A HEREFORD business is celebrating global successes – including featuring on a popular TV show – after setting up in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.

Jessica Filbrandt and Danielle Barker said they made the life-changing decision to launch their business in April 2021, despite having only recently recovered from Covid themselves.

And after using every last penny that they had, they decided not to return to work but to invest their effort into developing a business they had always dreamt of – tie dye clothing.

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Queer Dye was then founded, clothing aimed at an LGBTQ+ market, a decision the pair said had proved to be worth it.

Danielle and Jessica dye everything by hand, and even share videos on social media of orders being designed, dyed and packed.

They said the nostalgic 90s feel of their clothing, with a personal and modern twist, made Queer Dye stand out from the start!.

Not only did they get orders from New York City on their launch day, it took the couple just four weeks to go global and be spotted by regular judge on Ru Paul's Drag Race Ross Matthews.

“We’ve always admired Ross in everything he does, and we couldn’t believe that he knew our names," they said.

"We wouldn’t be where we are today without him”.

After Ross posted a picture showcasing their Shady Lemon sweatshirt on his balcony in New York City, Queer Dye was spotted by Ru Paul’s Drag Race Season 11 Star Scarlet Envy, who asked for products.

“When Scarlet found us, we screamed with joy to the point where nothing came out," the pair, whose business is based in Hereford, said.

"The drag industry and everything it expresses and stands for inspires us.

"We’ve been fans of Ru Paul’s Drag Race since day one and we’ve always wanted to be involved in some way, so receiving Scarlet’s message was a dream come true."

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Queer Dye then began to work closely with My Best Judy, a world-leading drag queen merchandise company based in New York.

“We didn’t think it could get any better, but then Jan Sport also asked us for some merchandise," the pair added.

"She and Scarlet starred together on All Stars Season 6; it was an absolute honour to work with these queens!”

Many customers feel as though they’ve developed a friendship with the pair through social media, as Danielle and Jessica take the time to get to know their followers, by engaging and chatting with them.

These two women say they have huge plans for the future, despite the huge economic struggles caused by Covid.

They said “We’ve only just begun. In the last 8 months, we’ve achieved everything in our business plan, but we don’t intend on stopping there.

"We have massive goals – our next aim is to raise enough money to buy ourselves our very own studio."