HOUSTON -- Two Houston-area girls spent their high school years building a fashion empire and now they are ready to help others, KPRC Local 2 reported Wednesday.

Veronica Scott and Lauren Pope came from different worlds with a common thread.

"We were so completely opposite when we first met that we didn't even like each other," Scott said. "I was Abercrombie and she was hot topic."

Their worlds collided when the trendsetters realized other students wanted the clothes off their backs.

"A girl asked me about my belt," Scott said. "She was like, 'How much did you pay for it?' and I was like, 'I made it. Do you want one?'"

After a $15 sale, Scott was sold on the idea that they could make money selling their style.

"I gave it to her and made myself another one," Scott said.

But creating a line of clothing is a far cry from selling belts at school.

"You just make a decision. 'Am I going to the movies with Sally or Tim or am I going to work on something I really enjoy -- something that can further my future,'" Pope said.

"I think that is what separates the dream from the reality," Scott said.

Much of the credit for their success comes from their ability to barter.

"You have to tap into some resource you don't have to pay for," Scott said. "So, you start to trade and say, 'I will give you a free portfolio, a $600 value, if you model for free."

Their company, Fuchsia, has grown from their bedrooms to a cyberspace store called www.fuchshiaonline.com

"I look at my sketch and I look at them walking around wearing an idea. You know they are wearing our idea," Pope said.

Now entering their second year in college, the two have moved to San Diego to spread the Fuchsia magic. They have also taken on another project -- offering scholarships.

Scott and Pope sell Fuchsia bracelets and take donations to offer fashion industry scholarships.

"You have to have to be resourceful and keep you head above water by being resourceful and in that way, you can figure out how to support yourself and still be able to give back," Pope said.

In addition to the scholarships for girls interested in the fashion business, four times a year the Fuchsia girls offer Princess Classes, which teaches young girls the basics of photography, modeling, styling and fashion design.