A TALENTED student from Thomas Hardye School proved he has bags of potential with a design that will be sent to fashion icon Lady Gaga.

Budding designer Liam Findlay, 16, has just received the finished product of a bag he designed for an international competition, while another one will be winging its way to the global pop sensation.

The self-confessed Lady Gaga fan, who is in Year 12 at the Dorchester school, had his design chosen ahead of others from around the world in the competition run by Laga Handbags, which supports those affected by the 2004 tsunami.

Liam said: “I came across the competition by chance and, being passionate about being a developing artist, gave it a go.

“The aim was to design a Gaga-inspired handbag which symbolises female empowerment.

“People could apply as many designs as they wished, so I made a few, but I had the most confidence in one – which is the one that one.

“I was very excited to have won, with it being such an excellent opportunity and because I’m such a big Lady Gaga fan.

“My design has now been made into a physical product that I have received and another is being made especially for Lady Gaga herself, who it shall be sent to.

“It would be amazing personally and for my career aspirations if she were to use the bag one day, as well as wonderful promotion for the wonderful Laga Handbags.”

Laga Handbags began as a workshop of 12 employees in Indonesia after the 2004 tsunami and the company grew in a bid to help more survivors rebuild their lives.

It now has more than 300 employees and received major publicity in the US when the bags appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show.

Liam said: “I enjoy the excitement of having won, but Laga is an inspiring organisation and so I hope to let the people of England know about them.”

Discover more about the brand at laga-handbags.com