She started her career in fashion as a stylist on TV shows – beginning with The Voice
A well-known fashion entrepreneur who started her career with The Voice has died at 38 following a “completely random and unexpected complication” Octavia Hughen had just returned home from Manchester Fashion Week, where she was representing her company when she suddenly fell ill.
Single mum Octavia ran the business Prelove And Reloved in Whitstable, Kent after building a career around sustainable clothing. Announcing her death her family said: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the devastating news that our beautiful Octavia, our beloved sister, daughter, friend and devoted mother, has passed away after a long fight over the weekend.
“Having only just returned last week from one of the biggest achievements of her pre-loved journey, Octavia suffered a completely random and unexpected complication on Friday. Despite the efforts of doctors in Canterbury and later the incredible staff at King’s [College Hospital] London, where she was transferred, they were ultimately unable to save her.”
Octavia moved to Whitstable 10 years ago and had worked in fashion for years before eventually becoming her own boss. Her first job after university was as a stylist’s assistant on The Voice UK, before she went on to work for several years as a stylist in television.
She later styled e-commerce shoots and worked as an art director for major UK brands, but decided to branch out on her own when she wanted to have a baby.
Octavia had previously said her passion for pre-loved clothing was inspired by her time running The Victoria pub in east London’s Mile End with her brother, describing those years as among the happiest, most fun and chaotic of her life. The pair would hold jumble sales every Sunday, which Octavia said was where her real passion for selling pre-loved clothing began.
That passion eventually became Prelove And Reloved, which opened earlier this year. She also started She Sells By The Sea, a similar venture which allowed parents to thrift clothes for their children. Octavia had also spoken about her love of Ibiza, which she first visited on a girls’ holiday at 17, and said her ambition was to move there with her daughter.
Her family said pre-loved fashion had brought Octavia an “incredible purpose and joy”. They said: “So many of you knew Octavia through her passion for pre-loved clothing, something that brought her such incredible purpose and joy.
“To everyone who supported her, bought from her, followed her journey, shared her love of pre-loved and became part of what she created, thank you. You gave her so much happiness, and we know how much each and every one of you meant to her.”
News of her death has prompted thousands od reactions and hundreds of comments on Instagram. Photographer Lucy Lawson said: “I’m so shocked and so utterly heartbroken for all her family, loved ones and her baby girl. She will be so, so missed within the community. Sending so much love.”
Stylist Lauren Douglas added: “I loved following and interacting with Octavia, and her positive energy and kindness really came across. So much love to her family and daughter.”
Octavia’s family said they hope in time to continue the legacy she created through her passion for pre-loved clothing. They added: “When the time is right, we promise to do everything we can to continue Octavia’s legacy and the passion she poured into pre-loved clothing.
“For now, we simply want to say thank you, for loving Octavia, believing in her, and being part of her journey. Wherever she is now we know she is smiling and dancing.”
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