What Comes With Age
Our brand turned 10 years old last month! As a small, personal celebration, I re-made my very first design; a powder blue motorcycle jacket, then called the Classic Motorcycle Jacket, now refined and renamed as our Double Zip Moto. I’ve spent some time reflecting on how far I’ve come, and one big difference stands out to me: although there are plenty of times now when I still feel nervous and unsure, my confidence in our woman, product, process, experience, and brand values is very strong.
1) Woman
My knowledge of our client has grown with every jacket we’ve made. She cares about having a relationship with the women who make her clothes, supporting a small, local, creative business, investment pieces that fit better and last longer than what you can get at high-end shops, owning unique, one-of-a-kind clothing items that are wardrobe workhorses; easy to style and reflect who she is and hopes to be.
2) Product
Our product has always been a source of pride for me, but with every jacket, our sewing technology, understanding of different fabric types, and ability to hit fit quickly has been elevated, with an extra big bump up when Tunde joined the team.
3) Process
Throughout the years, I’ve played with ready-to-wear, made-to-order, made-to-measure, and bespoke business models to land on an offering that is both none, and all of the above. The process involves a deep understanding of the woman’s needs, personal style, lifestyle, values, and inspirations. It also offers minimal decisions for the client, and is generally designer-lead.
The result falls somewhere between all of these definitions, price points, and related techniques, depending upon each individual situation. It has taken me so long to get out of my people pleasing tendencies and stand confident in my knowledge, taste, and intuition. I used to offer endless options and the process was client-lead, but with the process I’ve settled on, both the women and designer are represented and in love with the final result.
4) Experience
Our client experience now feels smoother, with scheduling software, efficient fittings, and clearer language. The results of all these years of learning and refining.
4) Brand Values
Lastly, I’ve stopped apologizing for the time and cost it takes to individually, hand-make each jacket in Calgary, conduct multiple fittings until both the client and our team are completely happy with the fit, use the best fabrics in the world, have a studio space that reflects the caliber of our product, and take the time to regularly develop new jacket styles to add to the collection.
Thank you to each one of you who has supported my brand and its values. It is because of your patronage, publicity, and encouragement that I have been able to rest in this place of ease in what we do. Funny enough, it now aligns perfectly with my original, lofty intentions for the brand, before other’s opinions on price and timeline caused me to waiver. Slowly but surely, I returned and stand strong; content and confident in the brand I’ve built.
Jacket: Double Zip Moto + Classic Motorcycle Jacket (no longer available)
Makers: Anneke Forbes + Tunde Kolebaba
Photo: Emma Palm
