Gate · PRESS 05Doc Ref · WB/PR/2026● Updated 06 May
PressDesktell the story.
Working on a piece about big-weekend culture, fancy dress, group-outfit kit, the rise of personalised tees, or independent UK retail? Pitching a collab? We respond to every press enquiry within 5 working days. Founder available for comment.
The Quick RoutesWB · PR · DESK
Founder
D. Seward
Available for comment, Q&A, and short-form interviews
Based
Reading, UK
HQ + warehouse
5 Tree Close
Tilehurst RG30 4TG
HQ + warehouse
5 Tree Close
Tilehurst RG30 4TG
Visits by appointment
01GATE
What we cover
Brief · the lanes we knowWe're not for every story — but we're a useful source on themed-event apparel, group outfits, the UK Big Weekender ecosystem, fancy dress retail, and small-DTC supply chains. Anything outside those lanes, we'll point you at someone better.
- Themed eventsButlin's Big Weekenders, hen and stag dos, festivals, decade nights, Pride, Eurovision, World Cup fan kit
- Group outfitsHow squads dress for events · why personalised has displaced generic costumes · the economics of group-buy
- UK retailAuthorised Smiffys partner perspective · UK printing-on-demand · independent retail vs Amazon/marketplaces
02GATE
Founder & quotes
Brief · the humanDarren Seward · founder, Weekender Brands Ltd. Available for written comment, short Q&A, telephone or video interview by arrangement. Useful for stories on UK indie retail, themed-event culture, the post-Covid weekender boom, and the economics of squad apparel.
- FormatWritten quotes (fastest), email Q&A, phone or video interview by appointment
- Lead time2 working days for written quotes · 5 days for interview slots · faster on breaking topics
- StyleDirect, on-the-record, named-attribution OK · we don't do "industry source" anonymity
- BioAvailable on request — short and long versions
03GATE
Press kit
Brief · the assetsFree press kit available on request: logos (PNG, SVG, on light + dark), product photography, founder headshot, brand fact sheet (founding date, registration, growth metrics where shareable). Email and we'll send a Drive link.
- LogosPNG & SVG · light & dark variants · Dress Loud, Dressed For It, Weekender Brands Ltd
- PhotographyLifestyle shots from real Big Weekender events · product on white · UK warehouse and printing process · all rights cleared for editorial use
- Founder headshotThree angles · 2024 + 2026 versions · all credit-free for editorial use
- Brand factsFounding, supplier relationships, growth metrics where we can share, sustainability info
- FormatGoogle Drive link sent within 24 hours · let us know what publication / piece for context
04GATE
Story angles
Brief · what's interestingUseful angles we have data, customers and a founder available for. If you've got a different angle, ask — we'd rather say "no, but try X" than ghost.
- Big Weekender boomThe post-Covid surge in UK adult-themed weekend breaks · why Butlin's events sell out 9 months ahead · what the squad-trip economy looks like in 2026
- Personalised displaces fancy dressWhy customers increasingly choose group-printed tees over costume hire · cost, comfort, photo-readiness
- Hen / stag economyUK average spend, format shifts (less Amsterdam, more Newcastle/Edinburgh), how outfits drive group bookings
- Indie vs Amazon retailHow small UK retailers compete with marketplace giants on speed + curation · the case for direct-from-supplier models
- Authorised Smiffys partnerWhat it means · how it differs from grey-market costume retail · the supply chain behind UK fancy dress
05GATE
Contact
Brief · how to reach usEmail is fastest. Phone is fine for breaking-story requests. We don't have a publicist — you'll be talking direct to the team or the founder.
- Press emailhello@dressloud.co.uk · subject line "Press" or "Interview" or "Quote request"
- Phone0118 203 0818 · Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00 GMT · ask for the press desk
- What to includePublication / outlet · piece angle and deadline · whether you need a quote / interview / photography
Desk 05 · Open Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00
Looking for the
parent company?
Weekender Brands Ltd is the legal entity behind Dress Loud + Dressed For It. Company number, registered office, group facts.
About Weekender Brands →
Mailing List · DL/SUBSCRIBE
Newsletter · Drop-in alerts
The weekly drop.
Every week, one email: what's on, what's selling, what's about to ship. Upcoming Big Weekenders, hen and stag dates we're seeing in orders, festival drops, group-discount pushes, restocks on the costumes that always sell out. One email, mid-week, no padding. Easy unsubscribe, GDPR-compliant.