"Shoemaking is my passion." Janet Middleton exclaims, matter of factly "I couldn’t ever work with Chinese factories -I just couldn’t bear to loose out on the quality of a finished product that I can always cast my eye over..plus there is the environmental issues..and not to mention the damage it is doing to the British economy…"

I pause, stop for breath and check my hearing isn’t deceiving me before stumbling to the next question- could this really be the entrepreneurial founder of Starchild, a brand which in its six year infancy has become the trendiest children’s label on the market? The same young woman who had lived a life most girls would die for- a rags to riches tale of a young apprentice working for £25 a week, whose sculpted lasts and beautifully crafted pattern cuttings and designs gained her a comfortable place in the heart of many a designer and style icon?

But it is indeed the one and only Janet Middleton who sits beside me, casually self confessing that her success is down to nothing simpler than keeping the zeal for shoemaking, staying close to her family and planting two feet firmly on the ground.

"We are like one big family in the factory" she explains "I don’t feel like their boss, we all work together as like minded individuals. I feel proud that I am giving so many people a good wage to take home at the end of each week."

The Starchild brand itself is based on the philosophy of traditional craftsmanship, relying on hand made designs, the finest Italian leathers and original colours and patterns to give them the edge fashion -and all from a small traditional Leicestershire factory. It is, seemingly, very much a product of its founder, which has sat well with the buying public.

Producing over 200 styles so far, young footwear fans and their parents can always find a particular style to suit them- giving children the one thing they really crave- an identity of their very own.

Middleton's latest role in pioneering children’s footwear was almost written in the stars. Footwear is more to Middleton than an occupation- it is a way of life. Her path to success took her from cobbler’s assistant to working with the likes of Vivienne Westwood and designing for superstars Prince and Boy George. She experienced a stint in fetish footwear, working with the same factory promoted in the famous film "Kinky Boots" before giving birth to her first child, a baby boy.

"Having children was the start, your outlook completely changes and rather than look at fashion as a whole you start to look closer at the market, the childrenswear market had come a long way since my days"

The inspiration to start up alone in the market came whilst pushing her newborn in his pram in a pair of her own designed shoes she had made for him.

"Everywhere I went people stopped me and commented on the shoes." She explains "I began to sell the shoes at craft fairs and festivals and local childrens shop under my previous label ‘Inchblue’"

A self confessed hippy, with a surprisingly laid back demeanour, it was Middleton’s ability to put her problems aside and concentrate on the rest of her life that gave her the upper hand. She started Starchild and has never once glanced over her shoulder.

"Upon launch the integrity of the designs and quality of the final product prevailed." she beams "We were snapped up by top stockists nationwide, department stores, boutiques, and stylish independents."

It was in one of these stylish independent stores in London when Liam Gallagher purchased a pair of the retro "Mod" collection from the Starchild range for his son.

"I got a call from one of our top stockists, but heard an unfamiliar voice at the other end." She giggles: "It was Liam Gallagher. He liked the shoes so much he wanted the same pair scaled up to his size! If they are cool enough for a Gallagher brother I think my mission has been suitably accomplished."

The successes don’t stop there- Since Starchild’s humble beginnings, the label has been bought by the likes of Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow and the Beckhams, and the brand is currently stocked in over 600 outlets worldwide including Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges.

The current collection stands strong to be a key contender this season, featuring colourful well matched leather with a real vintage, retro feel and a tasty "sweetie" theme, influenced by her own children.

And how, I ponder, does Middleton manage to juggle her family life and high flying career?

"I love my kids so much and it is hard sometimes." She confesses: "The greatest thing about this job is that I can take my own kids with me to all of the places that inspire me- festivals, music events, trips abroad..they really enjoy it all. I have worked hard to get here, and no matter what happens, I will stick with it."

It is with the philosophy of, "Sticking with a great work ethic, sticking by her morals to keep production here in the UK and sticking with her own eccentric designs that Middleton created her own brand of cool."

"In reality, I am so happy with what I have achieved so far... I am not worried if the company does not expand much further. Sadly there are no UK factories left to work with and I will not budge on my opinions of working with factories abroad."

However, this key international player is perhaps too modest for her own good. "I am still very passionate about what I do" she says coyly. "Who knows what might happen in the future."

We say watch this space!

For more information on Starchild please contact 01509 817601 or visit www.starchildshoes.co.uk

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