Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacy Anderson.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Stacy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
KENT Woman was originally born out of my MA thesis while I was studying at London College of Fashion. Part of my project also entailed developing a capsule range of graffiti print organic silk lingerie. At the time in London (2007/2008), it felt like the epicentre for sustainable fashion. That, coupled with a personal frustration for a lack of natural, organic and beautifully designed options for women inspired me to launch KENT. After moving from London to Toronto, I still carried with me the idea for KENT. Then moving to Los Angeles a few years later, I met the right people, found the right factory and began putting more and more time into making the KENT concept a reality. After many prototypes, fittings and samples, we landed on a core set of organic silk underwear, soft bras and loungewear that I fell in love with. A chance encounter (and aesthetic match made in heaven) with the founder of The Dreslyn, Brooke, at an event in Los Angeles eventually led to us launching exclusively with the retailer in late 2016.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Starting a brand or business is never smooth! But every moment has been incredible in its own right. Some of the key challenges we faced were understanding who the KENT woman is – precisely. We have in our mind who we’re serving and constantly looking to learn more about her in order to meet her needs as best as possible. As we transition and engage more directly with our customers through our website, pop-ups and in-person experiences, we’re getting to know her more and more. Another is definitely interrogating our business model – this never seems to end and is a constant evaluation as you grow and expand. Finally, recognizing that starting a business is hard, but maintaining confidence in yourself and what you believe in. You’ll come across naysayers all the time, and you need to trust in your gut and yourself.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the KENT Woman story. Tell us more about the business.
KENT is a radically natural collection of organic underwear, sleep and loungewear designed and produced in Los Angeles. We are known for creating simple, strong pieces to delightfully start and end each day. For us, under-apparel is less about sex and more about style and self-love, that’s why we use only the finest organic materials and craftsmanship to complement, rather than compete with, the female form.
We recently launched our product – The Annual Brief – the worlds’ first organic cotton underwear annual subscription. We eat organic food, apply organic skincare, use organic tampons … it’s time our underwear are organic too. The Annual Brief™ was born out of the belief that what we put on our body should be as healthy and clean as what we put in our body. Each Brief is made of 100% certified organic pima cotton – a naturally hypoallergenic, silky smooth fabric that’s 100% free of toxins, synthetics and pesticides. … 0 frills. 0 chemicals. 100% natural.
Why Annual?
Studies show we should replace our everyday underwear once a year to help prevent bacterial and yeast infections. Each Annual Brief comes with a discreet and unique D.O.B. (or born on) date, to help keep track when it may be time to swap those old pairs for a new set. But who keeps track of that? Our annual subscription takes the guesswork out of knowing when it may be time to swap out the old and get in with the new.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Much! I love and believe in the adage that “Luck Is What Happens When Preparation Meets Opportunity” – you have to show up for the world to show up for you. In business, I’ve felt lucky to have met and been surrounded by inspiring, talented and intelligent women and men who have no doubt been critical in seeing KENT launch. Personally, I’ve always trusted in my intuition to lead me down the right path, and often, moving to new cities around the world. Originally from Toronto, I’ve been lucky to call London, Copenhagen and now LA home.
Pricing:
- Annual Briefs – organic pima cotton underwear – start at $18 (available for pre-order now)
- Organic silk soft bras ~ $135
- Organic lounge and sleepwear starting ~ $115
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kentwoman.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentwoman/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kentwoman
Image Credit:
Lauren Smith, Michaela Winstone
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