Budding fashion designer Naomi Mengha has got the backing to make her dream a reality.

The 27-year-old was one of five people to receive a £1,500 grant for her business idea, pitched Dragons’ Den-style to East Thames Group for the housing group’s East Entrepreneur scheme.

The fashion graduate, from Stratford, will take the next step by registering her business, Luciano Couture, after proving to the judges she has what it takes.

Said Naomi: “I always wanted to start my own business but didn’t have the opportunity, or just didn’t have much confidence in my designs.

“But after a while, from one person having faith in me I continued from there.”

The Ravensbourne University alumni said she requested the grant to buy machines and equipment to set up her business and is looking to officially start up later this year.

After a few work placements, Naomi’s passion for making clothes kick started with her first customer, a girl from her church who wanted a prom dress. “Since then I’ve been making clothes using my friend’s sewing machine,” she said.

Proving her dedication, borrowing the machine means round trips to Seven Sisters in Tottenham.