History
1990s
In the beginning.
One man's student loan to an internationally recognised clothing label... and here's how it happened...
Spring 1993
Call it fate, call it luck (some people call it an accident), but in 1993, surf, skate and sleep crazed Mark Hagley turned his back on formal education and abandoned his university degree. Not very wise you might think... but with a student loan still firmly intact he chose instead to embrace the world of business and take his first steps on the long and winding path to success!
Plain Lazy was born.
Plain Lazy was born and Mark rejoiced. He had become the proud owner of a cool and funky clothing company at the age of just 19. Glamorous?! Dangerous, more like... currently without any staff (to offer much need support and guidance) the fate of Plain Lazy remained solely in the hands of one happy go lucky teenager! Resourceful and determined as ever though, mark did exactly what he had to do (to get where he is now) and devoted his entire life to building and developing the Plain Lazy brand. After only a few months Mark proved that his idea had the potential to be a success by winning "live wire", a competition designed for up and coming entrepreneurs to display their talents. This was followed by long days on the road and repeated attendance at many trade and retail shows in an effort to get Plain Lazy noticed around the country. It worked... "Ocean to Earth" in Weymouth and "Down by the Sea" in Polzeath were (in an ever increasing line) to succumb to Mark's persuasive powers and stock Plain Lazy.
The company was growing. Slowly... but surely. Plain Lazy had become a way of life (well, for mark and his friends at least!) not impressed by conventional advertising and marketing methods, Plain Lazy would instead obtain maximum exposure through 1) sponsorship and 2) festivals and shows... (come and say "Hi" if see us at a show!)
1998
In 1998 the first Plain Lazy store was opened in Lewes, East Sussex (just a stone's throw from Brighton for those of you who don't know your geography!). A milestone in the history of the company.
2000
Into the new millennium the shop was flourishing and business was booming, however, it was all about to be destroyed. 12 October 2000 the worst ever flash floods recorded hit Sussex and demolished the entire shop along with many other businesses and homes overnight and left the whole of Lewes in tatters for the next 6 months. The scenes of devastation were broadcast around the country. National interest in the plight of Plain Lazy was the only silver lining...
The shop had been an undisputed success but now a new direction was needed. In the midst of a technological revolution establishing an online store seemed the only way forward. Within no time Plain Lazy had re-located to a warehouse unit in the sleepy village of Laughton where the company gathered pace, personnel and great expertise. With an influx of orders and now more than 300 independent accounts, including Freespirit and John Lewis, Plain Lazy was finally established as a main player in the street/skate/surf/ clothing market.
2002
Another year of change! Inspired by the birth of Mark's son Kieran and the lack of any cool clothes for babies to wear, Plain Lazy embarked on its first new line... Lazy Baby! Fair trade, organic and ridiculously cute it proved an overwhelming hit from day one!
2003
The constant demand from all you females out there (and your boyfriends) had at last succeeded... Lazy Lady was finally created... and not a second too soon!
With these two collections generating huge amounts of interest and the Plain Lazy brand continuing to develop at a phenomenal rate, operating from the relaxed country dwelling soon became a logistical nightmare... time to re-locate again.
2004
The company returned to the town of Lewes, which had served it so well in the early days, and firmly established its HQ in larger (and less lazy) premises.
2005
Plain Lazy starts to expand from clothing and into bags and stationery. The ranges grow and Plain Lazy employees are sent all over the world to seek out people to help them spread the message.
2006
Plain Lazy decides to make it much easier for you to get hold of all the new clothing and accessories and open three shops in one year. Plain Lazy store in Newquay is the first to be rolled out and... shortly followed by Bath and then Brighton. You might call Plain Lazy busy little bees... except... well... we try not to be too busy!
2007
Plain Lazy breaks into Canada, with a brand new range being designed for our friends across the pond.
Lazy Baby got recognition for its efforts by being allowed to use the certified FAIRTRADE logo, that was no mean feat, I can tell ya! Hopefully the other brands will follow.
Plain Lazy has got with the digital revolution (at last) and now has mobile phone downloads, a youTUBE channel, a mySPACE page and has even joined the blogosphere!
The future.
Plain Lazy is launching a whole new host of products.... but we're sleeping on that little secret!
So with our mission in the UK established but not complete...our aim now is to spread Plain Lazy to mainland Europe, Australia and the big 'ol U.S of A...
Enjoy browsing and stay lazy...
