Love them or loathe them, Spanx has become a wardrobe staple for millions of women looking for that smooth, sculpted silhouette. But where did it all start? We’re going back to 1998, when Sarah Blakely, armed with nothing but a pair of scissors, a pair of sheer tights, and a frustration with visible panty lines, created what would become one of the most successful fashion inventions of all time.

Blakely had zero experience in fashion or business, but that didn’t stop her from building a billion-dollar empire. Spanx gave women a secret confidence boost, smoothing lumps and bumps without the need for complicated corsetry. But as the brand skyrocketed, so did the criticism. Does shapewear empower women, or does it reinforce impossible beauty standards? Are we choosing to wear it for us, or is it just another symptom of a world that still expects women to ‘fix’ their natural bodies?

Beyond the spandex and control panels, we’re also looking at the ethics behind the brand, Blakely’s surprising generosity when she sold the company, how Spanx compares to the growing trend of body positivity, and whether the shapewear industry still has a place in 2024. Are we all secretly still reaching for our Bridget Jones-style big knickers, or is it time to ditch the squeeze and let it all hang out? Let’s get into it!

About Simon and Danielle:

Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.

Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003.

Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009.

Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.

Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.