A textile design graduate who created a range of ski jackets to improve safety on the slopes has won a national ‘grand ideas’ award.

Paula Fox came first in the public vote of the Shell LiveWIRE Grand Ideas Awards and has won £1000 and free PR for her business.

As reported in the Advertiser last week, the 25-year-old initially created ‘PonyoSquid Ski Apparel’ as a final year project at university but has since taken it forward as a proper business.

Paula, who hails from Sauchie, was inspired to design a range of colour-coded ski jackets to improve safety and visibility after she suffered a skiing accident in France.

Speaking to the Advertiser following the win, she said, “Thanks to the huge amount of people who voted for me and the great support and shares from friendly to complete strangers. Winning the award is just the first stepping stone since being rated by Cool Hunting (arts and culture website). As some of my friends have already said I have to continue ‘smashing everything like a boss’ to make give the brand a real chance.” The win means Paula can now enter the Shell LiveWIRE Grand Ideas Awards Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Elsewhere she has also been shortlisted for the Nacue Varsity Awards in the Product Design Category.

She continued, “This [Shell LiveWIRE] award is not only money but an indication of how vital and viable my business ideas are – from graduation to winning an award where the competition was so high. [I was up against] business experts who have years of experience and so many other great ideas. It gives me the confidence that being an entrepreneur isn’t such a daunting gamble of my future.”