Hello Lingerie Lover,
I fell in love with lingerie long before I had anyone to wear it for. For me lingerie has always been something that I wear more for myself and how it makes me feel, rather than for someone else and how it makes them feel.
That is why I decided to specialize in Intimate Apparel Design when I studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. I knew from a young age that lingerie was my calling, but was disillusioned when I started working in corporate fashion and realized that talented designers are often asked to knock off other people's work instead of creating anything original. I created Thistle and Spire as a sanctuary where I could create the bold, innovative designs that I wanted to wear.
I grew up during the heroin-chic '90s followed by the early-2000s angel era, and the unachievable beauty standards of the time severely affected my self worth as a young woman. It is so important to me that Thistle and Spire challenges conventional beauty standards, so that the next generation doesn’t feel that way that I did growing up. This has only become more important to me in recent years because I am the mother of two girls, and I want them to live in a world where they don’t equate their self worth with their dress size.
"I was also raised very catholic, constantly receiving messages that sexuality should be shrouded in shame, especially if it's not in a heteronormative context. Thistle and Spire's sex-positive, pro-LGBTQIA+ ethos is my rebellion against that."
I started Thistle and Spire when I was only 27 with a few thousand dollars and a dream. We never had deep pocketed investors which meant we needed to be very scrappy for many years but it also meant that I could create the company that I wanted on my own terms. It wasn’t easy, but I’m so glad that I took the path I did to get here. I'm humbled by how far we’ve come, and I’m so grateful for you, our customers, for your ongoing support.
With awe and gratitude,
Maggie
she/her
@maggiesaysgoforit
Founder and CEO, Thistle and Spire