Starting A Fashion Company

Like many entrepreneurial women you are holding down one job (designing bathing suits) while working hard to launch your own business www.milagrosclothingdesign.com. Tell us about your “day” job designing bathing suits. After all these years can bathing suits really be re-designed and improved?

Nadine: The design is really based on the fabric prints. The silhouette really does not change that much. You have your basic triangle top, halter top, tankini top, bandeau top. Then as for the bottoms you have scoop, side ties, and boy shorts. And you have your one piece.

Starting from high school what has been your career path?

Nadine: My high school teacher encouraged me to take a patternmaking class in F.I.T. I was learning how different garments were constructed. It was a great experience. When I attended F.I.T. I was an intern for Gabriella Zanzani, a ready-to-wear clothing company. After I graduated FIT she offered me a job. It was a great experience and I had the opportunity to work with a high end clothing company. It was fun working behind the scenes for her fashion shows. My second job was with Anakha, a bridle company. I worked very closely with the customers on creating their dresses. I was working for her for three years. My third job in the industry was with Liz Lange Maternity, another high end company. My present job is with Inmocean, a swim suit company. It’s one of the largest manufacturing companies in the USA.

Where did you get your interest in becoming a clothing designer?

Nadine: I got my interest while watching my grandmother fixing garments, from hemming a pair of pants to altering a shirt.

When did you first starting thinking about developing your own clothing line? And how did that happen?

Nadine: A lot of my friends would constantly ask me to design something for them to wear, or they would go thru my closet to find something that they can borrow. I did some thinking and then decided to go with it.

How long have you been developing your own line? Is Milagros Clothing Design the original name of your own company?

Nadine: I have been developing my line for four years. Yes, Milagros is the original name to my company.

Who are the target women for your line of clothing? What is the price point you are aiming at?

Nadine: My target ranges from women in their late 20’s to early 50’s. The prices are affordable, anywhere from $30-$200. I carry lines from different designers as well as jewelry, candles and lotions.

Eventually how far do you expect to expand your designs, i.e. into a broader range of clothes, shoes, jewelry, bags, and accessories?

Nadine: I would like to expand my designs into handbags, and candles.

What do you think are the keys to you growing your own design company successfully?

Nadine: To me the main key is having good relationships with vendors and customers.

What is your vision for your business? How do you want to develop it? For example, will you focus on selling through other boutiques, start your own retail outlet(s) or concentrate on selling on-line?

Nadine: My vision is to open a boutique on a main avenue. I will continue to have Fashion Brunch events. I want to keep my line elite and exclusive I don’t think I’ll have my designs in other stores. I want my boutique to be special, and want my customers to feel special.