We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Emmi Paez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Emmi, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard

At Emmiknit Handmade we believe that small businesses can serve niches that big business do not. We are there to serve folks who care about how their items are made, that they are made by people paid fair wages, with materials that are sustainable and earth friendly. Our line is slow fashion made the way fashion was made generations ago by seamstresses with decades of experience with very high end finishes. We are a line where details matter. While most fashion is going in the opposite way, fast fashion produces cheap clothes that fit poorly and are made of materials that don’t breathe, hold on to odors, etc. And most importantly are made in factories that exploit workers and expose them to dangerous conditions. Our target customer is looking for an alternative to that, We are a small new line growing while maintaining our high standards for quality, fit, sustainability. We provide well made, well fitting, handmade classic, sustainable, clothing made from natural fibers to a discerning consumer.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a first generation Latina American who following a career in corporate america, chose to spend time in Yucatan, Mexico. There I returned to my first love, design, crafting and clothing. Watching customers feel good in an Emmiknit Handmade piece is one of life’s greatest joys for me.
It is a special privilege to be the conduit to showcase the wonderful craftsmanship of the women of Yucatan, Mexico to the world. Emmiknit Handmade is proud to support the community where the line is made. It is a lifeline for the women who provide their craftsmanship to the brand without whom this line would not be possible. That relationship produces the high quality classic resort wear we are known for. Natural linen, the fabric Emminknit Handmade uses in the main, is one of the most if not the most comfortable, durable, and sustainable materials that exist. Our handmade crochet lace details showcase the exquisite craftsmanship that is integral to the line. The line is known for classic unique pieces made in small batches. Our clothing line is appropriate for day/night. We have a beautiful outfit for any warm weather occasion that will fit well with wonderful attention to every detail to make the wearer feel special.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

Yucatan Mexico is a special place where I spend a great deal of time, I have a home there. The business was born here, I begain this business on a shoe string, self funded. Emmiknit Handmade was inspired by my love of crafting but it only exists because of the resources for manufacturing that are here in Yucatan, Mexico. When I started I knew I could source great fabric and great yarn. I knew the small workshops to work with my chosen mater.ials existed here. I source though a practice of constantly looking for the best of the best. I have a practice of walking the beat so to speak.
This means being out and about and asking everyone and everywhere. Speaking the local language of course is also key.

I am always on the look out for how to source better for less while having plan a, b, c… to z always. Shops get backed up, personnel turns over. Having several shops we can rely on is key for my small business. High quality details such as zippers, buttons, labels, hangtags, these are a big part of the impression your customers get. Every detail from lining to packaging makes an impression on your customer. We work to make them all align with the image we want the brand to convey. One of my most important pillars that I strive to run my brand by is to by is to under promise and over deliver.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

This has been my partnership with a great marketing, pr, and a great sales team. I hire only people who I can sense enjoy and admire the brand, the line, the clothes. Its the only way they will be passionate enough. THat comes through in their work and produces great results. My sales people were my customers who I then partnered with. My marketing and p.r. team loves the brand and this shows through in the leads and materials they provide. This all works together to drive customers to the brand. We are work in progress. Growth is ongoing but this is how we plan to continue to grow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://emmiknithandmade.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmiknit/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emmiknit

Image Credits

b2me