I am often asked about the origins of my company, “Thursdays”. People want to know what led to me deciding to create a brand that supports boobs, when the idea was born, and the story behind the brand name.
On a personal level, I get it. Growing up, I didn’t fit the regular mould, either literally or figuratively. As a teenager with burgeoning curves, trying to fit in while I didn’t “fit in” was tough. I hated shopping for bras and swimwear because it was near impossible to find something that supported me properly and, if I did manage to find a garment that could hold me up, it was often affordably expensive or hideously ugly. I can honestly say that I’ve been there, done that, and got the t-shirt … which didn’t fit!
Consequently, my self-confidence took a severe knock. However, as I matured, I realised that I wasn’t alone and that buxom can be beautiful too! Africa is full of gorgeous girls of all shapes and sizes, many of whom wear a c-cup … and up.
I identified the problem as being that, although our culture celebrates our curves, our clothing market does not cater for them.
In 2011, while attending an entrepreneurship class, I decided I would create the solution. Two years later, after having risen through the ranks of fashion retail, I decided to pursue my idea as a business venture. This milestone was reached on a Thursday.
The name “Thursdays” is fun, quirky and holds positive connotations. After all, not only is it the unofficial start to the weekend, but it is also traditionally ‘ladies night”. The name makes you think, it makes you question and it lets you, the wearer, define what is sexy. I didn’t want a cliché name for a brand that is anything but.
Since that fateful Thursday back in 2013, I have devoted myself to building the business. This has involved conducting the necessary market research, sourcing suppliers, designing and testing my product, and raising capital.
This year, 2016, Thursdays launched our first swimwear collection, The Urban Zebra.
One of my favourite mottos is, “do it with passion, or not at all”. This embodies the Thursdays ideology. We are here to support you, in every sense of the word. We want to know what you want, what you like, and what you don’t like. In this way, we can continue to build a brand that celebrates our girls. After all, there is nothing sexier than confidence!
