ADOLESCENT youth often get a bad rap, but two Launceston boys are taking a proactive approach in pursuing their passion.
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Launceston College students Mackenzie Nason and Bailey Parker, both 17, have started their own streetwear brand, Vent Apparel.
The pair have been best mates since they met in primary school and now design and sell their own head wear, shirts and jumpers.
"We started planning about seven months ago and we actually released our stuff on October 1," Mackenzie said.
Bailey added: "We started off selling locally to our friends and that went quite well before we officially launched.
"We are looking to release with the season so in the future stuff like singlets and, depending on how it goes, we could even get into accessories."
Mackenzie does a majority of the design work while Bailey manages sales.
Vent Apparel T-shirts are produced in Australia while their head wear is manufactured in the US.
"We have just tried to keep it fairly simple and effective, so I have taken elements from brands I like and designed them to what I think other people would like," Mackenzie said.
"I've done graphic designing since I was about 10 and I have only recently combined it with my passion for fashion.
"I heard the word vent and liked the meaning behind it . . . and there are a lot of designs you can do with it as it is a powerful word."
For now Vent Apparel is only selling online, but the former Riverside High School students have aspirations to continue to grow the brand and one day offer goods direct from a Launceston shop front.
The boys market their product on social media such as Instagram and through their website www.ventapparel.com