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Brand Spotlight: Jelly The Pug

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Today, Jelly The Pug is a beloved brand known for its unique kids’ apparel. But once upon a time, founder Diane McAllister was a mom who made clothes for her own kids on her kitchen table. It took a little serendipity for Jelly The Pug to become the company it is today.

After a chance encounter over a used car advertisement, Diane met her future business partner, Adnan K. Mehmood at a small coffee shop in Manhattan Beach. When he asked her why she was selling her car, Diane explained that she was trying to raise enough capital to launch her own business. She showed him the clothing samples she had brought with her and Adnan watched as people stopped eating just to admire them. He was interested, and so was his brother, Adeel Mehmood.

The three of them decided to take a huge leap of faith and become partners. They knew nothing about the children’s apparel business, but Adnan had full faith in the uniqueness of Diane’s designs. He was soon proved right. At their very first trade show, they met a buyer from a small, children’s apparel start-up – zulily! Jelly The Pug was one of our first sales, and it was an instant hit.

So what makes Jelly The Pug so special? We think it’s because Diane, Adnan and Adeel are involved with every phase of the apparel-making process, from monitoring cotton quality to designing all of their prints. Diane gives each item as much detail as possible, with sashes, extra ruffles, bias-tape trims and layers that are perfect for twirling.

Diane says, “I want to help girls feel confident and proud to be themselves. I try to mix colors and patterns that are unique so every girl feels different in a positive and creative way.”

We think she’s managed to accomplish just that. At Jelly The Pug, Diane, Adnan and Adeel are thinking big. They’ve made a mark on the kids’ apparel world because of their distinctive style and they want moms to stay excited about what they have to offer. They’re planning to introduce new fabrics, embellishments and exciting lines like mommy and me, denim and daily wear.

Jelly The Pug may be growing bigger and better, but at its heart it’s still a simple company shared by two families. They love that they can share their clothing creations with families across the United States. Diane explained, “What I love best are all the pictures the families send to me. They choose Jelly the Pug dresses to mark important life events. I keep all of them. I am truly honored people choose our dresses for birthdays and special occasions.”