I have another question :) How did you come to the decision to have in-house production? And did you sew in the beginning until sales picked up? Thanks so much for answering my questions! I look up to you!

We actually don't have in-house production, we use contractors/factories in the nyc garment center to manufacture our finished goods. Samples I pattern, fit, and make myself in house but the rest is really dependent on others. The only time I take a sample in to our factories is usually if it requires a special machine that I don't have. We have different contractors who specialize in different materials and types of garments which is really important. Not everyone is GOOD at everything, so we split production based on what their speciality is.

Keeping sales/orders in line is really a tricky tightrope, my suggestion is build a relationship with a factory/smaller sewing contractor discuss pricing at different qty's if they will do lower qty's you'll usually pay more. Having a factory that will work with you is really important to the first couple seasons as you get your legs under you.

In the end having a contractor still does not change the fact that you are a manufacturer and ultimately responsible for the finished goods.

Lingerie, love, fitting, starting a fashion line- ask it!