Sosandar: the Wilmslow fashion brand stepping onto the high street

Cheshire has produced its fair share of fashion success stories, and Sosandar is one of the most striking. The womenswear brand, headquartered in Wilmslow, was founded in 2015 by Ali Hall and Julie Lavington, two women who already knew a great deal about what female shoppers want to wear.

Before launching Sosandar, the pair worked together at Look, the high street fashion and celebrity style magazine. Julie launched the title in 2007 and served as its publishing director, while Ali was its editor. Between them they brought more than 35 years of experience in media and fashion to their new venture, and today they lead the business as joint chief executives.

Sosandar built its following as an online retailer, and its founders have been recognised in the Drapers Power 100, the trade magazine's list of the most influential people in UK fashion. The brand has also been busy forging partnerships. Its collaboration with Next saw Sosandar move beyond clothing and into furniture, a sign of how far its distinctive aesthetic has travelled.

Perhaps the biggest step of all has been onto the high street. In 2024 Sosandar opened its first physical store, on Bond Street in Chelmsford, Essex, followed by a shop in Marlow. Further stores have since opened in Bath, Harrogate, Cardiff's St David's centre and Gateshead's Metrocentre, giving customers the chance to see and try the collections in person.

It is a remarkable journey for a business still run from Cheshire, and it shows that the county's influence on fashion reaches well beyond its own boutiques. For shoppers here, there is a certain pride in knowing that such a successful womenswear name calls Wilmslow home.

The move into physical retail marked a new chapter for a business that had been born online. Stores give customers the chance to try on pieces, get a feel for fabrics and fit, and experience the brand in person, something many shoppers still value even in a digital age.

It is also a story with a strong Cheshire thread. Running a national fashion business from Wilmslow shows that you do not need to be based in London to make an impact on the UK fashion scene, and the county's reputation for style makes it a fitting home for such a brand. As the founders continue to build the brand, Sosandar remains a model of what two determined women with a clear vision can achieve.

Shop the collections at sosandar.com.