A Fort McKay youth is turning his passion for design into his own apparel company.

15-year-old Colt Gladue started designing clothes under his brand “Bleach Doggy” last year – with a focus on making handmade, unique clothing for his friends.

He says they use a bleach-spray process to create their unique designs.

“We get the hoodies and then we get them lined up and ready to bleach them. We bleach, design them, fold them in different ways and get different designs, and after we bleach them we wash them twice and then we go put them to the embroidery.”

Gladue says he’s been getting a lot of positive feedback from kids and adults.

“Say it’s comfy, cool, one of a kind – every sweater is one of a kind, every piece is unique”

Gladue is looking to turn his passion into a career and encourages other kids to follow their passion and not be afraid to do what they love.

“A lot of kids that say they’re going to do stuff and they don’t plan on doing it because they’re afraid or they don’t have the time or don’t want to put in the effort. Just shows that anyone can do this just have to have the time or effort into the company or something you love.”

As a way to support the community, Gladue is hoping to do a future fundraising initiative to help those less fortunate at the Centre of Hope.