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I get hundreds of people checking my Vinted thanks to iconic 'model’

27 June 2024 , 12:40
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Aimee hopes David doesn
Aimee hopes David doesn't coming knocking for commission

SAVVY Aimee Watson modelled her clothes on a cardboard cutout of the veteran TV star, and now she wants to thank him in person.

Aimee, 33, noticed items she was trying to sell online were not gaining enough views - with shoppers only buying around one a week.

Aimee with her superstar model eiqetiqhtirrprw
Aimee with her superstar modelCredit: SWNS
Sir David in his natural habitat
Sir David in his natural habitatCredit: Atlantic Productions

She came up with the idea of featuring a cardboard cutout of Sir David, 98, on her listings after she jokingly slung an item over it - and realised it could work.

Now business is booming - Aimee sells up to 15 of her bags, jumpers and shirts in a week and says her views have soared by hundreds.

After contacting David Attenborough in 2001 as part of a school project and never hearing back, Aimee says she would love him to reach out now.

Putin accused of surrounding himself with same 'actors' at series of eventsPutin accused of surrounding himself with same 'actors' at series of events

She would like to thank him for boosting her bank balance, since she "couldn’t have done it without him".

Aimee, a teacher, from Rowley, Staffordshire, said: "I admire David Attenborough so much.

"When he sees how good the items look on him, he’ll want to buy them for himself.

“He's helped me sell a lot of items.

"I've had around 80 comments from people mentioning David, they have said it's made them laugh and made their day.

"I've always said if it can put a smile on just one person's face then it's been a good thing."

Aimee set up her Vinted shop three weeks ago after deciding to have a clear-out of her house.

At first, her items would only get a maximum of three views each and no real interest.

"I posted a few items and I kept refreshing to see if anyone had viewed them," she said. But there was nothing.

"I looked at other items and saw others had so many views and favourites, I was conscious the longer you leave your items the harder it becomes to sell them."

Edinburgh Hogmanay revellers stuck in queues for TWO HOURS in torrential rainEdinburgh Hogmanay revellers stuck in queues for TWO HOURS in torrential rain

Aimee's brother, Christopher, 29, thought it would be funny to gift the cardboard cutout to her for Christmas three years ago.

Aimee has loved the broadcaster since she was six years old. Her introduction to him was after she watched one of his BBC documentaries - and she quickly became a big fan.

She even wrote to him in 2001- while she was in year seven - but never heard back.

Luckily her husband Adam is happy to shared their home with another man. Although after their wedding, the life size cutout was permanently relocated to Aimee and Adam's home gym.

"David has usually been a laugh at home and often looks out of windows," added Aimee.

"We have had delivery drivers ask to take photos of him because of how funny it is.

"I went into my home gym and saw David 'standing' there and thought it wouldn't harm to try."

On a whim, Aimee decided to dress the cardboard cutout in one of her shirts. She noticed it looked like it fit - so took a photo and posted it on Vinted.

Her views shot up almost instantly, and so she has carried on using him for each item she wanted to sell.

"It was to get noticed originally,” she explained. "If I sell a jumper that is similar to others, using his photo makes people stop in their tracks and check it out."

In just 24 hours, one of her items ended up with around 80 messages.

She said: "People online have said it made their day and gave them a good laugh.

"Another woman said I was an icon - and called it a shrine."

Aimee and Adam have already made enough to fund their honeymoon to Mauritius in August.

And now she now wants to thank David personally for helping her shift her unwanted clothing.

"I'd have to thank him, it would be rude not to," she said. "Hopefully he wouldn't want any commission!

"Even though I wasn't able to get a reply as a child, hopefully, I will get a response now.

"I hope it makes him smile - and he'd be all for recycling clothes, and saving the planet."

Aimee was delighted when her pics appeared to fit the life size cutout
Aimee was delighted when her pics appeared to fit the life size cutoutCredit: SWNS
David is great model for accessories
David is great model for accessoriesCredit: SWNS
He even looks good in summer dresses
He even looks good in summer dressesCredit: SWNS
Aimee hopes Sir David will reach out
Aimee hopes Sir David will reach outCredit: SWNS
The famous model has boosted sales
The famous model has boosted salesCredit: SWNS

Nadia Cohen

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