From Kilobytes to Killer Heels

Three years ago, self-confessed computer geek Helen Hackwell knew as much about fashion as Ugly Betty. Now she is on the verge of revolutionising the industry.

The 27-year-old from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, is the brains behind The ?It? Guide ? a website which 11,000 eager shoppers visit to mimic the latest celebrity looks every month.

It?s been a rollercoaster journey for web design expert Helen, who admitted she couldn?t tell her Primark from her Prada when the site launched in June 2008.

She said: ?I was pretty clueless when it came to fashion. All I was interested in was computers and the internet. I?d been racking my brains for an idea for a new website when I decided I fancied a challenge.

?Most of the people who run fashion websites know a lot about clothes, but not how to be successful online. I knew I could carve out my own niche. But that meant I had to start learning about fashion ? and fast.?

Helen, who runs The ?It? Guide in her spare time, immediately began trawling through magazines and scouring the internet for the latest hot looks worn by famous names from around the globe.

After just a few months, the website was making up to �4,000 a month as fashion fans flocked to buy their idols? clothes, shoes and accessories.

She even attracted praise from industry insiders ? receiving a prestigious nomination for an a4uAward as the best new entrant into the world of affiliate marketing.

Before she knew it, she had a front-row seat at London Fashion Week, was drinking champagne with fashion giants such as Net-A-Porter boss Natalie Massenet and being showered with free goodies from the biggest designers in the business.

Helen said: ?It?s been brilliant. Fashion is now a huge part of my life and I feel great about it. I love the way people can express their personality through the clothes they wear.

?But I?ve only just started. I?m using Facebook and Twitter to bring more people to The ?It? Guide and I want to make it the best place in the world to buy the latest looks.

?I?ve gone from caring about kilobytes to loving my killer heels.?

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