CELEBS FALL FOR YET ANOTHER ONLINE UPSTART

A LEOPARD-print dress worn by TV presenter Fearne Cotton ( pictured) has sparked a sales surge at one of Britain’s online fashion retailers.

Sosandar saw sales jump by 84pc to £861,443 in the nine months to December 31 as its ranges proved popular with celebrities such as Denise van Outen and Holly Willoughby.

The firm was launched by former Look magazine editors Ali Hall and Julie Lavington in 2015, and listed on the London Stock Exchange at the end of last year.

Losses soared 80pc during the period to £5.1m as it invested in products and marketing. But Hall said the investment had helped it to broaden its range and restock faster when they sell out.

‘The leopard-print dress that was worn by Fearne Cotton has been our bestseller to date – leopard-print has been very good for the brand,’ she said. ‘Celebrity endorsement has gone from strength to strength. The ones that have worn us keep on wearing us and are becoming brand ambassadors in that sense.’