Our Story
The original founders and Roots: Gerard & Annie Haytayan
My father-in-law's journey began with humble beginnings in the Middle East. In 1965, he had a vision: women’s nightwear should be simple, elegant, and affordable for everyone. He started his business by enlisting neighbours to cut and sew nightwear, which he then sold in the bustling markets of Lebanon. This not only created a thriving business but also provided income for those around him, fostering a loyal workforce that eventually grew into multiple factories.
How it started
As his venture took off, he began sourcing fabrics from the UK, Germany, Italy, and other European countries. The designs were cut and sewn in his Lebanese factories before being sold across the Middle East. However, in the 1980s, the escalating volatility in Lebanon forced him to relocate his family to the UK, seeking a safer future for his children. Despite the challenges, he and his wife persevered, determined to improve their products for the UK market.
Family Business
Fast forward, Raffi and his sisters completed their education at universities in the UK. Once it was safe, Raffi returned to Lebanon to work with the remaining factories and learn the family trade—this marked the beginning of his own journey.
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Growing up immersed in the business, my husband was constantly surrounded by conversations about products, fabrics, trends, and bestsellers. After spending two years running the factories in Lebanon, he felt it was time to return to his family in the UK and elevate the business further.
Taking over the business
​​In 2001, Raffi’s parents decided to step down into retirement, paving the way for the next generation. This is where my story intertwines with theirs. I met Raffi while studying design at the London College of Fashion (University of the Arts London). After completing my degree, I joined him in designing new products for the family business.
Launching own brand labels
At this point, Raffi was eager to grow the business further and enhance the legacy his father had created. Together, we began attending trade shows, and Raffi launched a new menswear label, Haigman, followed by two additional brands: Wysteria Lane and Sue Marks.
Shaping a promising future
While the wholesale business thrived, I decided to branch out into retail. This allowed me to connect directly with our long-standing consumers, an aspiration that meant a great deal to us. Through dedication and collaboration, we aimed not just to honour the past but to shape a promising future for the brand.
Wysteria Lane
Let’s begin with the name: We take great care in selecting names for our labels, just as we do for our children, ensuring that each one holds significance and meaning.
For us, nothing is more beautiful than a road draped in wisteria. This lush plant symbolizes love, warmth, creativity, and longevity—qualities we embrace in our nightwear, which we passionately design just for you.
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The long, climbing vines of wisteria are constantly reaching for new knowledge, embodying longevity and endurance. Our brand reflects this spirit, as we tirelessly seek better fabrics and prints to ensure that your clothing is both durable and timeless.
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Wisteria is also a symbol of everlasting wisdom. As a family-owned company, we resonate deeply with this idea, as it mirrors our dedication to nightwear and the years of knowledge passed down through generations.
‘We are not only designing for sleep but for your overall well-being, creating comfortable pieces that allow you to cherish those precious moments of downtime with your family’
Our Values​
As a family business, our values shape how we innovate and engage with our customers and manufacturing partners. Our deeply rooted principles focus on ethics, care, trust, honesty, and perseverance that guide every aspect of our work. We believe in passing down these family values through generations, ensuring they remain a cornerstone of our identity.
Timeless
​We are dedicated and passionate about everything we do, taking pride in our extensive fabric knowledge and our ability to select the right materials for the best possible designs. Each fabric is meticulously crafted for specific designs and collections.
Fashion Focused
​​Drawing inspiration from fashion trends, Pantone colours, Harper's Bazaar, and more, we purposefully design all our products in-house, carefully choosing every detail to cater to a wide variety of tastes.
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Our unwavering attention to detail and exceptional quality have earned us a loyal following, allowing our customers to enjoy our creations season after season.