Meet Jayne Lasley - Founder of Fairlie Curved!

Fashion should be empowering, not restrictive. Yet, for so many women with fuller busts, finding clothing that fits beautifully—without compromising on style—has been a constant struggle. This is exactly what led Jayne Lasley, founder of Fairlie Curved to take matters into her own hands.

What started as a university project turned into a passion, and years later, a chance rediscovery of old designs during the pandemic reignited the dream. After decades of fashion failing to serve fuller-bust women properly, Fairlie Curved was born—offering stylish, well-fitting, and confidence-boosting clothing designed to celebrate curves, not hide them.

In this interview, we explore the journey behind Fairlie Curved, the challenges of launching a brand, and why creating fashion that truly fits matters now more than ever.

1. What inspired you to launch Fairlie Curved, and what was missing in the fashion industry that you wanted to change?

I was inspired to create a brand catering for fuller bust girls while I was studying fashion at Heriot Watt University, in particular clothing for small band, big cup sizes as I had always struggled to get clothing to fit my 30HH shape.  My maiden name was Fairlie, so I called the range Fairlie Curved.  The reaction from my lectures was fantastic, but I was offered a job in fashion buying the same week that I graduated and I never took the range forward.  It wasn’t until I found my old designs in my garage during the pandemic that I realised after 20 years, there was still a huge gap in the market for affordable fuller bust clothing.  Initially I set up a styling page on instagram, calling it Fairlie Curved, giving hints and tips on how to dress with a fuller bust, but very quickly my followers started asking for a clothing range and the rest is history.

 

2. How do you approach designing pieces that not only fit beautifully but also empower women to feel their best?

Fit is first and foremost, after years of working as a fashion buyer, I’m aware what shapes work and regardless of trends, that’s where we start.   I am also very keen to create a timeless range that can be worn time and time again. 

3. What are some of the biggest misconceptions about dressing for curves, and how do you challenge them through your brand?

The biggest misconception for me, is curvy means plus size, but you can be a curvy size 8 or 10.  I am a size 10 in the body, but have had to buy size 14 or sometimes 16 tops just to fit my bust in the past.  At Fairlie Curved we add the extra measurements into the chest area, so our customers can buy their dress size, without having to size up for their chests.  We also now stock curve friendly jeans, which take curvy hips and bottoms into account, so a lady with a small waist, can still order her waist size and the jeans will fit her bottom, thighs and hips.

4. What are the essential wardrobe pieces every curvy woman should own?

A well fitting bra that suits your shape.  8 out of 10 women are still wearing the wrong bra size and being properly measured and fitted can literally change the way your body looks in clothes. Some of our customers have dropped dress sizes after being fitted in the correct size.  A very simple check is to add 20 to your dress size to get your band size. If you are wearing a band size much bigger than that, we would suggest your bra band size is too big and cup size is too small.  80% of support comes from the band, so you want that as firm as possible.  Most ladies think their band is too small causing it to dig in, but usually it’s too big and the pain is coming from the friction of the band moving. It is so important to get this right before you even think about a capsule wardrobe, so we now offer bra fitting at our head office.  Once you have a well fitting, comfortable bra you can start adding the core wardrobe pieces - well fitted, bra friendly vest & tshirt. Great fitting jeans, blazer and wrap dress and you can build from there.

5. Handbags are a key part of any outfit—do you think certain bag styles complement different body shapes?

Absolutely - a large statement bag is perfect for a fuller bust, I also love crossbody bags for my shape too, both can draw the eye away from your chest and balance out your shape.  The same can be said for other body shapes too.  I use a lot of distraction techniques when dressing my fuller bust and attention grabbing handbags are ideal for that.

6. Sarah Haran’s philosophy is ‘One bag, endless looks’—how important is versatility in your wardrobe, and how do you incorporate this into Fairlie Curved?

Starting a business from scratch, during a global pandemic was not easy, it’s also very difficult in the early stages to meet factory minimums, so from a business point of view, creating timeless, versatile garments, that can be worn and styled multiple ways, means we can keep those items in our range for longer, which ultimately helps with meeting factory minimums and stocking a range that won’t date or need marked down regularly.  I also think fashion businesses need to be more responsible for the environment and creating products that are timeless, will last longer, and are versatile, is our way of helping towards the wear once ethos that was once on trend and is so damaging to the environment.  I repeatedly mention the “pounds per wear” theory during my outfits of the day on instagram, to highlight if you divide the numbers of different ways you will wear a garment over the years, the cost per wear reduces dramatically.  I have some Fairlie Curved dresses that now owe me money :)

7. As a founder, what have been some of your biggest challenges in building Fairlie Curved, and what keeps you going?

Time is a constant challenge.  I am a very, very busy mum of two, our daughter is 16 and our son is 13 and I remember a colleague telling me years ago, “you think your children need you when they are young, but they need you more than ever when they are teens” and although my children are much more independent now, I want to be there every day when they get home from school.  I know I don’t have many years left of them being at home and I don’t want to miss a second of it. So running a business and being a very present Mum is a big pressure I put on myself.  Sometimes I feel like I don’t stop, or switch off, but I love the flexibility running my own business can give me and my family and right now that is my priority.  I know I’ll have lots of hours I can fill with work once they have moved out and are living their own lives.

8. Both Fairlie Curved and Sarah Haran focus on creating products that make women feel joyful and confident—why do you think this is so important in fashion?

Our Google reviews literally bring me to tears, very happy tears.  To know I’ve created a range of clothing that women feel has changed their lives and the way they feel about their bodies is the most important thing to me.  Clothing should make you feel great, not bad about yourself or your body.  Most of our fuller bust customers have all left shops close to tears, we call it the changing room trauma - so to know our clothing takes away that dread and brings joy is the most important thing for us.  Creating the perfect fit is so simple but so important and completely missed on the high street.  We are so pleased we can fill that gap for our customers who now feel seen & heard by Fairlie Curved, but most importantly confident when they wear our pieces.

9. If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self about style and confidence, what would it be?

Don’t ever go out without a bra on, then get those shoulders back, boobs up and smile.

10. What’s one message you’d love every woman to take away from your brand and your journey?

Don’t give up on your dreams.  It took me 20 years to finally bring Fairlie Curved to life.  If I can do it, during a global pandemic, while in my 40s and raising a family, you can too.