Background
Growing up as a very skinny girl, I never gave much thought to the clothes I wore. My go-to wardrobe consisted of simple jeans and T-shirts. I wore size 00 without thinking twice about it, never imagining that things could change. But, as I moved into my mid-twenties, life threw me a curveball: I got pregnant.
The first thing that hit me was how drastically my body was changing. I gained almost 30 pounds throughout my pregnancy, and with that came the reality check: I was no longer fitting into my old clothes. By the time my baby arrived, I was in a completely different size. I had moved from a size 00 to a size 3, which was a huge shift for me.
The discomfort I experienced throughout my pregnancy only added to the frustration. Every piece of clothing I owned felt too tight, especially in the summer. I could barely stand to wear anything—tight waistbands, zippers digging in, and itchy fabric made me miserable. Jeans were unbearable, and my only relief was the soft embrace of pajamas.
Shopping for maternity pants was a frustrating experience. Many options were stiff, uncomfortable, and had poorly designed waistbands that sagged. Finding stylish and well-fitting maternity jeans felt like an impossible task and they were just plain ugly.
Aha moment
It was during this time that I decided to take matters into my own hands. As someone who loved sewing and had a passion for designing clothes, I figured I could create something that would solve the discomfort I was feeling. I started sketching and sewing up a sample of what I imagined would be a perfect solution: comfortable, breathable clothing that wouldn’t make me feel trapped in my own body.
Some of the things that bothered me the most were tight waistbands, uncomfortable zippers, itchy fabric around my thighs and, of course, those annoying clothing tags. These everyday irritations became my driving force. I wanted to make clothes that felt like they were made for me—something that embraced comfort without sacrificing style.
After giving birth, the discomforts I had experienced faded, but the weight gain lingered. My body had changed, and I was still struggling to find clothes that fit my new body well. None of my old wardrobe worked for my new body, and it became clear to me that the fashion industry wasn’t providing the solutions I needed.
Deciding what to design for BDA Clothing
After having my baby, I quickly forgot about the discomforts of pregnancy—mainly because they weren’t as severe compared to the challenges of postpartum life. However, one thing I couldn’t ignore was the weight gain. None of my clothes fit, and I found myself frustrated with the lack of flexibility in my wardrobe.
While shopping for baby clothes, I noticed how kids’ clothing items had adjustable waistbands to accommodate their growth. That’s when inspiration struck: why wasn’t this concept widely available for women’s clothing? As women, our bodies change throughout the month due to bloating, hormonal shifts, and other natural fluctuations. Wouldn’t it be amazing to have clothing that adapted to these changes effortlessly?
With this idea in mind, I started sketching. My initial drawings were rough—so rough that I enlisted the help of my talented artist brother to bring them to life in greater detail. That’s when it truly hit me: what if I could use my love for sewing and design to create clothing that was not only stylish but also functional and comfortable? Clothing that made women feel good—physically and emotionally—without having to compromise on style.
What started as a personal solution to my own wardrobe struggles soon transformed into a larger vision. I realized that so many women—mothers, professionals, and those experiencing body changes—were likely facing the same challenges. I wanted to create a solution that would benefit them too.
The Journey of Finding a Manufacturer: A Lesson in Entrepreneurship
Back in 2017, Google was my best friend. I spent countless hours searching for manufacturers, determined to bring my fashion ideas to life. Initially, I had ambitious plans—I wanted to design and sew every piece myself. But reality quickly set in. Between working full-time and caring for a baby, I realized that doing it all alone was simply unrealistic.
That’s when I shifted my focus to finding a reliable manufacturer. To stay organized, I created a detailed table to track each manufacturer I researched. I noted their location, sample costs, minimum order quantities (MOQs), types of garments they specialized in, and lead times. This helped me compare options and make an informed decision.
The Search for the Right Partner
Weeks of research eventually led me to a manufacturer in Singapore. The first step in our collaboration was to finalize my sketches and send them over for review. If you’re wondering—no, your sketches don’t have to be perfect or drawn using fancy software. I simply sketched out my ideas by hand, and my brother helped refine them to ensure the manufacturer understood the intricate details I envisioned.
With my designs in place, I sent over ten concepts to the manufacturer and waited for their cost estimate. I was excited, hopeful, and eager to take the next step in bringing my brand to life.
The Harsh Reality of Production Costs
A few weeks later, I received the quote: $75,000 for 80 pieces of each design in four sizes and two colors. My heart sank. The cost was overwhelming. As much as I wanted to move forward, I found myself coming up with every reason why I couldn’t.
And just like that, my dream—BDA Clothing—came to an abrupt halt.
Lessons Learned
Looking back, this experience taught me some valuable lessons about entrepreneurship:
- Adaptability is Everything – Sometimes, the first plan doesn’t work out, but that doesn’t mean the dream is over. It just means it’s time to find a new approach.
- Dream Big, but Plan Realistically – While passion is essential, understanding the financial and logistical challenges of production is just as important.
- Research is Key – Tracking every detail of my manufacturer search helped me make an informed decision, even if the outcome wasn’t what I had hoped for.