A fashion designer is hoping to strike deals this year with international retailers after launching her own ethical clothing range.

Former Leicester College student Helen Howe has launched Freedom Fashion, designing high-quality, ethically-produced clothing.

She said: "Britain has a strong textile heritage and hopefully Freedom Fashion can become a big name in that history, alongside Leicester."

The 29-year-old, who is originally from Earl Shilton but now lives in Barrow-upon-Soar, studied for a BTEC in fashion.

She then worked for businesses such as Richard Roberts and others supplying chains such as Next, Top Shop and George.

Last October she decided to go it alone and secured nine months rent-free office space at Phoenix Square, Leicester, on a scheme called the Creative Enterprise Hub supported with EU cash.

On May 3, she moved to the LCB Depot in Rutland Street – managed by the same team – with two part-time staff.

It means she gets support from the management team and informal help from neighbouring firms.

Her company is designing about 100 lines of clothes for spring/summer 2012.

The big push now is to promote them to potential retailers.

She said: "We are an ethical fashion company – offering a premium brand and everything we do is produced locally in Leicester – by AK Studios – and Nottingham, who provide the ethical standards that we expect."

The business will not deal with anyone who could be accused of sweat shop conditions or who fails to pay staff a living wage.

She said: "With the support of the business team at LCB Depot I've gone from strength to strength and can't wait until the release of my first range in the high street."

A spokeswoman for LCB Depot and Phoenix Square Workspaces said: "Freedom Fashion has seen a resurgence in demand for locally made items using ethical and environmentally friendly practices.

"Helen is taking on staff and plans to expand quickly, supporting Leicester's highly skilled textile factories."

Freedom Fashion is exhibiting with the UK Trade and Investment export champions in France next month where she hopes to secure foreign orders.