Ashington onesie pioneers hoping for female entrepreneur title

Two women, who spearheaded a new international fashion craze, are hoping their achievements will be recognised this week at a prestigious awards event.

The All-in-One Company started making onesies for adults five years ago and has gone from strength-to-strength. It now employs 21 people, has customers in more than 150 countries and last year exceeded £1m in turnover.

The business, based in Ashington, was the brainchild of Kate Dawson who has been supported from the beginning by production manager Edith Gibson.

Now the pair have been short-listed for North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in the Small Business and Key Woman categories.

“I’m so proud of Edith. She’s been at the heart of the company from the very start,” said Kate. “I had the idea for our products and some experience in business. Edith brought fantastic experience and skills from her years working for clothing manufacturers.”

The All-in-One Company has been praised by Wansbeck MP Ian Lavery during a House of Commons debate about the region’s economy and it has been highlighted by the principal of Northumberland College as the example of a new breed of business which will bring prosperity back to the area.

Its all-in-ones have been worn by Olympic medal winners, top boy band Union J and presenters and contestants in the biggest UK television reality shows.

Edith said: “Five years ago nobody would have imagine that adults would start wearing onesies. I always thought it was a good idea, but I didn’t think it would be as successful as quickly as it has been.

“One of the best things about the company is that it is helping to ensure traditional skills like cutting, embroidery and machining – which were in danger of dying out – are surviving. It’s meant work for a lot of experienced people who thought their days of working in this industry were over, as well as a great start for our two apprentices.”

Those traditional skills set the business apart from its competitors. Customers design their all-in-ones through the company website. They are then handmade by Kate and Edith’s team at their factory in North Seaton.

“It would be fantastic if we won and a nice way to celebrate our fifth birthday,” said Kate. “But win or lose we’ll keep our feet on the ground. There were a lot of doubters when we started out, but I hope we’ve silenced them now.

“We have fantastic support from people like Ian Lavery and the college, but the business is still relatively new and we have a long way to go.”

The North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2013 take place at the Gateshead Hilton on November 15.