We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Zee FIELD a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Zee, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
My journey to the establishment of Profade Apparel is one deeply intertwined with personal trials and the relentless pursuit of innovation. It was the year 2009, and I had just relocated from the culturally vibrant city of Montreal to the sun-kissed landscape of San Diego. This move wasn’t just a change of location but a fresh start, a new chapter in my life.
Finding an engaging job in San Diego proved a tougher challenge than I’d anticipated. I didn’t want to surrender to the magnetic pull of L.A., but the ticking clock and the void in my career seemed overwhelming.
During this time, my feelings swayed between uncertainty, and the drive to find an avenue that would resonate with my passion and experience.
In this period of introspection, I noticed an unexplored avenue within the fashion industry. The product development segment seemed rather unattended and riddled with opportunities. With my experience in the fashion industry and the vantage point of an outsider, I identified a gap I believed I could bridge. The idea of creating something from scratch, carving out a niche in an industry I loved, filled me with excitement. It was a daunting task, yet one I was willing to take on.
Starting was not glamorous. The humble beginnings of my venture can be traced back to my car, where the birth pangs of my business idea began. Gradually, the operations expanded to a table in our garage. This wasn’t just a workspace, but a symbol of my determination. By 2010, the business had grown enough to warrant a move into a proper office, signifying the tangible progress I had made.
By 2011, my endeavor had started bearing fruit. I had several clients and the concept, once an idea in the confines of my car, was now a reality. It was then that I officially established Profade Apparel, a private label manufacturer. Our clientele predominantly included department stores and well-established brands. Yet, what thrilled me most was the opportunity to assist numerous budding entrepreneurs in launching their brands.
Profade Apparel wasn’t just a business venture for me, it was an answer to an industry-wide problem, an unorthodox approach, and a platform for aspiring fashion entrepreneurs. Our unique approach towards product development in the fashion industry differentiated us. But the most exciting part was the impact we could make, the new brands we could help flourish, and the entrepreneurial dreams we could help realize.
And so, the idea wasn’t just born out of a professional need, but also a personal desire to create a positive influence within the industry I had always loved. The belief in the potential and novelty of the idea, coupled with the visible gap in the market, gave me the confidence that this endeavor was worthwhile. And so began my journey with Profade Apparel.
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.
My name is Zee Field, and I’m the founder of Profade Apparel, a private label manufacturer. I am originally from Paris, also lived in Montreal for 27 years before moving to San Diego.
Fashion, to me, was an intersection of aesthetic appeal, expression, individuality, and societal trends, paralleled only by my enduring passion for business. This powerful blend of love for fashion and entrepreneurial spirit guided me into the fashion industry. With this perspective, I was ready to infuse my unique vision into the mainstream fashion narrative while satisfying my innate business acumen.
In 2009, I moved to San Diego, a decision that marked the dawn of a new chapter in my life. It was in this sun-drenched city where I identified an opportunity within the fashion industry. Recognizing a gap in the product development segment, I established Profade Apparel.
At Profade Apparel, we provide end-to-end product development solutions for fashion brands and retailers. Our services span from conceptualization to production, encompassing design, fabric development, pattern making, manufacturing, and quality control. We function as a one-stop solution for fashion businesses, thereby simplifying the otherwise complex process of product development.
Our unique value proposition lies in our comprehensive approach to fashion product development. We believe that each stage in the creation of a garment is interconnected and essential for a successful final product. We strive to ensure that every step in this process is conducted with attention to detail and dedication to quality, irrespective of whether we’re working with a globally recognized brand or an aspiring fashion startup.
What sets us apart from others is our commitment to nurturing young brands. While we cater to established names in the industry, we also have a strong focus on aiding entrepreneurs in launching their own brands. This, in essence, is what makes Profade Apparel more than just a business; it is a launchpad for budding fashion entrepreneurs.
I am incredibly proud of the myriad of entrepreneurs we have been able to assist in their journeys. Witnessing their dreams take flight through our collaborations fills me with a sense of accomplishment that is unparalleled. It is a testament to the impact Profade Apparel has been able to make within the fashion industry.
For potential clients and followers, the key thing to know about Profade Apparel is that we are more than a private label manufacturer. We are your partners in fashion. We are a collective of fashion enthusiasts and professionals dedicated to turning your visions into wearable realities.
Ultimately, Profade Apparel isn’t just about producing garments. It’s about shaping ideas, fostering creativity, and facilitating the birth of new fashion narratives. We believe that every brand has a unique story to tell, and it’s our mission to help articulate this story through distinctive and high-quality fashion products.
How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.
Navigating the realm of e-commerce, we’ve broadened our avenues to connect with customers not just through our own website, but also via esteemed platforms such as Bonton, Faire, Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, and Rue Gilt. These platforms allow us to tap into an extensive customer base while aligning with our brand’s pricing standards.
Recognizing the diverse needs of the market, we launched a sub-brand of LOULOU DAMOUR, named Bonheur D’Amour. The objective was to create an inclusive fashion narrative that caters to a broader spectrum of customers in terms of both pricing and age group.
Bonheur D’Amour, translating to ‘Happiness of Love’, is designed to embody the joy and vibrancy of fashion, appealing to a wider demographic. With this sub-brand, we aim to make LOULOU DAMOUR’s vision and quality accessible to a larger audience. This decision was not just a strategic business move, but a step towards amplifying our commitment to inclusivity in the world of fashion.
Choosing to sell on multiple platforms, however, isn’t without its challenges. Managing product setups across various platforms and coordinating with several third-party logistics providers (3PLs) certainly require an added layer of operational rigor.
E-commerce has evolved into a distinct business realm with its own unique dynamics and rules of engagement. It’s no longer a supplemental aspect of the business; in today’s digital age, it’s a crucial gateway to securing hard purchase orders from retailers. The e-commerce landscape has drastically transformed from what it used to be years ago, with digital platforms becoming primary marketplaces rather than supplementary sales channels.
Nevertheless, despite these challenges, I firmly believe in the potential and opportunities that e-commerce platforms present. The benefits of wider reach, greater accessibility, and instantaneous connection with customers far outweigh the complexities involved. Navigating the e-commerce space has become a necessary venture, and our house brands, LOULOU DAMOUR and Bonheur D’amour are enthusiastically embracing this digital transformation.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
The reputation we’ve built within our market can indeed be attributed to a combination of key factors, each playing a significant role in how we’ve positioned ourselves in the fashion industry. Firstly, our deep-seated knowledge of the industry has been instrumental. Understanding the intricacies of fashion, from design to manufacturing, and predicting market trends have allowed us to consistently meet, and often exceed, our clients’ expectations.
Honesty has been another pillar of our reputation. We believe in maintaining transparency with our clients, whether it’s about production timelines, costs, or potential challenges. This forthrightness has fostered a sense of trust and reliability in our relationships with clients.
Passion has always been the driving force behind everything we do at PROFADE APPAREL, as well within our house brands, LOULOU DAMOUR and Bonheur D’Amour. Our love for fashion and business is reflected in our commitment to quality and innovative designs, which resonates with our clients and sets us apart.
Capability, in terms of our skillset and ability to deliver on our promises, has further solidified our reputation. Our capacity to manage end-to-end fashion product development, from conception to finished product, under one roof showcases our competency and versatility.
Finally, effective communication has been crucial. Ensuring open and constant communication with our clients has helped us understand their vision better and provide solutions that align perfectly with their needs.
Combining these five elements – knowledge, honesty, passion, capability, and communication – has allowed us to build a strong reputation within our market, earning the respect and trust of both clients and peers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.profadeapparel.com https://www.louloudamour.com
- Instagram: @profadeapparel @louloudamourbrand
- Facebook: PROFADE APPAREL ; LOULOU DAMOUR
- Linkedin: PROFADE APPAREL
- Youtube: louloudamour
- Yelp: Profade Apparel
- Other: TikTok. @louloudamourbrand
Image Credits
Photos:@rebekkaeliza_photographer Models: @iampriscilalourenco @mafaldagviana @katiammuller Make-up: @rebeccamuirmua