Michelle Keegan might be best known for acting, but she’s also quite the fashionista, with fans regularly complimenting her conveyor belt of chic looks. Now, after welcoming her daughter Palma in March, sources tell heat that Michelle has been inspired to launch a fashion line for little ones.
‘Michelle has been thinking about a baby clothing range for a while, but since having Palma, it suddenly feels like the perfect time,’ we’re told. ‘There’s been a lot of interest from retailers – big money is being thrown around and this could be a huge deal. This has been a dream of hers for years and becoming a mum has only made her feel more inspired.’
Michelle is no stranger to the fashion world, having had a brand partnership with Very since 2017. She also founded her own swimwear brand Orfila Bee, and joined forces with husband Mark Wright on athleisure range Aytee7. The style industry is clearly a passion of Michelle’s, and she’s spoken at length about her fashion collaborations. ‘I love the creative freedom that comes with designing a collection,’ she once said, further revealing in May, ‘I wouldn’t call myself a style icon, but it honestly means the world to see people wearing the collection. I spot it on the street all the time and sometimes I’ll ask for a photo! I get so excited.’
Our insider adds, ‘Michelle’s fashion range has done incredibly well, so moving into babywear makes sense. It’s a natural next step. She and Mark are exploring different deal structures now, but Michelle’s keen to find the right fit, not just the biggest cheque. She wants the range to feel personal, practical and stylish – something parents would love.’
Michelle and Mark, both 38, welcomed daughter Palma on 6 March, after nearly 10 years of marriage. They first started dating at the end of 2012 and were engaged by September 2013, before tying the knot in May 2015.
They have both been in the public eye for a large part of their lives, with Michelle starting her career playing Tina McIntyre on Coronation Street in 2008 at the age of 20, and Mark finding fame on TOWIE in 2010.
A source previously told heat that Palma is already showing signs she ‘could be a little performer’ and follow in her parents’ showbiz footsteps, with friends and family even questioning if the couple would consider signing her up to an agency. But our source said the idea of Palma being in the public eye is ‘terrifying’ for Michelle, saying, ‘She wants to protect Palma at all costs and give her somewhat of a normal upbringing.’
Despite her fame, Michelle knows the importance of staying grounded, as she previously said, ‘Mark and I feel lucky to work in this industry, but it doesn’t dominate our lives. We dip our toe in, then step back to normal life. It’s very boring and probably quite basic, but that’s how I like it.’
So, despite the next step in Michelle’s career, we won’t see Palma model the line herself, and we’re told that there is no room for debate when it comes to keeping their firstborn away from the project.
A source says, ‘There’s been some serious stipulations and Michelle and Mark have decided they are definitely keeping Palma out of the spotlight. Using her in any campaigns is absolutely off the table. They are completely aligned on this. Privacy is everything to them when it comes to their child. They’re happy to share parts of their life, but not her.'
