13-year-old Leighton Need started his own clothing line, Mountain Eclipse, after asking his grandad for a small investment last year
13-year-old Leighton Need started his own clothing line, Mountain Eclipse, after asking his grandad for a small investment last year
A 13-year-old boy who created a sportswear brand last year now has people asking for his products in the shop, while he’s dropped off deliveries to several local celebrities. Leighton Need from West Derby started his own company, Mountain Eclipse, after asking his grandad for a small investment in October 2023.
Since then, the clothes line has gained over 7,000 followers on Instagram and has its own website. In November, Huyton Village’s Mersey Sports began selling Leighton’s clothes.
Comedian Paul Smith has been seen wearing the brand, and it has been referenced by several famous faces, including O Beach owner and brother of Gary, Wayne Lineker along with comedian Adam Rowe. Leighton’s dad Craig previously said: “I take him out on deliveries and we even delivered to (DJ) Lee Butler.”
He added: “Leighton’s always drawn and designed. One day he came to me and said that he wanted to make his own brand, so I told him to go for it.
“He went to his grandad and asked for a £100 investment – which he gave him. He went and bought some caps and found an embroidery shop. He came up with the logo and arranged for 12 hats to be made, which all sold out in a day to his mates and people he knows.”
The then 12-year-old Leighton put the money he initially made into more hats, hoodies and t-shirts, and has grown the brand from there. For the first three weeks after Mersey Sports decided to begin selling Mountain Eclipse’s clothes, it sold 150 items.
A year on from creating the sportswear label, Leighton spoke to the ECHO. He said: “I still can’t really believe it sometimes. It’s always great going to celebrities houses to drop stuff off in person but having my own website being so popular and finally getting some full ranges in an established shop like Mersey Sports is massive.
“It has sold out numerous times already with people asking in store for my brand. It’s amazing.
“It has been great since last year. I have my own website and the following and support on Instagram has been amazing. Local brands like Lost Soles and Tribal society have given me guidance – which is just our city all over for you.”
Leighton was even invited into the Montirex offices. He added: “Danny (Yuen) and the team were really nice.
“We had a meeting and he shared a lot of advice and contacts to help me to the next level. I know I want to do this full-time after school, now that I have seen how it can turn out.”
On the subject of school, the teen entrepreneur said: “Teachers joke they want some of my stuff but I joke back that it would ruin the look of the brand if a teacher wore it. My school are very proud of me and my family have helped me a lot.”
So, after such a successful first year, what is next for Mountain Eclipse? Leighton said: “I hope to keep building as I have done and I am now working with new international manufacturers that I have been introduced to. My goal is quality at affordable prices.”
Leighton’s clothing line can be found on Instagram @mountain_eclipse_clothing. You can visit his website by clicking here.
