Happy birthday to OUR NAME! (and you could win a thing) – Who Made Your Pants?

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Happy birthday to OUR NAME! (and you could win a thing)

Posted by Becky John on May 27, 2015

Nine - nine! - years ago today I read this article in the Guardian and learned about a thing that is called Social Enterprise.

It was like Christmas. This new shiny concept that brought together two things that I loved, doing something good, and selling stuff, was like my perfect match made in heaven. I'd already been involved in campaigning work around sweatshops and had been wondering who made my pants and how I could feel good in them if they had been made in a bad place. I also knew there were women in Southampton, often refugees, who I thought might want a job.

And something started brewing. And I thought Who Made My Pants? That sounds like a business name...

It grew and grew until on the 30th June 2008 I left my well paid but DULL public sector job and then about five minutes later I find myself, here, in my office, next to a tiny little factory, with machines thundering away and Pants that were made here on my very own bottom. And on rails, hangers, washing lines and in buckets, everywhere I look.

There have been highs and lows along the way and I - we - are genuinely touched and moved that so many of you care so much about us. What a lovely community we are building. Shall we buy an Island and call it Pants Land?

We're celebrating today and we want to share the love. We want you to send a message to our team - in the comments below. Tell them why you love their work - tell them why you love our Pants! We'll pick one comment at random tomorrow and send the winner a goodie bag worth over £20.

THANK YOU for all your support - and here's to AT LEAST nine* more years

*hundred. We're optimists.

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Comment on this post (28 comments)
- Jenster says...
  
  “
  
  Who made my pants?
  Why, YOU did, of course!!!
  Best. Pants. Ever.
  
  May 28, 2015
- Jill says...
  
  “
  
  Love you and love your pants! Will NEVER ever buy any one else’s pants ever again and that’s a promise. If you ever make bras, camisoles, socks, nighties I would buy them too! Happy birthday and many happy returns of the day to you all! X
  
  May 27, 2015
- El says...
  
  “
  
  I love WMYP for so many reasons; the funny way you write on social media, the wonderful ethics behind the product, the amazing pants, the fact that the materials are all reclaimed, the wonderful women who work in such a strong team to produce the gorgeous pants and the way I feel like a superwoman when I wear your pants! Thank you all and happy birthday x
  
  May 27, 2015
- Ellie says...
  
  “
  
  Thank you for making my bum feel nice, every day! :)
  
  May 27, 2015
- Liz says...
  
  “
  
  Just found out its your birthday so hurrah and happy days to you all
  You women have seriously upgraded me and my bottom to some of the lovliest knickers I have ever worn
  I will always support you and I will never buy my Knicks from anywhere else
  Fab business with fab ethics
  
  May 27, 2015
- Sue Jelleyman says...
  
  “
  
  Many many happy returns to all you wonderful people at WMYP. I love the pants you have made for me because they are comfy, ethical funky, and fun - then to top it all each and every pair is just plain gorgeous - and we all need gorgeousness every day, not just for birthdays. Thank you and love you all!
  
  May 27, 2015
- Jenny Spouge says...
  
  “
  
  Happy, happy birthday
  My new Plumbery Salsa just zing - I am going to start wearing red and purple together now. See: you cause us all to be fashion rebels! More power to your elbows!
  
  May 27, 2015
- Elspeth says...
  
  “
  
  Happy Birthday Who Made Your Pants! Your pants are simply wonderful - comfy, colourful, sexy and fun. I wear them to run half marathons, abseil off cliffs, to sit in a hide for hours watching birds, for long hours at a computer, and for longer hours having fun. They make tough days a bit brighter, and good days even better. Thank you for your excellent design, fit, fabric choice, stitching, packaging, and all the other marvellous aspects of this kind company. I hope to help keep you in business for many years!
  
  May 27, 2015
- gill says...
  
  “
  
  Happy Pants day to you
  Squashed chick peas and stew
  You look like a hero
  And you act like one too
  
  Tell the team they are AWESOME - Power to the PANTS!
  Xxxx
  
  May 27, 2015
- Jo says...
  
  “
  
  I love Who Made Your Pants for so many reasons- the ethics, the passion, but most importantly the very comfy, pretty pants! Wishing you all the best for the future- and that more companies follow your lead! X
  
  May 27, 2015
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