Teen’s firm exports to nine countries

A TEENAGE entrepreneur who has made Christian Laboutin-style shoes affordable to fashionistas of all budgets is now exporting her “secret soles” to nine different countries.

Rosso Solini, the Italian for “red sole”, was invented by Tara Haughton, 16, from Kilcullen, Co Kildare.

The student, who is managing director of the company, won a Student Enterprise Award earlier this year.

Tara’s “secret soles” retail at €15 and promise to transform any high heel shoe into a designer look.

“The product has been a massive hit in America particularly since it was picked up by Perez Hilton on his blog. We are also about to do a big deal with China,” she said.

Tara’s father Chris, who lost his job two years ago, now works full time for his daughter.

They were in Adare, Co Limerick, yesterday for the launch of the Adare village festival, which takes place next month.