A former model and beauty pageant competitor has transformed what was her start-up business into an internationally known brand.

Lucie Brassington is 27-years-old, but already has her company, Miss Photogenic, featured in Fenwick's and John Lewis stores across the UK.

The company's mission is to bring back the glamorous, vintage side of a bygone era and Lucie has built each section of her creation from scratch with the help of her family - who nearly all work for the business.

Lucie's vision for the company began when she was modelling and became immersed in different sectors of the beauty industry.

She said: "It was my dream to have my own brand, so when I became involved in the business side of the beauty world I thought what a perfect time to start making my dream come true.

"It's all about networking in this industry, meeting the right people and pitching the right ideas."

Lucie trained as a designer at KLC School of Design in Chelsea, London and uses her creative side to produce all of the products for Miss Photogenic.

Taking her love for all things glamorous along with her experience and inspiration from some of the fashion capitals of the world, she decided to create a premium brand that would encompass all these aspects to make women feel gorgeous and feminine.

The products take large inspiration from Lucie's love of the Deco era coupled with today's contemporary style.

The young entrepreneur from Tunbridge Wells, added: "I've always been quite creative, and I decided to apply this to the fashion side of things.

"My company is run in house like a fashion label, at least six members of my family work in different sectors like finance, design, promotion and so on."

Lucie's sister, Victoria, 22, works for the company designing lingerie.

Miss Photogenic currently sells swimwear, lingerie, nightwear and a range of beauty products, but Lucie plans to release a fragrance and extend the beauty side of the organisation in the near future.

"I have so many plans, the brand has come so far but I'm just getting started. I live and breathe this, so I'm not stopping yet.

"I've always wanted to have a global multi-faceted design and I'm trying to build on the company as a whole at the moment."

In a normal business day, Lucie could be travelling to events in London, writing for the brand's monthly magazine, reviewing designs, sealing deals or working on her website.

She said sometimes it is very difficult to balance her social and business life: "I definitely find it hard to balance aspects of my life but if you want to work for yourself though you need self motivation.

"No one else is going to do the job for you, and I'm trying to build the long-term value of the company, so it's stressful all the time - but definitely worth it.

"If I have one message, it's that if you are passionate about something you have to follow it and keep going, you'll get there if you want it enough."

For more information and products, visit: http://www.missphotogeniconline.com/