Made in China (not made in China)

Be clear as possible when giving directives to seamstresses because it could be detrimental in getting anything done. Expect the unexpected because people think differently. Think about the most impossible scenario happening, because it most likely will.

Allan Angel Suit Version 1

I met a seamstress in another country who claimed to have the best staff on hand and was the best at what she did. She said there were others who wanted to work with her but she refused their offers. According to her, based on my face and the kindness I exuded to people she would only work with me. I believed her upon helping me manufacture the product line for Baby Warriors- a comic book published by Integrity Comics and distributed by Gennewwine. And many more astonishing designs yet to be revealed.

My Couture Issue 2

I selected the fabric personally from an annual sale at a local sewing guild. I don't know if they would like the publicity so I won't mention the name. I got some of the most amazing fabrics as I made sure to be one of the first in line when they let people in. When I saw this pile of wool in one section my heart jumped! The fabric looked expensive! I envisioned suits... on me. I also bought lining for the jackets that would be sewn to it. They were acquired for very little amount of cash. Basically, free.

Allan Angel Suit Version 2

I carefully packed the fabric, patterns with instructions into a package which the shippers happily obliged to help fit in a smaller box and off it went to my seamstress to be sewn, ready to wear, exhibit, and sit in storage as part of my portfolio. Along with it the pattern I had made in Patternmaking 2.

Unfortunately, I failed to mention to not use lining with the logo of famous designers like Dior, Versace, Gucci or Calvin Kleins even though it wasn’t. You do not do such things because it violates certain rules and the shipping company was clearly aware of it. I paid it no mind because it was Fashion 101 and it was a no no. But for my seamstress it was a yes, yes.

Fake Dior lining

Lol! Really... I was more amused than anything else. Like… damn. The country where I manufacture has a tendency to ignore such rules as I learned from this experience. I should have been clearer about not using designer linings. My mindset at the time was, you know I could use this experience in a blog or put in My Couture magazine. Should I even have been aware of these shenanigans at the time? I did not expect this at all, and still laughing about it to this day.

I would never claim another designer’s label as they do not represent my brand. I wanted to create my own brand not copy those that were already out there. My seamstress must have thought I was operating a fraudulent company as many businesses obviously do. Take in point anything advertised on Facebook. I can list tons of products I bought and either got nothing back or incredibly get unreturnable, unusable products.

I know from the selected fabrics where I was going. I’m not blind. Neither of the fabric, the style of fabrics I used were representative of any designer. I know because our classes insisted on knowing the style, color schemes of designers at that time. To be aware of what was going out there. To be aware of the influencers. I had a vision.

Made in China label (not made in China)

We have normalized fraud in such a way that I guess it became the norm. I wasn’t expecting for my seamstress to do that, bless her heart because it was done in affection I most likely presume. Now, my jackets are in limbo. The lining was so impossible to re-install that it’s just sitting there with nowhere to go. The suits were never intended to be sold but they look so good, that it seemed like it. Maybe someday I’ll be able to reunite with my assembled suits that were made in China but not really.

For more about the real business and what it takes to become a fashion designer check out the issue 2 of My Couture.

ⓒ 2022 Allan Angel