Meet Lennon
Serial entrepreneur Bisma Bhatti founded Lennon, in May, 2021. She designed Lennon as a capsule collection of timeless pieces that would combat the waste of fast-fashion. Her goal was to create a complete and sustainable wardrobe that would stand the test of time.
The slogan “Free of Gender. Full of Love. #LennonForAll” is something that Bisma is exceptionally passionate about. Her belief that ‘gender is a social construct’ was paramount in designing this line, so choosing an androgynous name for the company was equally as important.
Why a children’s line? Bisma felt that if she were entering the world of fashion, she had a responsibility to create inclusive sizing. Until she was able to master the perfect fit for all, she had, according to her, “no business being in that space”. Children’s clothing however providing the unique advantage of “standardized sizing” up to a certain age, so Bisma decided to launch a kids line.
Bisma’s commitment to sustainability is also apparent with Lennon’s “Trade In, Sustainably” program. After you’ve handed down your Lennon garments, you are encouraged to send them back so the company can sustainably recycle portions for future garments. In return, you’ll receive 10% off your next order.
#LennonForAll
How and why did you found Lennon?
I wanted to design a truly sustainable, timeless, and inclusive brand for children. I was sick of seeing gendered, low-quality, trend-based fashion that was ending up in landfills after a few wears. My goal was to create a line of clothing that would be versatile enough to be worn through all seasons, comfortable enough to play in, but also fashionable enough to be shown off! And so, Lennon was born!
What is the overall mission & vision behind Lennon?
The mission and vision were simple for this one – I wanted to design as a capsule collection of timeless pieces that combat the waste of fast-fashion, and create a complete and sustainable wardrobe that would stand the test of time. My mission was to create a line that was free of gender, and full of love for all.
What inspired the name?
I’ve always loved the name Lennon – it’s classic, timeless, and androgynous which is so important to me! These qualities are everything that my brand embodies so it was a perfect fit and just felt “right”.
What has been the response from the public so far?
The response has been incredible! I could not be more grateful for the feedback and praise I’ve received thus far. People love that the line is gender-free. Some love it for what it really means, and others love it for the convenience of passing down clothing from sibling to sibling, regardless of the sex. Everyone loves the fast that Lennon is a collection of timeless pieces that won’t go out of style, and most people have asked for adult versions of the trench coats! The “Trade In, Sustainably” program has also been a huge hit – people love that we are slowly eliminating waste! Overall, I am thrilled and could not be more proud!
What do you enjoy about being a small business owner/entrepreneur?
I’ve been an entrepreneur since the age of 20 and although it has not been glamorous 100% of the time, I could not be more grateful for this journey, the learning experiences, and the opportunities and success that have come from founding small-businesses in various sectors. The most rewarding aspect of being a small business owner is that I get to know my customers, and I am able to take their feedback and take action on it right away. There’s no red-tape when you only answer to yourself!
Future plans for Lennon? What can the public look forward to?
As a company, I would love to see Lennon available in small, independently owned boutiques all across Canada, but also in Nordstrom! But as a brand, I would like to be able to support children and youth who are struggling with “gender identity” and to provide a safe-space for them to just be kids!