Zoë's winning formula

DUBLIN-BORN designer Zoë Jordan’s new collection is inspired by Amelia Earhart, who said: “The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers”.

The quote has personal significance for Jordan, daughter of Grand Prix founder Eddie, who left a high-flying career in the City to start a luxury fashion brand in 2007. Just five years later, her show is a hot ticket at London Fashion Week and Thandie Newton, Keira Knightley and Jessica Biel are fans. Her eponymous label is stocked in 12 countries and she plans to open her first store by the end of next year.

The former Credit Suisse bond trader has no formal fashion training but was determined not to let fear of the unknown quash her dream. “I think the City and the lifestyle and security it [traditionally] offers can suck you in. I was well looked after, and with the promise of a yearly bonus I knew it would get incredibly difficult to leave. Once I knew I wanted to, I didn’t think about it too much. There were always going to be reasons not to try. It was quite scary to make the leap, but I would recommend it to anyone.”