What does a girl do, when she can't find perfect fitting clothes?
Make her own of course!
Ali Allinson founded Lanky Bird in 2006 and after a hectic three years of developing the brand, working and juggling far too much, she was finally rescued earlier this year by her new business partner Rachael Waring, and the brand is re-launched.
Ali's background has always been in the fashion industry, she trained as a fashion designer, and enjoyed a successful career working mainly for a UK mens tailoring manufacturer supplying suits to well known high-end retailers.
This area of design and product development instilled the all important discipline of paying meticulous attention to detail - paramount to constructing and manufacturing quality garments.
After taking time off to bring up two children, she decided to brave the industry again, but this time in womens wear. As a Lanky Bird herself, she had struggled for years to find fashionable clothes that truly fit. The quest was on. Think classic silhouettes, quirky twists and an emphasis on shape on fit... Lanky Bird was born!
Three years later after developing the brand, running the business and a hectic life of continuing to freelance, children and horses etc., etc,. Ali met Rachael!
Halleluiah...!
Rachael, also a Lanky Bird, and a successful business woman, had an immediate passion, energy and enthusiasm for the brand. With a professional background in both property and as a Director of a furniture manufacturing company, learning about the world of fashion appealed to her thirst for knowledge and new industries/markets and she couldn't resist the temptation to get involved. "Working" at her Grandmother's clothes shop in the holidays as a child and visiting Fashion Shows in London with her, obviously left a lasting impression! She also couldn't resist the temptation of meeting the challenge of developing this already popular brand.
The opportunity to join the Company arose via a chance meeting with Ali, and Rachael immediately recognised huge potential for the business. Rachael had only recently had her third child at the time, however, a mere matter of increasing family commitments never stopped Rachael in the past, all credit to Ali who could see beyond the early meetings with Rachael when baby Jack was being jiggled on mother's lap!
The meeting of the minds of Ali and Rachael has proved extremely successful, as the enthusiastic vision for the Company is mirrored in the two of them. The future for Lanky Bird is brighter than ever with many exciting plans afoot.
If you would like to communicate directly with either Ali or Rachael, they would love to hear from you...
ali@lankybird.com
rachael@lankybird.com