Shock and sadness as closure of Donegal clothing brand is announced

News of the closure of Donegal Town athleisure wear brand FitPink has been met with shock and with a flood of support for its founder, Jenni Timony-Gallagher.

The company revolutionised fitness wear for women, especially sports leggings, proudly stating: ‘high-waisted, squat-proof, supportive, with pockets where you need them. Leggings that move with you, hold their shape, and feel good from morning to night.’ 

FitPink has also been uncompromising on its strong ethos of sustainability. 

However, it is an incredibly tough time for businesses for a range of reasons.

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Jenni made the shock announcement in an emotional video on the company’s social media.

“I am coming with sad news today; I am closing FitPInk,” she said. “We are starting a closing down sale as of now.

“It’s just been incredibly difficult since the start of the year really, with Shein and Temu having an impact, and the cost of living crisis, just the perfect storm. 

“My trade is really low and I can’t continue. 

“I just wanted to thank absolutely everybody who has supported us since 2020. We have the most amazing customers from Donegal to Killarney - Kerry, Cork, and everywhere in between. You ladies have been fantastic and it has been a pleasure to work with you and to supply you.

“I would love to continue but I have not been taking a salary out of FitPink for the last two years and I have been putting money into it to try and keep it going for as long as I can. I can’t do that any longer. 

“Thanks everybody, and shop the sale to stock up on your favourites.”

FitPink opened in 2019 and was an instant hit with women of all ages, shapes and sizes thanks to the thoughtful design process behind FitPink’s leading item, its sport leggings. Coming in a range of lengths and sizes, they were designed so that women no longer had to compromise on fit, comfort or style. 

Jenni was inspired by how difficult it was finding leggings that worked for her after the birth of her fourth child.

“I had just had my fourth baby, getting back into my exercise, bought the big brand leggings, but they were little-waisted, no pockets, they didn’t fit, and they didn’t flatter my postpartum body,” she said previously in sharing the story of the brand.

“I thought, surely I can do better than that.”

Two years later, from a sketch of her ideal leggings through two years of research and design, FitPink was launched with two styles of leggings that remained the company’s best sellers. 

With the onset of the pandemic, many women whether working or on furlough, were swapping office wear for athleisure. Comfortable and stylish, FitPink was the perfect fit for this new lifestyle. 

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As life returned to normal, sales dropped dramatically but extensions to the FitPink range helped strengthen the company, with products ranging from sports bras to t-shirts, vest tops, cosy hoodies, fleeces, long sleeve tops, and comfortable office wear. 

However, the availability of cheap goods from the Far East and the current economic climate have proved too much for many independent businesses here in Donegal, and sadly, FitPink is the latest to have to close its doors.

This is a stark reminder to  support local shops and businesses here in Donegal when we can, and to value companies that make efforts to be sustainable in terms of product, packaging and shipping.

The closing down sale is live online at fitpinkfitness.com and in store at Donegal Town Business Park, Lough Eske Road, Donegal Town, F94 AEA4.

Messages of Support

Here is a flavour of the flood of support with which Jenni’s announcement has been met:

“Oh my goodness I’m so sorry to hear this news. I've so many pairs of Fit Pink leggings. Wore them in all my marathons. Best there is. Devastated for you Jenni and all at Fit Pink.” - Glenda McGinty

“Very sorry to hear that Jenni but you will be back again. Hard to do business these days for sure, so many obstacles out there. You've been a great Ambassador to others for enterprise and innovation and for women in business. Be proud of that.” - Finbar Rock

“Sorry to hear this Jenni, it’s extremely challenging for businesses in this country, you have already achieved so much and wishing you the best for the future.” - Sinead McGowan

“Ah Jenni so sorry to hear that. We all loved Fit Pink. Take time out for yourself and your family.” - Edel Murchan

“So so sorry to see this. I love love love my Fit Pink compression leggings and have done my best to recommend them to everyone I know especially as you are a local business. Wishing you all the best in the future, I'm sure it's a very tough day so look after yourself xx” - Maria McElwaine

“Jenni so very sorry to read this, it’s extremely tough out there and sadly the cost of doing business is greater than ever with little or no support from the government. If your ever in the shop let me know I would love to catch up with you, Sandra x” - Sandra Devenney