We were lucky to catch up with Madeline Cook recently and have shared our conversation below.

Madeline, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

I initially began my business on Etsy selling festival fashion creations which I did from 2016-2018. I knew I was meant to create fashion designs to make women feel empowered, but I somehow still felt slightly off my path or like I was on a parallel path to my truest one.

In 2018 I began focusing more on sustainable fashion and fabrics, leading me to find the yummiest and softest bamboo jersey. The fabric itself inspired me to try and make myself a pair of underwear out of it because it was so deliciously soft and stretchy, and I was sick of wearing uncomfortable or unflattering underwear. This launched me into a 6 month process of pattern making that featured about 6 different trial and error patterns until I really felt I got it right.

During this time I also started studying dye techniques and wanted to jump into the world of creating my own color, so I gathered some new books regarding various dye techniques and mediums. I played around with natural dyes and low-impact fiber reactive dyes, which both have their pros and cons in terms of sustainability so I enjoy using both.

Once I nailed down the patterns and played with dye techniques, it was time to use my sample pattern to create different sizes. I gathered a wide range of models to try my size samples out, and took the next 3 months to create sizes XS-XL. While I waited on feedback, I also used my prototype to create a few other styles – cheekies, thongs, and High Waisted due to popular demand for that style in particular. I never had worn a pair of High Waisted underwear, but I am so glad I received the requests because once I did I realized it was my absolute favorite style! Overall it took 10-12 months to get my styles nailed down and perfect the various sizes. In 2019 I did my first round of batch dyeing and held my first underwear photoshoot which is when I feel I really launched.

Madeline, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Madeline and I’m a creative out of Colorado. I went to Colorado State University for Apparel Design + Production and graduated in 2016 which is how I got into my craft. I create intimates and loungewear for women, and my goal is to bridge the gap between style + comfort as I find that to be widely missing in this area. With growing concern on the impact of the fashion industry on Mother Earth, I decided to create my designs from eco-friendly fibers like bamboo + hemp stretch.

The core value I began with is making women feel empowered in designs infused with love + color. Underwear is the base of our outfits each and every day, and yet there is a lack of comfortability. When I make a pair of underwear and send it out into the world I really hope that it feels like a clothing hug for the person who receives it. I came up with the name MadZinnia by bridging my name as the one person who is behind everything in the brand, and the meaning of my favorite flowers, Zinnias. They are associated with friendship, goodness, and lasting affection which I hope is felt in the pieces I create. I also love how colorful they are and the wide variety of colors you can find them in, since creating color is a staple of my brand.

Fashion is a way of expressing oneself, and I believe the foundation of that (the undergarments) is just as important. They have a beautiful way of making the wearer feel confident from the inside out. Participating in slow fashion and spending more on quality pieces that last longer adds so much meaning to the process of cultivating your wardrobe, and is a beautiful way to invest in yourself. MadZinnia is a process of love and I adore sending these heartfelt pieces into the world.

Does your business have multiple or supplementary revenue streams (like a ATM machine at a barbershop, etc)?

The majority of my sales come through my website, which I think people enjoy how personal + customized it feels considering my product is a fairly personal. This year I have expanded a bit into a couple of local retail stores, which I think is also great as people can see the colors in person and actually touch the fabric and feel how soft and cozy it is. I have enjoyed these added spaces for my product because I think since 2020 there is a bigger focus on supporting local businesses. This has been a lovely way to connect with other local businesses + artists, but also locals in general who enjoy meeting their makers!

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Word of mouth! I have found the majority of my customers are repeat customers. It can feel like a lot to make that first purchase on a $35 pair of underwear considering how much fast fashion rules the world, but once they do they come back because they can see the worth in it. I sew everything myself, there is no elastic, the fabric is SO soft, and the colors make each pair one of a kind. I have many people tell me that if their MadZinnia undies are clean it is the first thing they reach for. That said, word of mouth has been a great source for me where people will share the fit on social media or even gift a pair to a friend or loved one.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.madzinnia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madzinnia/
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@_madzinnia_

Image Credits
Emily Elizabeth Photography – @emilyelizabethphotog (Instagram)