PrettyLittleThing keen to make its flamboyant fashion an international hit (2024)

Translated by
Nicola Mira

Published
Mar 10, 2020

When Umar and Adam Kamani launched PrettyLittleThing in 2012, the label only featured accessories. Eight years later, PrettyLittleThing (PLT) has established itself as an iconic, affordable online ready-to-wear label in the UK and beyond. Its products and ethos are closely linked with social media, and PLT is keen on short-cycle collections, as well as having ambitious plans to conquer the world.

PrettyLittleThing keen to make its flamboyant fashion an international hit (2)

PLT is targeted to young women aged 16 to 24, and has a catalogue of 20,000 items, from apparel to footwear and accessories. The products are directly inspired by catwalk shows, and by the wardrobes of international celebrities and influencers. The latter have become the label’s main brand ambassadors, with no fewer than 8,000 collaborations featured in 2019, generating 9.5 billion social media hits. PLT’s fashion is colourful and flamboyant, and the label’s chief concern is to make the products extremely affordable for its customers.

“We want to be these women's best friends,” PLT’s co-founder and CEO Umar Kamani told FashionNetwork.com, as he visited Paris to open a showroom during the fashion week. The venue, on central Boulevard Haussmann, is steeped in pink décor, pride of place going to a pink winged unicorn in actual size and a golden Eiffel Tower replica. “The world is beset by so many problems and, in the midst of it all, we are trying to create a fairy tale for women, to give them comfort and self-belief, and to make them feel empowered through fashion,” said Kamani.

Like Nasty Gal, PLT was spawned by Boohoo, the British fashion e-tailer founded by Mahmud Kamani, father of Umar and Aman, and by Carol Kane. “You can’t get more fast-fashion than Boohoo,” said Kane to FashionNetwork.com when the e-tailer opened its Parisian offices in 2018 (read the interview here).

“[PLT’s] business model is very similar,” said Umar Kamani. This is why PLT drops nearly 250 new items every week. A frenzied pace, proof of the label’s ability to react to instant trends by means of quick-off-the-mark, localised production. “We place orders for sizeable volumes right from the start, but we never generate a huge inventory.

"And if the items are successful with our customers, we produce more of the same. Otherwise, we move on to something else. About 40% of our total output is made in the UK, and another 40% comes from China. The rest comes from Turkey, Pakistan, India and other countries,” he added.

PrettyLittleThing keen to make its flamboyant fashion an international hit (3)

PLT's model straddles several of the apparel market’s current trends: from the increase in the number of orders placed over a short period of time, something affecting virtually all the apparel market’s segments, putting creative teams and purchasing departments under significant stress, to the labels’ strategy of shrinking order size in order to reduce the risk of having huge volumes of unsold inventory. As to whether a PLT-type model is likely to be adopted by an increasing number of players, like French mail-order company 3 Suisses did recently, Kamani is hedging his bets: “All I can say is that this model works well for us.”

Sustainable development is also part of the equation. In April 2019, PLT introduced a line called Recycled, whose products are made from fabric offcuts and recycled plastic bottles, though it meant sacrificing the label’s affordable price positioning. “As a label, we want to become more sustainable, do the right thing and contribute to a safer future for the planet. This means that we must turn our attention to a number of issues and aspects. But I think this is what everyone wants and expects from a label nowadays, ours included, especially the younger generations,” Kamani said.

“We’re targeting the whole planet”

In the 2018-19 financial year, sales for PLT grew by a staggering 107%, reaching €430 million (GBP374.4 million). Gross margin in the period was 56.6%, and the year was also marked by the deployment of a new chatbot, and new payment and returns functionalities. Above all, last year PLT deployed its eighth local website, the first non-Anglophone one, as a French version was added to the existing US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, Irish and European versions of its international site. In parallel, to bolster PLT’s development effort, the group relocated its huge warehouse in Sheffield, UK, extending over 57,000 m2 and staffed by about 1,200 people, the linchpin of the label’s international expansion plans. Where is PLT heading to?

“We’re targeting the whole planet,” said Kamani, all smiles. “We now have a showroom in Manchester and one in London. We have also opened two showrooms in the USA, in Los Angeles and New York, and we have a presence in Dubai and Saudi Arabia. All the markets are promising. Wherever we go, it’s especially interesting to listen to what the market has to say. We don’t tweak the product range locally, it’s the label as a whole that adapts, in order to fit in with local culture. For example, when we go to the USA, we adopt the same outlook of our local customers, in order to have a product range and an advertising style consistent with their values."

PrettyLittleThing keen to make its flamboyant fashion an international hit (4)

Globally, the average purchasing basket value for the e-commerce sector as a whole is declining, compensated by a greater purchasing frequency. This doesn’t apply to PLT, which is expanding at pace, with some 5 million active customers, a 70% increase on an annual basis. PLT’s average online purchasing basket is GBP 40.41, up 12% over the last financial year, and order frequency too is growing, up by 11.7% to an average of 2.84 orders, higher than the frequency observed at Boohoo and even Nasty Gal.

“Just five years ago, people were still extremely sceptical about buying fashion online, but this didn’t prevent the market from expanding rapidly,” said Kamani, adding that “in the last few years, people have become more and more confident, aware of the new opportunities that exist. Our sales are growing year after year, and I think this will continue to be the case in the future, if we’ll be able to keep adapting to customer requirements.”

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PrettyLittleThing keen to make its flamboyant fashion an international hit (2024)

FAQs

When did PrettyLittleThing become popular? ›

In November 2017, the firm drew press attention when it was named one of the top three fastest growing fashion companies by Hitwise. In February 2019, the brand opened their LA office on Melrose Avenue. In 2020 Boohoo acquired the remainder of PrettyLittleThing.

What is the controversy with PrettyLittleThing? ›

Pretty Little Thing branded "irresponsible" for "sexualising" Travis Barker's 16-year-old daughter. An advert for fast fashion brand Pretty Little Thing has been banned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for portraying a child – Travis Barker's 16-year-old daughter, Alabama Barker – in a "sexual way".

What is pretty little things target market? ›

Its products include women's apparel, footwear, accessories, and beauty products for women between 16 and 35 years of age.

Is PrettyLittleThing global? ›

As a global brand, we have to become a role model to young girls.” Part of being a global, “best friend-like” brand is tapping into international pop culture, which PrettyLittleThing achieves with its podcast, Behind Closed Doors.

How successful is PrettyLittleThing? ›

After more than 10 years at the helm after first launching the fast fashion giant in Manchester alongside his brother Adam, PrettyLittleThing has since exponentially boomed with annual revenues in excess of £700m in 2022.

What is PrettyLittleThing known for? ›

PrettyLittleThing.com is your one-stop shop for trend led women's clothing at seriously killer prices. At PrettyLittleThing we provide you with the latest women's clothes you need to own your own style, delivering you product inspired from the catwalk and the coolest celeb muses of the moment.

What are the weaknesses of PrettyLittleThing? ›

Our research highlights several ethical issues with Pretty Little Thing, and it received a worst Ethical Consumer rating for Environmental Reporting, Climate Change, Pollution & Toxics, Palm Oil Sourcing, Animal Testing, Animal Rights, Workers' Rights, Supply Chain Management and Tax Conduct.

Is PrettyLittleThing fast fashion? ›

PrettyLittleThing is a fast fashion brand owned by boohoo group. PrettyLittleThing is a major U.K.-based, fast fashion, mostly-online retailer that ships to countries around the world.

Is plt a fast fashion brand? ›

With hundreds of new products dropping daily, from dresses & tops, to shoes & accessories; all "nothing to wear dilemmas" are gone for good. This is fast fashion accelerated.

What influencers are sponsored by PrettyLittleThing? ›

The roster of Pretty Little Thing Brand Ambassadors includes Alabama Barker, Chantel Jeffries, and Teyana Taylor.

How much does PrettyLittleThing pay their models? ›

How Much Do Pretty Little Thing Model Jobs Pay per Hour? $19.23 is the 25th percentile.

Where does PrettyLittleThing make their clothes? ›

"And if the items are successful with our customers, we produce more of the same. Otherwise, we move on to something else. About 40% of our total output is made in the UK, and another 40% comes from China. The rest comes from Turkey, Pakistan, India and other countries,” he added.

Who are PrettyLittleThing customers? ›

prettylittlething.com Audience Demographics

prettylittlething.com's audience is 27.85% male and 72.15% female.

How popular is plt? ›

PrettyLittleThing has been quick to adapt to the ever-changing role of celebrity and social media and it was one of the first ecommerce brands to join Tik Tok in 2019 and now has more than over 1.6 million followers, accruing more than 30 million likes.

Is PrettyLittleThing bad for the environment? ›

Pretty Little Thing don't use eco-friendly materials, nor have they made much effort to reduce the use of hazardous chemicals or water in their supply chain. While they do report greenhouse gas emissions from their direct operation, they don't bother when it comes to their supply chain.

Is pretty little thing profitable? ›

PrettyLittleThing's pretax profit narrowed to 75.1 million pounds from 99 million pounds a year earlier, which was impacted by 11.6 million pounds of exceptional costs linked to the automation of its Sheffield warehouse. Profit for the year fell to 55.2 million pounds from 78 million pounds.

What is pretty little things revenue? ›

How much was pretty little thing sold for? ›

Boohoo has bought out a minority stake in its Pretty Little Thing brand for more than £260m just days after criticism over a potential deal.

What is pretty little things brand image? ›

PrettyLittleThing are not only identified by their logo but are now synonymous with its signature pink adorned with unicorns, which established a sense of individuality and personality alongside high audience recall.

What are some weaknesses in the fashion industry? ›

Low Quality to Keep Price Low. Many fashion brands are at war with one another over price. If you want to gain a price advantage over competitors, then you have to use alternative materials. However, when they alternative material, or outsource the production processes, then it results in the form so of low quality.

What type of store is PrettyLittleThing? ›

What type of store is PrettyLittleThing? Pretty Little Thing is a fast-fashion store that sells on-trend stunning looks from wardrobe staples to showstopping party styles.

What brands are known for fast fashion? ›

Fast Fashion Leaders

Major players in the fast-fashion market include Zara, H&M Group, UNIQLO, GAP, Forever 21, Topshop, Esprit, Primark, Fashion Nova, and New Look. Many companies are both retailers and manufacturers, though they often outsource the actual production of clothing.

What are fast fashion brands? ›

What is Fast Fashion? Fast fashion refers to brands that produce high volumes of clothing throughout the year. Brands are now making clothes at a fraction of the price they used to. As a result, consumers can update their wardrobes very quickly and affordably.

How can PrettyLittleThing be more sustainable? ›

All its polyester and cotton will be recycled or more sustainably sourced by 2025. PrettyLittleThing has committed to more sustainable sourcing all the materials it uses in its garments by 2030. By 2025, all 50% of its man-made cellulosic fibers will be more sustainably sourced.

Is fast fashion cheap quality? ›

Fast fashion companies thrive off of cheap textile production on a mass scale, mostly outsourced from China and India. These inexpensive materials include mostly synthetic polyester (the least expensive textile to produce), cotton, elastane, viscose and nylon.

Are Shein and PrettyLittleThing the same? ›

PrettyLittleThings, like Shein, offers a wide range of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle products. Unlike Shein, PrettyLittleThing has a very specific target audience: young women aged 16 to 24. So, unlike Shein, Prettylittkething does not sell clothing for men or children. Their size chart is also inclusive- XS to 4XL.

Who is the model for pretty little thing? ›

Ashley Graham; effortless beauty, inspirational role model and the epitome of body confidence. This collection has one focus; empowering the females who aren't afraid to own the skin they're in. Fall in love with yourself with the pieces that work for all powerful women - and every body type.

What brand pays influencers the most? ›

Brands That Pay Influencers
  1. Fabletics. Fabletics is an active-lifestyle brand that sells both women's and men's activewear. ...
  2. Fashion Nova. ...
  3. Flat Tummy Co. ...
  4. Goli Gummy. ...
  5. Lululemon. ...
  6. Amazon Fashion. ...
  7. Walmart. ...
  8. PrettyLittleThing.
Mar 22, 2023

Who is the brand ambassador of pretty little thing? ›

Gemma Owen | Brand Ambassadors | PrettyLittleThing.

Who is the CEO of pretty little? ›

Umar Kamani who started the company with his brother Adam Kamani in 2012 revealed that he would be stepping down to pursue new challenges and launch new brands.

How much do curvy models make? ›

What are Top 4 Best Paying Related Plus Size Models Jobs in the U.S.
Job TitleAnnual SalaryMonthly Pay
Plus Size Fit Model$128,605$10,717
Plus Size Modeling$80,023$6,668
Online Plus Size Modeling$76,355$6,362
Size Fit Model$34,000$2,833

How much do you get paid to be a Shein model? ›

The estimated total pay for a Model at SHEIN is $23 per hour. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. The estimated base pay is $21 per hour. The estimated additional pay is $2 per hour.

Does Kourtney own PrettyLittleThing? ›

Kourtney Kardashian -- Kim's older sister -- has created a capsule collection of apparel and accessories for the brand PrettyLittleThing, channeling sexy styles and vaguely retro inspirations.

What family owns PrettyLittleThing? ›

Umar and Adam joined forces to set up PrettyLittleThing in 2012 and while Umar remained at the helm of the company for years, Adam went on to establish the family's property empire and his own investment company, KM Capital. Younger brother Samir has been working at his father's company, taking the reins at BoohooMan.

Where does Shein get its clothes from? ›

The company mainly sourced its clothing from China's wholesale clothing market in Guangzhou. However, Shein became a fully integrated retailer in 2014 when it secured its supply chain system. Now, the company utilizes a network of manufacturing partners and suppliers to make and deliver its products.

How tall are PLT models? ›

A petite model generally measures between 5'2” and 5'6” tall. Their hip, waist and bust sizes also tend to mirror their height (slightly smaller than the average male or female).

Has PLT won any awards? ›

North American Association for Environmental Education's (NAAEE) Award for Outstanding Service by an Organization at the Global Level was presented to PLT in 2006.

Did PLT have a flea problem? ›

Fast fashion retailer PrettyLittleThing have launched an investigation after customers alleged to have found fleas in their deliveries. The clothing brand has said they have found no evidence to support the claims being made by customers on TikTok, who claimed they found the bugs in their clothing deliveries.

Does PrettyLittleThing have bugs? ›

PrettyLittleThing shoppers took to social media to claim that there were bugs inside their orders with one person screaming as they filmed. PrettyLittleThing say no evidence was found to support the claims after the investigation.

Are PrettyLittleThing and Nasty Gal the same? ›

People also want to know if Nasty Gal and PLT (PrettyLittleThing) are the same, and the answer is again, no they are not. Both companies are owned by the same parent company but the brands themselves are completely separate.

Is PLT a fast fashion brand? ›

With hundreds of new products dropping daily, from dresses & tops, to shoes & accessories; all "nothing to wear dilemmas" are gone for good. This is fast fashion accelerated.

How popular is PLT? ›

All in all, 13% of fashion online shop users in the UK use PrettyLittleThing. That means, of the 75% who know the brand, 17% use them. How loyal are the customers of PrettyLittleThing? Around 10% of fashion online shop users in the UK say they are likely to use PrettyLittleThing again.

Is ASOS better than PrettyLittleThing? ›

Is ASOS better than Pretty Little Thing? Yes, ASOS is better than Pretty Little Thing. I've never had one quality concern with my ASOS purchases. Shipping is fast and returns are hassle-free.

Where are PrettyLittleThing clothes manufactured? ›

“We place orders for sizeable volumes right from the start, but we never generate a huge inventory. "And if the items are successful with our customers, we produce more of the same. Otherwise, we move on to something else. About 40% of our total output is made in the UK, and another 40% comes from China.

What is the Nasty Gal controversy? ›

In 2015, a lawsuit was filed accusing Nasty Gal of allegedly firing four employees because of pregnancy, in violation of California laws. It has faced criticism online in a variety of publications due to its allegedly "toxic" work environment and numerous negative reviews on Glassdoor from unhappy employees.

What is fast fashion vs slow fashion brands? ›

Fast fashion vs slow fashion: The key differences

Fast fashion companies churn out new clothes each season and often use cheap materials that cannot be reused. In contrast, slow fashion brands use high-quality materials and ensure that their clothes can be recycled or repurposed at the end of their life cycle.

Is Shein still unethical? ›

The working conditions in the factories that make SHEIN's apparel are also a cause for concern. In developing nations, where labour rules are frequently laxer and workers may receive extremely cheap wages, many of the factories are situated.

What celebrity endorses PrettyLittleThing? ›

PrettyLittle Thing has a new ambassador/celebrity product endorser. Gemma Owen, Love Island competitor and daughter of former football star Michael Owen, has signed a reported six-figure sum to become the face of the Boohoo-owned fast-fashion brand.

What celebrities have worked with PLT? ›

PLT sought to execute campaigns - elevating brand awareness globally through Out of Home in the UK, France, USA and a TV partnership with NBCU E! Entertainment across UK, France and Australia. These collaborations paved the way for many more celebrities including; Hailey Bieber, Jennifer Lopez, Ashanti and Little Mix.

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