Teen launches mental health clothing line in memory of father

A 14-year-old from Manchester whose dad passed away suddenly three-and-a half years ago while out running has set up a clothing line promoting mental health awareness.

Father-of-two Andrew Cohen was out jogging in December 2017 when he suffered a heart attack, aged 41. Daughter Orly, who is in year 10 at Alderley Edge School for Girls in Cheshire, came up with the OC Designs clothes line during lockdown, with some of the proceeds going towards a charity the family are in the process of setting up in her dad’s name.

Orly said: “I had wanted to start a business for a while and during home-school I was looking for things to do so it seemed like the right time.” All of Orly’s designs promote mental health and well-being, which she says has in part been inspired by her experience.

“My calm design for example, which has ‘breathe and breathe out’ on the sleeve is a reminder that sometimes we all need to take a moment. And thinking about my dad, it makes me want to just breathe and take a moment.” She acknowledges that home school was hard for a lot of people’s mental health. “I know people who have struggled (with their mental health) a lot, especially during Covid.”

Orly, who is studying Art and DT as part of her GCSEs draws the designs on an iPad and has a machine that prints them onto the clothes. She sells them through Instagram.

Orly lives with her mum Hannah and younger brother Brody. Andrew Cohen was well-known in the South Manchester Sports community for his long-standing association with the South Manchester Sports Club.

He was influential in ensuring the Club is where it is today, and the family are in the process of setting up The Andrew Cohen Charity to raise money for the Club, which some of the proceeds from Orly’s creations will go towards.

Orly says: “My dad was an accountant so I guess my interest in business came from him and I think he would like that I was doing this and using my business brain.”

Instagram: @ocdesignns