HARD-WORKING businesswomen who carved out a career by selling clothes from their friends’ homes and hosting one-off events have opened a new shop.

Lesley Oxley and Alisa Sugden began selling clothes four years ago, after their children left home to begin their own careers.

Both seized upon their love for fashion and decided to start hosting pop-up clothes parties in people’s homes.

It began with a get together with friends, with the industrious pair taking along rails of clothes and Prosecco.

Lesley said: “It became so popular that we were getting requests all over the place via our social media.

“We were soon doing pop-up boutiques in spa retreats, festivals and charity events.

“Every time we showed up, women were asking us if we had a shop - but the answer was always ‘no’.”

The pair decided to rectify this and recently opened the Girls Wardrobe, in Connaught Avenue, Frinton.

Thanks largely to the hard work of Lesley’s husband Bruce, a vacant shop underwent a transformation into a “pretty boutique”.

“We have been overwhelmed by the support both from locals and people from further afield,” added Lesley.

“We are still sticking to our initial concept which has always been to cater for women of all ages.

“Our customers are of all different ages and sizes, so we aim to continue to source many different styles, fashions and looks.”