Youngest vendor at One Of A Kind show turns her doodles into fashion
When it comes to both her age and her merchandise, Leeloo Monleon isn't your average entrepreneur.
Leeloodles, established almost four years ago, sells clothing featuring the artist's Toronto-inspired designs.
At 11, she is the youngest vendor at the winter 2019 One Of A Kind trade show.
"People want to support me and I'm really happy about that," Leeloo told CBC Toronto Thursday.
Her shirts feature her own doodles, some of which include the Toronto Raptors, Maple Leafs and Blue Jays. They go for $35 each.
Those designs have garnered interest worldwide, specifically in Asia.
"Our t-shirts have travelled everywhere," she said.
Around 20,000 shirts sold
The business is a family affair; her sister, mom and dad are all involved, helping support Leeloo and her blossoming career.
"She picked up a pencil at a very young age," said Diana Tran, Leeloo's mother — or "momager."
Since then, Tran said, she has hoarded everything her daughter has drawn "since she learned how to scribble."
What started almost four years ago as a one-off t-shirt design for a family member turned into a full-fledged business.
"Her reach has spoken in art form and it's not just me being an honest mom," Tran said.
Now, Leeloo divides her time between school and her business, which she says she hopes to run for a long time.
Although she has been asked to participate in the One Of A Kind trade show for several years, this is Leeloo's first appearance, which she says has been "very fun, but very tiring" so far.
They are selling over 30 designs, some of which were created by Leeloo's younger sister Daenerys Monleon.
If she had to guess, Tran says Leeloodles has sold around 20,000 shirts to date.
"It's a little overwhelming, but people keep asking for them so I guess we'll keep producing if the demand keeps up," Tran said.
While most of the money goes toward Leeloo and her two sisters' futures, a portion goes to local causes such as LGBT Youthline, VIBE Arts and the Toronto Zoo.
"It's important to me to give to charity," Leeloo said. "I want to help causes and I think I can make a change."
Leeloodles is among dozens of Canadian vendors at the winter trade show, which started Nov. 21 and runs until Dec. 1.
Check out some of the other artists and their designs at this year's show.
