PrettyLittleThing is a UK-based
fast-fashion retailer, aimed at 16- to 41-year-old women.[2] The company is owned by
Boohoo Group and operates in the UK, Ireland, Australia, US, France, Middle East and North Africa.[3][4] The brand's main headquarters are in
Manchester. PrettyLittleThing has offices in
London, Paris and Los Angeles.[5]
History
PrettyLittleThing was co-founded in 2012 by brothers
Umar and
Adam Kamani.[6][7] It started with an accessory only brand with limited products on the site. Since then, the company has expanded and now operates internationally; including the US, Irish, Australian, Middle East, French and Canadian markets.[8][9] The company sells Womenswear, footwear, accessories and beauty products. Celebrities including:
Miley Cyrus,
Michelle Keegan,
Rita Ora,
Jessie J and
Nicki Minaj were seen wearing their products.[10] In February 2017, the company reported sales of £47.7m. In September 2015, it launched its mobile application in the UK market.[11]
In 2016, the brand partnered with
ASOS and Lipsy on their website, as well as through the retailer Next. At this time, the brand also launched their USA site which was celebrated with a L.A party hosted by Kylie Jenner.[2]
PrettyLittleThing was owned by the Kamani brothers until January 2017, before being acquired by their father
Mahmud Kamani's company
Boohoo.[12] It acquired 66% stake in the PrettyLittleThing.[13]
Throughout 2017 the PrettyLittleThing French website was launched as well as PLT Plus (plus size clothing ranging from 18-30). In November 2017, the firm drew press attention when it was named one of the top three fastest growing fashion companies by Hitwise.[14]
In February 2019, the brand opened their LA office on Melrose Avenue.[15] September 2019, PrettyLittleThing debuted at NYFW with their exclusive collaboration with American rapper and singer, Saweetie.[3]
In 2020 Boohoo acquired the remainder of PrettyLittleThing.[16]
In March 2020, the brand opened their Paris showroom with a collaboration with the French YouTuber
Sananas.[17][18]
In June 2020, PrettyLittleThing launched their Middle Eastern website.[19]
During August 2023, Boohoo group opened their first US distribution centre. The 1 million square ft warehouse located in Elizabeth Town, Philadelphia is set to considerably reduce delivery times for American shoppers.[20] Alongside the warehouse launch, PrettyLittleThing hosted their East Coast Student Pop Up Tour.[21] The tour saw a pink branded school bus travel across 12 US states and hosted pop ups at a total of 19 college campuses.
Collaborations
In October and November 2015, PrettyLittleThing launched collections with reality actress
Lucy Mecklenburgh.[22] They collaborated with American reality television personality
Kylie Jenner,[23] who hosted a launch party in Los Angeles.[24]
In October 2016, PrettyLittleThing launched their party wear collection with
Sofia Richie.[25] They signed LA influencer
Chantel Jeffries as their brand ambassador.[26] In August 2017, the online retailer launched a collection with American personality
Olivia Culpo.[27][28] In October 2017, PrettyLittleThing launched a collection with American reality television personality and businesswoman
Kourtney Kardashian.[29][30] In May 2018, the brand announced a collaboration with streetwear label
Karl Kani with a collection fronted by
Teyana Taylor.[31] In June 2018, the brand launched a collaboration with British television and radio presenter
Maya Jama[32][33] In September 2018, PrettyLittleThing teamed up with American model
Ashley Graham to launch a collection for sizes 6–28.[34][35][36] In November 2018, the brand launched a collection with
Hailey Baldwin as the face of their Christmas campaign.[37][38][39]
In February 2019, the brand launched a second collection with American model
Ashley Graham.[40]
In June 2019, PrettyLittleThing launched a summer collaboration with American singer, songwriter, record producer
Ashanti.[41] 2019 also saw the brand launch second collections with
Maya Jama[42] and
Karl Kani.[43] In September 2019 PrettyLittleThing launched a collaboration with UK Love Island star
Molly-Mae Hague.[44] PrettyLittleThing hosted their first catwalk in New York Fashion Week, releasing their collaboration with Saweetie.[45][46] In November 2019, they launched a collection with British girl group
Little Mix.[47][48][49]
PrettyLittleThing launched a collection in June 2020 with proceeds donated to The Solutions Not Punishment Collaborative (SNaP Co), a Black trans-led organisation aimed at transforming material realities for Black transgender people.[50][51] June 2020 also saw the launch of a second collaboration with
Saweetie, with all proceeds going to
Black Lives Matter.[52][53] In September 2020 PrettyLittleThing launched their second collaboration with UK Love Island star Molly-Mae Hague.[54][55] October 2020 saw the brand team up and collaborate with entrepreneur
Jordyn Woods.[56][57]
In November 2020, PrettyLittleThing released their collaboration with
Lil Kim.[58]
November also saw the brand launch their homeware collection with PLT Home.[59]
In December 2020,
Teyana Taylor was announced as Creative Director.[60]
January 2021, saw the launch of PrettyLittleThing x
Teyana Taylor.[61]
In August 2021, they announced Molly-Mae Hague as their new Creative Director. Molly-Mae has since stepped down from the role to prioritise her life as a mum, which was announced in June 2023. [62]
In 2022, PrettyLittleThing launched its marketplace which allows customers to re-sell their old clothes.[63] In September 2022, PrettyLittleThing announced UK
Love Island star Indiyah Polack as their newest Brand Ambassador, Indiyah has since been a prominent face of the PrettyLittleThing brand.[64][65]
In September 2023 the firm launched a worldwide campaign with supermodel Naomi Campbell.[66]
Controversy
On November 26, 2021, PrettyLittleThing launched 'Pink Friday' (which was a play on Black Friday), where the fast-fashion brand discounted merchandise up to 100% off. This sale caused a controversy with many sustainable shoppers and activists, who pointed out the poor wages of workers and large amounts of waste that PrettyLittleThing contributes to landfills in Africa. This resulted in the critics who questioned the brand's actions over social media being blocked by Umar Kamani.[67]