‘I want to build an empire’: Cape Breton teen finds success with western wear clothing line

Cape Breton teen Annah-Clare MacLean has her own clothing line LEGIT Western Wear. (CTV Atlantic / Ryan MacDonald)

A Grade 9 student from Big Bras d’Or, N.S., has launched her own clothing and apparel line.

Annah-Clare MacLean says she got the idea to start LEGIT Western Wear when she noticed a lack of that type of clothing where she lives.

The 15-year-old, who has been involved with horses and riding her entire life, says her aim is to offer stylish clothes people can wear on the ranch – or anywhere else.

“You could go to the barn and wear it, but then you could go to town and it would still look nice and fashionable,” said MacLean.

Stevi Jardine is one of MacLean’s riding coaches. She has purchased some of the teen’s apparel and says she’s impressed by the quality of the product and her entrepreneurial spirit.

“It’s pretty legit, like the name,” said Jardine. “I like the way it looks, but it’s also really durable. It’s not like you wash it a couple of times and you’ve got to throw it away. You can wash it and wash it and wash it and it’s still like brand new.”

In late September, a four-day pro rodeo festival is scheduled to come to Centre 200 in Sydney, N.S. MacLean will attend the event as a vendor and says the festival is a great opportunity for sales and exposure, in addition to her clothing line’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

“I said it yesterday on the radio and I’ll say it again – I want to build an empire,” said MacLean.

September will mark two years of selling her apparel. MacLean credits her parents, who both run small businesses, with helping her along the way.

While she is pleased with her success so far, the self-described cowgirl has big dreams for when she gets older.

“I want to have like a huge, huge store with clothes and saddles and everything,” said MacLean. “Like as far as the eye can see.”

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