Not Just Gym, Weybridge
Charlotte Elliott
Budding fashion and active wear designer Charlotte, 24, from St George’s Avenue, Weybridge has taken a leap into her dream career to inspire women across Surrey to get active, through the launch of boutique, Not Just Gym
Fashion designer Charlotte sources global fitness brands and brings them to the UK to sell in the Queen’s Road boutique, which she runs in partnership with her Dad, Mark. It is the only store in the UK to showcase California’s Onzie, Australia’s Lorna Jane and New York’s Alala fitness collections.
Onzie from Not Just Gym
Charlotte loved to keep fit when she was a child but lacking confidence in her body, the gym was a daunting place:
“I wasn’t very confident in my body when I was younger and so going to the gym was quite a daunting experience. It was wearing flattering gym kit that helped my training and confidence levels. But finding this kit proved very tricky.
“As I grew up, the markets changed and collections became more fashionable and flattering, prints more flamboyant. My friends and I visited the gym with confidence and felt proud to be expressing our personalities through our training kit.
Onzie from Not Just Gym
"There’s nothing better than looking forward to your session if you’re excited to plan your workout wardrobe!”
Having travelled the world, this young, energetic English designer has been exposed to the best active wear collections around.
Lorna Jane
“I love spotting the hottest trends. From Onzie’s wild prints, to Lorna Jane’s beautifully inspiring pieces, I want to show women of all ages just how much they can enjoy their wardrobe and how empowering the right outfit can be.”
As head receptionist at a local premium health club, Charlotte says: “It’s incredible to see women walking into the gym in brands and prints that I have sourced and brought into the UK. My Dad and I buy a wide range of styles but only stock small numbers allowing local women to really feel exclusive in their purchases.
"There’s nothing worse than treating yourself to a cool new outfit, only to rock up at the gym to find two other people wearing the same thing!”
Her dream doesn’t stop there: “I want to design and launch my own collection,” confirms Charlotte.
“My dream is to see women and girls across the UK wearing my active wear range, feeling confident in their own bodies. Every girl should feel beautiful, independent and strong every day. Fashion has the power to do that.”
Charlotte works in partnership with her father and Director of Not Just Gym, Mark Elliott. The store was opened in October 2014, catering for women of all ages, shapes and sizes – it’s the only place to see, feel and try on inspirational active wear for the real you.
To find out more, visit www.notjustgym.com
