The Apprentice winner Sian Gabbidon is opening a pop-up swimwear shop in Yorkshire, reports MAXINE GORDON

YORKSHIRE fashion entrepreneur Sian Gabbidon won the last season of The Apprentice by wowing Lord Sugar with her calm and focussed business skills and her range of skimpy swimwear.

The Leeds businesswoman who scooped a £250,000 investment through the TV show will be opening her first pop-up store at Trinity Leeds this weekend showcasing the designs from her latest collection, Tropical Goddess.

Fellow The Apprentice stars including Khadija Kalifa, Kayode Damali, Tom Bunday, Jackie Fast and Alex Finn, will be joining Sian as part of a meet and greet event at the pop-up on Saturday from 11am.

The pop-up will run from Friday to Sunday.

Sian, 26, beat nut milk entrepreneur Camilla Ainsworth, 22, to win the title and the mentoring of Lord Sugar for her swimwear firm, which she set up three years ago.

She says the millionaire businessman is hugely involved in helping her grow the brand, which she wants to develop globally.

"We speak a lot. Every decision is a joint one - which is exactly how I wanted it to be.

“I am very confident in what I do and where I want to go and having someone like Lord Sugar giving knowledge and advice is great – you can’t get that anywhere else!

“Any advice is vital for me and I respect him.”

The pop-up shop follows the launch on her online swimwear range at SianMarie.com.

Designed to make you stand out from the crowd, Sian says it is perfect for women who love to make a statement in bold, bright colours whether it’s on the beach, by the pool or at a festival.

She said carnival-style dancers modelling the swimwear, accompanied by a sax player, will put on a show for onlookers showcasing the outfits on offer this spring, to really get shoppers into the holiday spirit.

Other fashion and styling events will take place too, including staff from salon Dickeybow Boutique who will be on hand to help create the full summer festival look, offering £5 lashes with free fitting, £20 hairpieces with free styling and make up demonstrations all day Saturday and Sunday.

Shoppers will be treated to ten per cent off all pop-up purchases as well as a free pair of lashes.

Sian added: “The Tropical Goddess collection offers girls beautifully fitting swimwear pieces, by allowing customers to select different sizes for the top and bottoms, while still being stylish and statement making.

"The collection is perfect for when you want to enhance your curves to make you feel your best. I am so excited to have a pop-up store in my home town and I know the girls will really love the pieces on offer over the weekend.”

Sian launched her swimwear business after failing to find styles that suited her.

She studied fashion at Huddersfield university, graduating with a first-class degree.

Now, she works with lots of celebrities to promote her brand.

She said her calm and collected personality worked well in the TV competition and in business.

She said there were times on The Apprentice that she felt like shouting, but she kept her cool.

“I learned to have a voice without shouting. To have a presence without being an argumentative person.

“That is how I am. There were times in my head I wanted to shout but I kept calm and that’s how I aim to be in business.

“I want to be a nice, approachable person. I am dealing with celebrities and I need to be likeable and friendly.”