Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tran Ta. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Tran, thanks for joining us today. Let’s go back in time a bit – can you share a story of a time when you learned an important lesson during your education?

I learned that it was important to have an open mind and not get fixated on preconceived notions of who you think you should be. Despite starting in pre-med, I eventually pursued a double degree in the liberal arts. Interestingly, the thought of pursuing the liberal arts never crossed my mind, even though I was recognized with an award for history during my senior year of high school. Sometimes life throws you hints of the path you should follow.

People tend to write off the liberal arts as having little value, but it fosters creative thinking. The liberal arts also instill a strong sense of ethics and social responsibility. These qualities have been essential for me as an entrepreneur.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am the founder of luxury fashion brand, Allettare. The brand came out of my desire to be an entrepreneur. When I was 14, I wrote on my bucket list that I would one day be a business owner. Building something entirely from scratch and crafting a narrative around it has always fascinated me. Fashion wasn’t what I envisioned for my first entrepreneurial endeavor, but it has been an incredible journey thus far.

The brand initially centered on lingerie because I thought there would be an opportunity in the American market. I have now expanded into other apparel. Through this expansion, my philosophy on femininity is more clearly articulated than just with lingerie alone. I strive to produce seasonless designs that blend timelessness with modern relevance. Taking cues from minimalism and deconstruction, Allettare aims to capture the spirit of the woman who believes in effortless dressing.

Allettare is committed to slow, ethical fashion practices. Half of the designs are created from deadstock fabric, but all materials are sourced from the finest textile mills in the world. Production is deliberately slow, focusing on small-batch manufacturing right in the city I live in. I would love to explore upcycling as well. The use of high-quality fibers and craftsmanship will always remain the cornerstone of the brand.

According to the World Economic Forum, the fashion industry accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions, with approximately 85% of all textiles ending up discarded. Stating these statistics while operating a business encouraging increased consumption can be considered hypocritical. People will continue to buy clothes because clothes allow us to express ourselves to the world. I think self-expression and beauty are important, but it shouldn’t have to come at a cost to the environment.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

Allettare’s products are manufactured in Dallas, Texas. While I make the lingerie on a made-to-order basis, the apparel is produced by two factories. Lingerie is a very niche market that requires specialized skills. Although a nearby production company specializes in lingerie, their capabilities didn’t align with my vision. Consequently, I taught myself pattern making, cutting, grading, and sewing from scratch. To gain insights into manufacturing, I produced a few designs for an emerging brand. This hands-on experience provided valuable insights, enabling me to communicate more effectively with my factories.

The intention was always to keep production local, prioritizing quality control and bolstering the local economy. Staying local also enables me to maintain lower production quantities. As an emerging brand, overseas factories often require MOQs in the thousands. While this route may become necessary as the brand grows, for now, I’m content with our local partners who operate with high standards.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Right before the pandemic hit, I experienced a traumatic brain injury that led me to have post-concussion for about two years. During that time, I couldn’t physically work on the business. Any amount of stress would trigger headaches and strain the nerves around the wound, which persists till this day. This injury occurred in the early phase of my brand’s growth. I was even able to get into British Vogue a month before! The timing couldn’t be worse.

I know some brands were able to experience significant growth during the pandemic as people were at home, constantly scrolling through their socials. I didn’t have the physical or emotional capacity to design or share my work. Rebuilding the brand has been a greater challenge than I imagined, especially with the brand repositioning and changing social media algorithms. Despite the challenges, I am committed to seeing Allettare grow. This brand has already allowed me to experience some incredible moments I am truly grateful for, so I am excited for the next chapter.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://allettare.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allettare/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Allettare/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/allettareintimates

Image Credits

Amber Tice
Ricardo Rosales
Tran Ta