Small Biz Realities: Life Behind a UK Slow Fashion Brand

Running a small business isn’t all glitter, sewing machines, and photo shoots (though we love those bits too). Behind the scenes, there’s a lot of graft, late nights, and tough decisions that sometimes make zero sense financially - but they make total sense for who we are as a brand.

At Burnt Soul, we’ve built everything around longevity, confidence, and connection. We care deeply about the people who wear our clothes, the planet, and the values that shape our studio.

That’s why we wanted to share a few of the realities of running a slow fashion business - the parts you might not see on the surface, but that define who we are.

This month, we’re lifting the lid on three of them: Alterations, International Shipping, and Why We Don’t Do End-of-Season Sales.

 Our Burnt Soul studio in Newquay — where the magic happens!

1. Alterations - Giving Our Pieces a Second Life

Every so often, a much-loved catsuit finds its way back to the Burnt Soul studio for a little TLC - maybe a zip has given up mid-dance floor, or a panel needs some love after years of adventures. 

These pieces tell stories. They’ve been worn, danced in, and lived in. And when we can, we love giving them a second life!

It’s not a service that makes much financial sense because alterations take hours of careful unpicking, re-stitching, and precision. Stretch fabrics don’t make it easy! But it’s part of our ethos to help our pieces last as long as possible.

We can’t offer it all the time (there just aren’t enough hours in the day), but when we do, it’s because we care about creating clothes that last.

“We want every Burnt Soul piece to have longevity. If something breaks, we’ll always try to help where we can - because every repair is one less outfit going to waste.”

- Robyn Lythe, Founder

Because at the end of the day, sustainability isn’t just about how we make things - it’s about how we keep them going.

 Taking Burnt Soul on the road

2. International Shipping - The Rollercoaster of Running a Small Brand

We’re constantly blown away by how far Burnt Soul has travelled - from our UK studio to customers in Australia, the US, and all across Europe. Seeing our pieces light up festivals and performances around the world is the best feeling!

But international shipping as a small brand? It’s… a bit of a rollercoaster. Especially as of late [if you know, you know!].

Between rising courier prices, customs delays, and unpredictable import fees, getting your Burnt Soul safely across borders takes time, care, and (honestly) a few deep breaths.

We know international shipping can be pricey - and trust us, we wish it wasn’t! But as a small brand, we don’t get the bulk discounts or global networks that the big guys do. Every single international order is packed by hand, checked twice, and sent with huge gratitude.

So whether you’re rocking your Burnt Soul on a beach in Byron Bay or at a rave in Reykjavík — thank you for being part of this global community of confident souls.

Read more on how we have recently updated International Shipping here.

3. Why We Don’t Do End-of-Season Sales

This one always sparks questions - but here’s the honest truth: big seasonal sales just don’t fit with the way we do business.

Unlike large retailers, we don’t mass-produce or hold piles of leftover stock. Every Burnt Soul piece is made in small batches, often to order, right here in the UK. That means there’s rarely anything to “clear.”

But even more than that - we believe our work, our fabrics, and the craftsmanship behind each piece deserve to be valued fairly, all year round.

Sales culture often undervalues creativity and encourages overproduction. We want to break that cycle - by focusing on quality, longevity, and pieces that transcend trends and seasons.

We’d rather reward our community in other ways - with limited edition drops, early access, or archive releases - instead of deep discounts.

Read more on this here.

 Shop the collection here

The Bigger Picture - What Burnt Soul Stands For

Alterations, shipping, sales - they might sound like the boring logistics of business, but for us, they represent what Burnt Soul truly stands for: doing things differently, doing them with care, and staying true to our values even when it’s not the easy route.

We’re endlessly grateful for the community that supports that - the people who see the love in every stitch, every email, and every catsuit that leaves our studio.

So here’s to you, our Burnt Souls Babes - for believing in small business, slow fashion, and the kind of confidence that lasts!