A CLOTHING brand that started when its founder was in sixth form has gone on to be a success with the help of two reality TV stars.

Adam Baxter started Motive Clothing when he was in the first year of sixth form at St Peter’s School in Southbourne and began selling to his friends.

He went on to win endorsement from two Instagram celebrities – shortly before “influencers” on the social platform began charging thousands of pounds to endorse products.

Adam, 22, set up the label as a hobby as he was interested in man’s fashion and street style. His father, who runs the printed merchandising business Envista Branding, had good contacts in the fashion business.

The brand was originally focused on skater style and after success with friends, Adam decided to create a shopping cart website and begin selling online.

In 2016, a Rangers footballer who loved the clothing photographed himself on Instagram and sales spiked.

Marty McKenna from the TV programme Geordie Shore, who had 800,000 followers on Instagram wore his T-shirts and promoted them for free. He now charges hundred or thousands of pounds for a shot.

Reality TV star Stephen Bear, of Shipwrecked and Ex On the Beach, posted a picture of himself in Motive for £100. He now commands thousands of pounds for a picture on Instagram, where he has 1.3million followers.

Adam said: “Instagram marketing in 2016 and 2017 are worlds apart.

“Instagram has been completely monetised and the low-cost opportunities that existed in 2016 have gone. Influencers can now command high prices for a single shot and so I’m pleased that I started Motive Clothing when I did.”

Adam started a degree in business studies with marketing at Bournemouth University. But after receiving a 2:1 and a first in his first year exams, he quit university to concentrate on the business as well as working in his father’s company.

He has introduced an “urban and clean cut” autumn-winter range of T-shirts, hoodies, bomber jackets, trucker caps and flight bags. Many of the men’s and street style magazines have featured Motive clothing.