Former Coronation Street actress Arianna Ajtar has unveiled the remarkable success story behind her clothing brand, Mars The Label, after transitioning from the iconic cobbles of Weatherfield to the glamorous world of fashion design. The actress, who portrayed model Olivia Radfield on the long-running ITV soap, has achieved significant commercial triumph, with her brand now valued in the multi-million pound range.
From Bolton Living Room to Global Recognition
Arianna launched Mars The Label in 2016 from her father's living room in Bolton, identifying a gap in the market while searching for night-out attire. While studying acting at Liverpool University, she financed the initial £3,000 startup capital by working two jobs simultaneously at The Perfume Shop and a local jewellery store. Her perseverance has yielded substantial rewards, with the brand gaining international attention after reality television star Khloe Kardashian was photographed wearing a £66 ensemble from the collection during Easter celebrations with her family.
Celebrity Endorsements and Industry Impact
Khloe Kardashian's public endorsement proved transformative for the brand. The celebrity posted multiple images of herself in Mars The Label's white spotted co-ord on Instagram, describing it as the "cutest fit" in comments directed at the brand. This exposure has been complemented by other high-profile clients including Megan Thee Stallion and Olivia Plerson, who wore the brand's Sandra dress to Kris Jenner's 70th birthday celebration last year.
Arianna attributes part of her success to maintaining authenticity and understanding customer desires. "A lot of fashion brands start and fail because they either lack authenticity or the top brass of the companies are not tuned into what their customer base wants," she explained. The brand has distinguished itself by offering inclusive sizing from UK 4 to 20, a broader range than many competitors, reflecting what Arianna describes as a "more thoughtful" approach in contemporary fashion.
Northern Roots and Future Expansion
The entrepreneur credits her Bolton upbringing and what she calls "Northern grit" for her work ethic and business acumen. "I am grateful beyond words to have been raised by a dad who never tried to make me be someone I am not or go down a path I don't feel passionate about," Arianna told The Mirror. "Northern grit cannot and will never be beaten. We are grafters to the core and know the true meaning of community."
Despite maintaining its operational base in Bolton, Mars The Label has achieved international recognition through runway presentations at Miami Swim Week and a glitzy collection launch event in Manchester earlier this year. The brand now faces expansion challenges, with Arianna revealing plans to open a warehouse facility in the United States later this year to navigate rising tariff barriers that have complicated international operations.
Coronation Street Background and Fashion Inspiration
Arianna's acting career on Coronation Street from 2018 to 2019 saw her character Olivia Radfield initially hired for a fashion shoot at Underworld before becoming entangled in various plotlines. Her character collaborated with Rosie Webster to expose model agent Antoine Reese's scheme of using models as drug mules, and later became involved in her parents' insurance fraud plot involving faking her mother May's death.
The actress-turned-designer discovered her fashion calling through personal experience. "My friends and I would find ourselves searching online for endless hours for pieces that weren't on the market," Arianna recalled. "This inspired me to launch a brand where I designed the clothes we were searching for." This customer-focused approach has propelled Mars The Label from humble beginnings to a celebrated fashion enterprise with celebrity backing and ambitious international growth plans.
