Kite's 18th Birthday
Celebrating 18 Years of Kite
We’re celebrating a milestone that means so much to us – Kite turns 18!
What began in a shed at the bottom of Jo’s garden has grown into an award-winning sustainable brand, loved by customers across the world. Along the way we’ve expanded into womenswear, grown our brilliant team, and – most importantly – stayed true to our founding values of quality, care and sustainability.
Above all, we’re proud of the wonderful community we’ve built together – customers, suppliers, colleagues and stockists – who have been part of our journey every step of the way.
Read on to discover more about the Kite story so far.
Back in 2007, Jo Spragg had just had her third child and was determined to create clothing that was not only beautiful, but also kinder to the planet. With only 14 styles and very small quantities, the first collections were sold at school fairs and local markets, with boxes of stock stored in Jo’s garage. It was a modest start, but the vision was clear: sustainable fashion made to last.
Jo
I thought, if I can do something my girls would be proud of, that’s kinder to the planet, then it’s worth a go.
After a couple of trial seasons, Jo was joined by her friend Ally Tyler, who she had first met at the school gates and Ally’s brother, Roger Hakes who brought valuable experience in retail strategy. Alongside Jo’s husband Richard who had retail head office merchandising experience, the four set about turning Kite into a business with real potential. Those early days required resilience and creativity, but they laid the foundations of the close-knit partnership that continues today.
Ally
There was a lot of juggling in those early years, but each step forward – no matter how small – felt like a big achievement.
As Kite found its rhythm, each stage of growth brought new opportunities. From moving into bigger spaces to launching a website and growing our team, the business steadily evolved. A defining moment came in 2014, when we moved into our current HQ in Poole and brought distribution back in-house. That same year Kite won the UK Fashion and Textile Award – recognition that marked how far we had come.
Roger
The most rewarding part of our journey has been building enduring relationships with our suppliers, stockists, and customers - and working alongside our amazing 35-strong team at Kite HQ.
What makes us proudest today is how Kite has grown while staying true to its founding values. We’ve been GOTS certified for 15 years, built partnerships with trusted suppliers for over a decade and our production is zero airmiles. Alongside this, collaborations with the NICU at Royal Bournemouth, the Wardrobe Foundation and LittleLoop reflect our commitment to making a positive difference.
Ally
Kite has always been about more than clothes. We’ve built a brand people can trust, that stands for sustainability, kindness and quality.
As we celebrate 18 years, our focus is firmly on the future and continuing our commitment to making better clothes in a better way.
To everyone who has been part of the Kite journey so far – thank you.
