PrettyLittleThing founder Umar Kamani is stepping down as CEO after ten years

PrettyLittleThing founder Umar Kamani is stepping down as CEO after ten years, MailOnline can exclusively reveal.

The businessman, 35, who co-founded the fashion company with brother Adam in 2012, has overseen PLT’s explosive growth from a humble website selling accessories to a global brand now worth an estimated £3.8 billion.

Since its inception, PrettyLittleThing has become known for their celebrity collaborators, including Kylie Jenner, Khloe Kardashian, Little Mix, Gemma Owen, and Molly-Mae Hague, who is also the online giant’s creative director.

Umar is often photographed rubbing shoulders with A-listers such as Naomi Campbell, Paris Hilton and Liam Payne. He is now a celebrity in his own right and over the years has singled out the talent he would like to see wearing his brand of fashionable clothes.

But after ten years in the hot seat, Umar has decided to step down as CEO after previously selling his remaining 34 percent stake in PrettyLittleThing to Boohoo, which is run by his father.

The businessman, who co-founded the fashion company with brother Adam in 2012, has overseen PLT’s explosive growth from a simple website selling accessories to a global brand (pictured in 2016)

Since its inception, PrettyLittleThing has become known for their celebrity collaborators, including Kylie Jenner, Khloe Kardashian, Little Mix, Gemma Owen, and Molly-Mae Hague

On Wednesday, Umar celebrated the launch of PLT’s first London showroom and posed alongside former 1D singer Liam Payne, one of the brand’s supporters.

A source close to the brand told MailOnline: ‘Umar has been the centerpiece of PrettyLittleThing since conception, but now he’s ready for a new challenge.

“He leaves a very happy man after achieving extraordinary success and traveling the world, setting up PLT showrooms internationally.

“Umar keeps his cards close to his chest and has yet to reveal the details of his new business venture, but it won’t be long before he sets his sights on his next project.”

Umar confirmed his departure, saying, “After 12 years as CEO and Founder of PrettyLittleThing, I have made the difficult decision to step down as CEO.

“Twelve amazing years that changed my life and I will be forever grateful for all those memories. I am at the stage of my life where I need to set new challenges and goals for myself and build new brands that I hope you will love and support as much as I do with this brand.”

He added: ‘When I first had the idea of ​​starting this brand, I never could have imagined what we were going to achieve. Since our humble beginnings in 2012, PLT has grown to become one of the largest fashion brands in the world.

“If you know me, you know Disneyland and all the magic that surrounds it has always been one of my greatest inspirations. This is what I wanted to create with PrettyLittleThing, a fairytale world where unicorns exist and anything is possible.

‘A place where you find confidence and inspiration when it comes to what you wear and how you feel. Whatever success we have achieved is thanks to you, our loyal customers who have shopped with us, supported us and watched us grow into something I never dreamed of.”

Khloe Kardashian and Ashley Graham attended the 2019 PrettyLittleThing showroom unveiling in Los Angeles, with Umar on hand to help cut the official pink tape

Umar confirmed his departure from the brand on Sunday and told his Instagram followers he was ready to take on new challenges in his career

Manchester-born Umar, who is engaged to model Nada Adelle, is a member of the founding family of the Boohoo group, which now owns a portfolio of brands including Nasty Gal, Coast, Wallis, Dorothy Perkins and Debenhams.

Umar’s father Mahmud Kamani co-founded Boohoo with Carol Kane in 2006 and the website quickly became a success because, unlike its competitor ASOS, the brand only sells its own clothing, increasing its profit margins.

Mahmud’s three sons Umar, Adam and Samir naturally became involved in his fashion empire, which dates back to their grandfather, whose textile wholesaler who bought clothes from India became a major supplier to high street stores such as New Look and Primark.

Adam remained a director at PLT until 2017 until he left the company to pursue a real estate startup, with Umar taking over the reins of the clothing company.

In 2020, Umar sold his remaining 34 per cent stake in PrettyLittleThing for £330 million as part of a lucrative deal that gave him £161 million in cash and 2.6 per cent shares in Boohoo.

Pictured alongside fiancé Nada and supermodel Naomi Campbell, Umar is now a celebrity in her own right thanks to the global success of the brand (pictured in 2022)

Umar, pictured with fiancé Nada in the PLT showroom in Paris, has launched a number of VIP suites for their exclusive clients around the world

Umar’s father Mahmud Kamani (pictured) co-founded Boohoo in 2006 with Carol Kane and the website quickly became a global success

During his decade as a director and CEO, Umar has not only made PLT attractive to the masses, but also to his famous friends, whose popularity has made the brand a desired effect.

Love Island viewers now associate the most successful islanders with making partnership deals with PLT following Molly-Mae’s ongoing relationship with the company.

Last year, Umar personally selected Gemma Owen and Indiyah Polack as ambassadors, and in September, PLT set up their first marketplace, where users can buy and sell beloved outfits.

In recent weeks, PrettyLittleThing has also signed Katie Price and Peter Andre’s teenage daughter Princess and unveiled their first London showroom.

The brand, which also has exclusive areas for their VIP clients in Paris, Miami and Los Angeles, celebrated the opening with a huge party attended by Liam Payne, Molly-Mae and a performance by Brit Award winner Aitch.

Last year, Umar personally selected Gemma Owen and Indiyah Polack as ambassadors, with PLT establishing their first marketplace, where users can buy and sell beloved outfits

In recent weeks, PrettyLittleThing has also signed up Katie Price and Peter Andre’s teenage daughter Princess to promote the brand on her Instagram and TikTok pages