Dry Dolly

Tara Parkinson and Rachael Alpha didn't plan to build a company. They were just two sisters tired of oversized robes and flimsy towel wraps that never stayed up. Tara, who had lived in Dubai for 23 years, knew the frustration firsthand after every swim, shower, or gym session. For nearly a decade she searched for something better, asking the same question: what do you actually wear between getting out of the water and getting dressed?

Rachael joined her sister from the UK and together they set out to build what the market was missing. The result was the Dry Dolly Dress, a quick-drying terry towelling garment with built-in bust support and real pockets that works as both towel and cover-up. Launched in late 2023, the product was manufactured in Turkey using lightweight luxury fabric and designed in the UK.

From there they built an online store, grew direct-to-consumer sales across the UK, UAE, and the US, and began exploring B2B hospitality partnerships with hotels and spas. By 2026 the business was a finalist in the Winchester Business Excellence Awards, appeared on the How I Built This podcast, and had earned features in over 50 UK lifestyle magazines. Rachael runs the UK operation from Winchester while Tara oversees Dubai and international markets, with the sisters keeping the company close to its original mission: make everyday routines easier without sacrificing style.