BTS blog

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!

2011-07-22T12:20:00.001-07:00

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!

Hi Layla! I was wondering if you worked for another company and started your business and then eventually quit, or did you just jump right in?

2011-07-20T18:41:00.001-07:00

Before I interned I had around 10 internships under my belt with a lot of them being something more along the lines of assistant positions. Then I worked at a start up sweater company designing, technical design, and some sales. I was miserable, that was definitely when I realized I no longer enjoyed designing anything but intimates! I got a lot of experience there though because in addition to my other duties I worked as the fit model and realized a. how patient models are and how it feels to be a human mannequin b. how the smallest details in the fit like 1/2" off a sleeve, hem, or neckline can change something from frumpy to fabulous.

After that I worked at a division of a major israeli based global corp where I worked on licenses for major brands of intimates, and some new, some established but being relaunched. I got a lot of experience on the design/production side there. At one point I was the ONLY designer and I managed print design/recoloring for a couple of labels, oversaw all design development and worked closely with our one production person to make sure designs were being carried through properly in production. It prepared me a little bit for doing it all on my own. I say a little bit because no matter how much you do at a big company when you have a small business you do EVERYTHING.

Making the decision to quit I actually left up to fate, I was in the 3rd round of interviews at another major company and I made myself a promise that if I was meant to get the job I would, and that if I didn't it was a sign I should take a leap of faith and quit. Needless to say I was the runner up fo the position, left my job, worked at a hotel for 9 months to help during the development stage and when I couldn't handle doing that and running the collection at the same time any longer I quit that to focus on BTS.

There are many paths you can take to having a business but I think there is a feeling when it is the right time and you have to seize it before you're too afraid to try - I know I'm glad I did!

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

sleep to dream

2011-03-06T22:06:00.001-08:00

sleep to dream by BTSgirl featuring white pearl jewelry

femme fatale

2011-02-16T17:02:00.001-08:00

femme fatale by BTSgirl featuring stamped jewelry

Romace

2011-02-15T16:15:00.001-08:00

Romace by BTSgirl on Polyvore.com

BE MINE

2011-02-15T10:40:00.001-08:00

BE MINE by BTSgirl on Polyvore.com

Is it Spring yet?

2011-02-15T10:05:00.001-08:00

Is it Spring yet? by BTSgirl featuring a cargo luggage

Long Distance Lover

2011-02-11T17:49:00.001-08:00

Long Distance Lover by BTSgirl featuring jimmy choo shoes

Words are not enough...

2011-02-10T14:15:00.001-08:00

Words are not enough... by BTSgirl featuring bikini bathing suits

I wasn't expecting you so soon... let me slip into something... for YOU

2011-02-09T21:29:00.001-08:00

I wasn't expecting you so soon... let me slip into something... for YOU by BTSgirl featuring a bikini swimwear

shop: www.btslingerie.com

Ready for bed?

2011-02-09T21:04:00.001-08:00

Ready for bed? by BTSgirl featuring cultured pearl jewelry

shop: www.btslingerie.com

Style Trend - Perfect Pinup in Red, Peach,and Ivory

2011-02-06T18:14:00.001-08:00

Style Trend - Perfect Pinup in Red, Peach,and Ivory by BTSgirl featuring satchel totes

Burlesque inspired looks feature a trifecta of color, black, white, and red, with a little vintage peach thrown in for that throwback glamour... marabou feather heels and fans, nipple tassels, a boa, and a signature red lip are a must to complete this pin-up inspired look! Channel Bettie Page

Style Trend - Modern Romantic

2011-02-06T17:41:00.001-08:00

Style Trend - Modern Romantic by BTSgirl featuring a feather shawl

Style Trend - Deco Beach Chic

2011-02-06T16:26:00.001-08:00

Style Trend - Deco Beach Chic by BTSgirl featuring flat ankle wrap sandals

Muted almost neutral hues remind us of the sun, sand, and soft coloring of delightfully luxe beach towns. Think Art Deco beach towns with mercury glass and tones of peach and ivory.

shop: www.btslingerie.com

Spring Trends - Deco colors paired with Graphically contrasting Black and White

2011-02-06T15:14:00.001-08:00

Spring Trends - Deco colors paired with Graphically contrasting Black and White by BTSgirl on Polyvore.com

When we think of art deco teal, ink and black and white graphics come to mind, this is one of springs outstanding trends, a return to the basics with a twist

Spring Trends - Deco colors paired with Graphically contrasting Black and White

2011-02-06T13:53:00.001-08:00

Spring Trends - Deco colors paired with Graphically contrasting Black and White by BTSgirl on Polyvore.com

When we think of art deco teal, ink and black and white graphics come to mind, this is one of springs outstanding trends, a return to the basics with a twist

BTS Guest Post - Gift Guide by Slip of A Girl

2011-02-05T14:25:00.005-08:00

BTS Guest Post - Gift Guide by Slip of A Girl by BTSgirl featuring a bikini swimwear

http://aslipofagirl.blogspot.com/

shop: www.btslingerie.com

Gift Guide by Josh

2011-02-05T14:25:00.003-08:00

Gift Guide by Josh by BTSgirl on Polyvore.com

shop: www.btslingerie.com

BTS guest post - Gift Guide by Guilty Pleasures

2011-02-05T14:25:00.001-08:00

BTS guest post - Gift Guide by Guilty Pleasures by BTSgirl on Polyvore.com

shop: www.btslingerie.com

purple romance

2011-02-05T14:24:00.005-08:00

purple romance by BTSgirl featuring loose socks

shop: www.btslingerie.com

Gift Guide by Between the Sheets' Designer

2011-02-05T14:24:00.003-08:00

Gift Guide by Between the Sheets' Designer by BTSgirl featuring hair bows accessories

shop: www.btslingerie.com

BTS guest post - Gift Guide by The Lingerie Post

2011-02-05T14:24:00.001-08:00

BTS guest post - Gift Guide by The Lingerie Post by BTSgirl on Polyvore.com

I first met Krista when she attended our 3rd Between the Sheets Fashion Show in 2007, and since she has been a great supporter and one of our biggest fans! You might be curious what makes her advice so meaningful that we wanted her contribution to our gift guides- WELL she started her own blog, Life in the Girl Lane, and like many we know in the lingerie blogosphere it started with a insatiable appetite to share information, specifically about lingerie! She came across TLP when it was first launched, and let's just say it was love at first "site". Her passionately persistent tips on new brands and lingerie news led them to invite her to be a writer! Within that year she was covering the opening of Journelle in NYC, meeting Elle Macpherson, and attending our BTS Fashion Show, and this weekend it will officially be 4 years of her writing for them! We're wishing her and the Lingerie Post a very happy anniversary, because few relationships make it this far and bear this much creative fruit!

BTS guest post - Gift Guide by The Lingerie Addict

2011-02-05T14:23:00.005-08:00

BTS guest post - Gift Guide by The Lingerie Addict by BTSgirl on Polyvore.com

Treacle did us the huge honor of being her first designer feature, and we thought it fitting to return the favor. This multitalented diva has quickly grown what her self proclaimed addiction into a seriously sexy, not something one can say of most addictions, but such is one of the many benefits of lingerie! She's taken this route of female empowerment one step further and has been revealing her modeling and burlesque debut to rave reviews by fans and industry alike! Maybe one of the most lasting impressions of her blog will be that she is bringing a face to the consumer, with a focus on what it is that her readers are looking for she's raising customer concerns and educating the lingerie industry as she herself reads and dances her way into the limelight of this very sexy industry!

a little bite of fantasy

2011-02-05T14:23:00.003-08:00

a little bite of fantasy by BTSgirl on Polyvore.com

shop: www.btslingerie.com

sweet dreams

2011-02-05T14:23:00.001-08:00

sweet dreams by BTSgirl on Polyvore.com

shop: www.btslingerie.com