sneakers show his initiative, as he’s able to provide his excellent sourcing skills for others worldwide. In doing so, the International

Relations degree is already being put to use before graduation.

It is not easy in today’s world to set up a business, especially by yourself. But this is what Ellis Thornton has been able to do. Utilising the tools at his disposal perfectly; social media, a business mind and a keen eye for fashion, he’s created a brand perfectly calibrated to takeover.

Written by Rohan Parmar