A MUM has launched her own kids’ clothing brand – with her two-year-old as a model.

Becky Smart, from Christchurch, says her range of T-shirts for the under-fives was inspired by her son Austin and his friends.

Her business, Austin & Monkey, makes T-shirts which can be personalised with names, initials or ages.

She says the shirts are ethically sourced and made from 100 per cent cotton.

She said her own experience had shown parents were looking for quality, durability and washability, as well as tactile, comfortable designs.

She designed the limited edition range, called Safari Animals Go Wild, which was launched earlier this month and features five animal designs.

Austin & Monkey says the products have been “thoroughly tested by toddlers and made with mums and dads in mind”.

Beckly chose animals from bedtime stories popular with her son, such as The Tiger Who Came To Tea and Giraffes Can’t Dance.

Becky said: “Being a mum to a toddler brings many challenges, including daily battles over getting dressed.

“Having witnessed first-hand how much easier it is to dress a child in something they want to wear, I set about creating a series of designs aimed at pre-school children and the response has been fantastic.

“My two-year-old can identify each of the animals from his storybooks and tell me which one he wants to wear, which means one less battle in the mornings, and his friends all love them too.”

Austin & Monkey hand prints the products in small numbers from Becky’s workshop in Christchurch.

The business is part of the Fair Wear Foundation, which seeks to maintain healthy working conditions and payment of a living wage.

This feature forms part of our Monday Start-Up series. If you have a start-up business you would like to see featured, email businessnews@bournemouthecho.co.uk.