DESPITE not being very big or very busy, Monmouthshire has never failed to inspire creative minds, and launch some big names.

Joining the list of Chepstow success stories is 23-year-old Lucie Halley, who has made the journey from Chepstow Comprehensive School, to a career fashion designing in New York city.

Lucie has left behind the Danes area of town and is currently designing for fashion label American Eagle and living in NY.

Having studied at Chepstow Comprehensive School, Lucie moved on to Filton College before gaining a first-class degree in fashion design at Kingston University.

"I was never the model student at school," said Lucie. "I was always getting into trouble, and never taking my studies seriously, expect for art, in that I was a straight A student.

"I'm sure my teachers at Chepstow would agree that I was not the book smart type of girl. I later found out that I am incredibly dyslexic which made sense of my frustrations and need to rebel at school.

"I decided to leave school and go to Bristol Filton college where I studied art. We experimented in many different creative fields, fashion quickly became the obvious choice for me as it combined my love of drawing, colour and 3D design."

Lucie began her brand, Lucie Halley Boy, after facing difficulties finding work upon leaving university.

"After being offered a few unpaid internships I decided to use the time to start up my own label," she said.

"The label was initially a diffusion line which took inspiration from the hand dyed prints of my catwalk collection. They were then combined with wearable pieces. To my surprise people really loved it and I was able to carry on getting the press and exposure I first received at Graduate Fashion Week where my graduate collection was shown.

"I spent every minute working hard and developing my own style, marketing my brand and using the social media to broadcast my work around the globe."

Lucie's trademark fabric is tie-dyed using powder dyes and inks left out in the rain.

"My dyeing came round due to my budget. I always wanted to use digital printing, but unfortunately, I just couldn't afford it. So I decided to use the dyeing which I had been playing around with but never imagined it would be good enough to compete with digital prints. However, once the fabrics had been cut out my dyeing came to life and my style was born."

After university, Lucie decided to make the leap and try her luck across the pond.

"I arrived in New York with my portfolio in hand and no money in my pocket. I used the internet to find somewhere to stay, and knocked on doors to see if I could spark any interest.

"Amazingly I was offered a job on my second day in the city. I spent the next two weeks pushing my line there, doing photo shoots and networking. I met some amazing people and knew that this is where I should take my next step."

Having begun her American dream, Lucie has this advice for those thinking big.

"Coming from such a small Welsh town, it can be hard to imagine what else is out there beyond the Severn bridge.

"It's hard to know what and who you want to be at such a young age, I can't speak for everyone but my advice is to follow what you are really passionate about and don't be afraid to be different.

"Dreams really can come true but you have to work hard to get them, nobody is going to give them to you but yourself.

"Despite being a trouble-maker at school, in my last couple of years I really tried to turn myself around and take it more seriously. I basically grew up and realised that if you don't work hard and get the grades it can really hold you back in life. Always push to be the best you can be and use the fire that you have inside for passion."

She may be a long way from home, but Lucie still has fond feelings for her home town: "Chepstow can be a little sleepy at times, but it also gives you a great sense of community, friendship and family.

"I will always have a place in my heart for that small town and it will always be the place that raised me."

It seems we should keep our eyes out for Lucie in the future, as the designer has just started working on her latest collection and has big hopes for her career: "My plan is to continue to work on my label and one day return to the UK where I can start up own studio and run a successful design house," she said.

Chepstowlians, watch this space.