When Susana, owner of P’tit Affair, moved to Sandwell, she quickly saw the potential to turn her long-held passion for fashion into a business.
Having always struggled to find high-quality clothes that truly fit petite women, she set out to create P’tit Affair: a brand designed from the ground up for women 5’3” and under, rather than scaled down from standard sizes.
Inspired by British heritage and lifestyle, P’tit Affair blends the elegance of countryside traditions with the practicality needed for modern city life.
The support
To bring her vision to life, Susana applied to our Sandwell Enterprise Programme, delivered by Aspire4U, which gave her access to expert advice, peer support and funding guidance. With our help, she secured a £3,000 Sandwell Council grant, which helped her to begin designing and producing her first collection.
Susana explained:
“The Aspire4U programme really felt like destiny. I didn’t want to give away equity to private investors and risk losing the brand’s values. The grant allowed me to stay true to my mission of ethical, premium and durable fashion for petites.”
The journey
The road to launch wasn’t without challenges. Susana’s first manufacturer went into administration, leaving her with financial losses and a huge decision to make. But determined to continue, she rebuilt production with ethical partners in Portugal, where every item is crafted using premium fabrics under fair working conditions.
The debut collection features:
- A midi dress (in two colours)
- Tailored shorts
- A classic T-shirt
- The Saudade Tote Bag – a Portuguese-inspired, foldable accessory
Each piece is designed in the UK and tested for durability.
The impact
The launch in 2025 has already generated strong interest, with pre-orders open and plans to expand into the EU by the end of the year. P’tit Affair is proudly based in Sandwell, with ambitions to become the go-to international brand for petite women.
Susana says Sandwell has been the perfect place to start:
“Looking ahead, I’d love to expand into the EU and US, but our home will always be Sandwell. Who knows, maybe we can become the Gymshark of Sandwell? Premium fashion for petites, born right here”
Looking ahead
With aspirations to expand into global markets, Susana remains committed to keeping Sandwell as the home of P’tit Affair. Her story highlights not only the power of determination and creativity but also the impact of council-backed support in turning bold ideas into reality.
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