Georgina is a dancer and is overcoming many obstacles to pursue her passion in the arts.

She studied her A-Levels at Merthyr College and went on to graduate from Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance and has continued to maintain her dance skills over lockdown whilst also developing her other love of vintage clothing and music genres from the1950s and 1960s.

Georgina has always been inspired by vintage clothing and the music that goes with it. With the help and support of Christine Bissex of Merthyr College, Georgina won a Tafflab award to provide some financial help and mentorship along with Christine’s on-going support to start her business ‘Velvet Sunflower’. Georgina opened a shop in Merthyr Tydfil Indoor Market selling clothing and records from the 1950s, 60sand 70s. She was doing really well and had a great response from customers both in-store and online.

The lockdown has forced her to close the shop for now. Georgina, undeterred and between keeping up her dance training has continued to sell on social media, eBay and

Etsy. Velvet Sunflower has enjoyed great success. Georgina says, ‘Velvet Sunflower has introduced some of the younger generation to the 1950s/60s/70s and has brought back memories for older generations. There are also a lot of people starting to shop sustainably at the moment and buying vintage is a great way to do that. The tailoring and material make every piece of vintage clothing so much more unique and special than what the fast fashion brands are producing.’

Georgina can’t wait until dance companies are up and running again. Meanwhile, she has been able to develop her other passions for music and fashion in developing ‘Velvet Sunflower’.

Georgina said, ‘although I have been disappointed not being able to perform since graduating, I have realised over these past months that it is good to embrace different opportunities. I have enjoyed setting up Velvet Sunflower and learning about what people like about vintage clothes and why they buy them. I have lots of people sending me pictures of them wearing the clothes they bought from me. It’s lovely to see customers so happy and in love with their new pieces of vintage clothing that already have such a history behind them.’