As part of the Morning Lazziness series highlighting empowering women who are making a remarkable impact with their ideas, I had the pleasure of interviewing Kristen Allen.
Kristen Allen is the founder and president of Exclusively Kristen, a fashion brand dedicated to creating stylish, high-quality clothing designed specifically for women with fuller busts. Recognizing the persistent fit challenges faced by this underserved market, Kristen set out to design pieces that combine impeccable tailoring, comfort, and style—without compromise. With a commitment to thoughtful design and premium craftsmanship, she has grown Exclusively Kristen into a trusted destination for bust-friendly fashion, empowering women to look and feel their best in every outfit.
In this interview, she delves into the challenges, successes, and wisdom she has gained from over a decade of transforming online businesses.
What inspired you to become an entrepreneur in the fashion industry, and what led to the creation of your brand or product line?
My journey began with a personal frustration that I’ve had since my teen years, and so many women with fuller busts share. I was tired of the endless cycle of trying on clothes and feeling disappointed. Button-down shirts gaped, knit tops stretched in all the wrong places, and the “solution” was always to size up, leaving me with a waist and shoulders that looked boxy and ill-fitting. It felt like I was constantly compromising my style for a fit that was, at best, a compromise. I remember, as a teen, going to my fashion-trendy store in the mall and trying on a cute bustier top only to frustratingly exclaim, “Why can’t they make shirts for big boobs?!” The seed had been planted…
I realized there was a huge gap in the market for clothing that was specifically designed to solve these problems without sacrificing style. Exclusively Kristen was born out of a desire to create a brand that empowers women to stop compromising. I wanted to build a line of clothing where sophistication starts with the right fit, and where every piece makes you feel polished and confident, not just “covered.”
As a woman navigating the fashion business world, what unique challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge has been shifting the narrative. The fashion industry often focuses on “plus-size” as a general category, but my mission is much more specific. It’s about designing for a body type—the fuller bust—that often gets overlooked in both traditional and plus-size markets. I’ve had to educate everyone from manufacturers to investors on the unique fit challenges we’re solving. I’ve overcome this by focusing on our core pillars: quality and a deep understanding of our customer.
Another difficulty is financing. Black women entrepreneurs receive a very small percentage of venture capital funding, less than 1% of total investment. Therefore, scaling the brand has been difficult due to lack of access to capital.
Fashion can be both trend-driven and intensely competitive—how do you maintain your personal well-being while growing your brand?
I do “self-care Sundays,” which encompasses a monthly massage, a weekly ayurvedic hair treatment, learning new things, or relaxing. I try to disengage from social media and any other distractions. The focus is in mental, intellectual, and physical improvement.
Which networking strategies, communities, or industry partnerships have helped you build meaningful connections in the fashion world?
I’ve found immense value in connecting with other entrepreneurs who understand the unique challenges of building a business from the ground up. When I first started Exclusively Kristen, I was living in NYC and became part of The Brooklyn Fashion + Design Accelerator (BF+DA), which is a Pratt Institute initiative that supports ethical fashion and design businesses. At their events, I developed working relationships with an ethical modeling agency, fabric suppliers and even was in the audience for a panel discussion that included the founder of The Lip Bar as a panelist. I credit my relationship with entrepreneurs and my participation in BF+DA events for flattening the learning curve of starting a business from nothing.
How do you approach mentorship—both as someone learning from others and as a mentor to emerging designers or founders—and how has that shaped your journey?
I’ve found mentors in the most unlikely of places. For example, a man I met at a cafe in Cairo, an American sitting at the next table, suggested I make a jumpsuit, which is now part of my spring collection. A former coworker, a British man of about 60, was so enthusiastic about a minted moss-colored swatch that I decided to use it as one of the colors for our full coverage tank dress, even though I had planned on choosing another. That choice paid off, as it has been popular with our customers. Of course, I’ve also had more traditional mentors in the fashion industry. In the first few years of Exclusively Kristen, I did a lot of pop-up shops and am still in contact with many of the shop owners who hosted them. They were instrumental in helping me with styling, fit, and pricing.
What strategies have worked best for gaining loyal customers and building brand identity in a saturated fashion market?
Authenticity and empathy are key. Our customers are tired of ill-fitting clothes and brands that don’t understand their needs. We build loyalty by deeply understanding their frustrations and then showing them, through our designs, that we have the perfect solution. Our strategy isn’t about selling a product; it’s about offering a feeling—the feeling of being perfectly put-together, confident, and polished. Our taglines, “Polish starts with the right fit” resonates with our audience.
Which marketing techniques (social media, influencer collaborations, editorial features, pop-up events, etc.) have been most effective for your business, and how do you measure their impact?
Our most effective marketing has been through high-quality, aspirational visual content on Instagram. We showcase our garments on models with fuller busts, in settings that speak to our ideal customer’s lifestyle. We also use subtle “before and after” stories in our posts and Stories—not to criticize other brands, but to show how our designs solve common problems like gapping and pulling. This visual storytelling, paired with educational content about our high-end fabrics and tailoring, has proven to be incredibly effective.
Can you share a major setback or turning point in your fashion journey, and how you moved through it with resilience?
I took a five-year hiatus to focus on my career in education. In 2018, I was in debt and still unable to pay myself from Exclusively Kristen. I was flat broke and didn’t know how I was going to pay the rent. An opportunity arose from a job at a school in Shanghai with good pay. I was depressed about what I saw as a failure with Exclusively Kristen, and I think, deep down, I was afraid to fail again. So, I did nothing with the business for five years while I worked overseas. No Facebook or Instagram posts, one newsletter a year for Black Friday, and I was still getting sales. I thought about closing, but a voice told me that I was solving an important problem and needed to continue. In 2023, I stopped feeling sorry for myself and got to work revamping the brand. It paid off: in 2024, Exclusively Kristen’s revenue doubled compared to 2023.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to women just beginning their entrepreneurial path in the fashion industry?
Know your niche and own it. Don’t try to be everything to everyone. Find a problem that you are uniquely passionate about solving and build your brand around that solution. The market is saturated, but a truly unique and well-executed idea will always find its audience.
Is there a quote, mantra, or personal philosophy that guides your decision-making and leadership as a fashion entrepreneur?
My guiding philosophy as a fashion entrepreneur is continuous education. This isn’t just about taking classes; it’s a mindset of being perpetually open to new ideas, feedback, and inspiration. I believe that in the fast-paced world of fashion, the moment you stop learning is the moment you start falling behind.
For me, this philosophy manifests in several ways. I actively seek out feedback from my customers, not just about what they like, but also what they dislike and what they wish they could find. I pay attention to trends, not just in fashion, but also in technology, social media, and consumer behavior. This constant intake of information allows me to stay agile and make informed decisions.
A great example of this came from an unexpected conversation with a colleague who suggested a small design change, a small side slit, to our best-selling One and Only Shirt. At first, I was hesitant because I had just done a pattern change and didn’t want to do another one. However, after thinking it through and seeing the value in her idea, I implemented the change. The revised design was even more successful in decreasing returns, proving that the best ideas can come from anywhere.
Here is our signature question: “What Are The 5 Things You Need To Overcome Self-Doubt and Build Confidence?”
Acknowledge the Problem and Believe in Your Solution.
- Story: In the early days, I would second-guess if the fuller-bust market was big enough to build a business around. I’d have moments of doubt, wondering if I was just creating a solution for my own problem. Then, I’d talk to a friend or a stranger, and they would tell me a story about a shirt that didn’t fit, a dress that pulled across the bust, or a bra strap that was always visible. Their frustration was my validation. I realized this wasn’t just a “me” problem—it was a shared experience. Also, the most sold bra size at the lingerie boutiques that I did pop ups at was a 34G or 34H, which added supporting data to my anecdotal evidence. Researching and believing in the need for our solution was the first step to overcoming my self-doubt.
Focus on Craftsmanship Over Compromise.
- Story: We had a moment where we were considering using a less expensive fabric to reduce our production costs, giving into those “these shirts are so overpriced” comments. It would have meant a slightly thinner knit and less resilient stitching. The voice of doubt said, “No one will notice.” But my inner voice, guided by our brand’s mission, said, “We will notice and our loyal customers will notice.” We stayed with our premium, breathable, and durable cotton knit and double stitching. When a customer wrote to us later, raving about the quality and how her tank top held its shape perfectly, I knew we had made the right choice. Our commitment to quality became a source of pride, not a point of negotiation. Note that those people who complain about your prices are not your customers. We focus on those who appreciate a premium tailored garment.
Embrace the “Why” and Let it Guide You.
- Story: There have been countless times when I’ve felt overwhelmed by the business side—the logistics, the finances, the endless to-do lists, and juggling a full time job on top of it. In those moments, I take a step back and think about the woman who is tired of feeling frumpy or ill-fitting. I think about the professional who needs to feel polished and confident for a big meeting. My “why” is helping her find that confidence. That purpose refocuses my energy and gives me the resilience to tackle the next challenge.
Prioritize Self-Care: Confidence starts from within.
- To overcome self-doubt, it’s crucial to nurture yourself emotionally, mentally, and physically. Self-care isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity for building a strong foundation of self-worth. One effective way to do this is by dedicating time each week for a “Self-Care [fill in the blank day].” This is a time to work on yourself from the inside out. For instance, you could use this day to unplug from social media, meditate, read a book, exercise, or journal about your accomplishments and fears. By consistently taking time to recharge and focus on your inner well-being, you reinforce the message that you are valuable and worthy of attention, which directly combats self-doubt.
Practice Positive Self-Talk and Acknowledge Achievements.
- Self-doubt often stems from a negative inner voice. To combat this, you need to consciously replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations. Instead of thinking, “I can’t do this,” reframe it as, “I’ll give this my best shot and learn something new.” Additionally, make a habit of acknowledging your accomplishments, no matter how small. Keeping a victory journal or a running list of your successes, like a completed project, a tough conversation handled well, or even a personal goal met, can serve as powerful evidence against self-doubt. When you feel a moment of doubt creeping in, you can refer back to this list to remind yourself of your capabilities and resilience.
Almost done! If you could inspire a movement that brings the most good to the most people—through fashion or beyond—what would it be? You never know what your story could spark.
I would inspire a movement called “Fashion with a Purpose.” It’s a movement that encourages both brands and consumers to see clothing as more than just a passing trend. For brands, it’s about designing with a specific, thoughtful purpose—whether it’s solving a fit problem, using sustainable materials, or empowering a community. For consumers, it’s about making mindful, intentional purchases that align with their values and serve them for years, not just one season. This movement would champion quality over quantity, craftsmanship over fast-fashion, and confidence over compromise.
How can our readers further follow your work or support your fashion brand online?
- Readers can explore our collection and discover their perfect fuller bust fit by visiting our website.
- For daily style inspiration, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and to join our empowering community, follow us on Instagram.
