You're not a designer!

I often call myself "the designer who isn't". My journey into fashion is unconventional at best. What started off as ideas for concepts 8 years ago has evolved into actual pieces, lines, etc. Am I designer? Yes, by definition...I do design things. Did I go to fashion school, have I been mentored by the world's reknown designers, do I go to fashion week in New York? No. In fact I'm still learning how to sew! Moral of the story? You are as you do.

The majority of people I meet and know have one thing in common. They have dreams to be something else...or something more. Unfortunately, when they awake from these dreams they find themselves bombarded by all of the reasons they cannot do or achieve those dreams. My story is like so many other stories of "unexpected" success. The only endorsement you need in order to follow your dreams is the fact that they are indeed your dreams. It's true that there is tremendous value in mentorship and formal education paths. But you may be suprised at how good you'll really be at that one thing you've always dreamed to be. Start where you're at. The information is out there. And if you can get over any fear of asking for help...the help is out there too.

The image attached is an image of the DiVA Rising concept bra. It is one of my first designs. I knew absolutely nothing about bra design when we built this piece. I started with an exisiting plain black demi-cup bra. I resurfaced the cups. My original vision feature a jacquard print but in lieu of the fabric we did used heat-transfer. It is made from bamboo fabric and features diamond accents. We fabricated it by hand and showcased it in our first fashion show. After we recieved the bamboo fabric the entire process, including dying the fabric to this gorgeous blue color, only took about 10 hours.

Why lingerie?

Most people who know me or know about me also know that many of my start-ups have been technology companies and they inevitably are compelled to ask..."so...how did you make the jump from software and technology to lingerie?!?"

It always makes me smile, but there are really 3 primary reasons for it and they're pretty straightforward:

1. Fashion has always interested me and been a part of my life. I believed that my foray into fashion should start the same way we all get dressed in the morning.
2. I see a tremendous opportunity in this highly fragmented and extremely profitable industry.
3. I'm good at it. The fashion industry is one where my eye for detail is a great asset.

From a business standpoint, people understand intimate apparel. The brand we've created in Marc Wayne easily conveys the image of classy, sexy, sophistication we're going for. But mostly, since the inception of Marc Wayne Intimates (formerly Vertu Lingerie) our customers and potential customers have created so much momentum for us that it would be really hard to ignore the opportunity.

So, "why lingerie"? It just made sense, it's fun and the customer is extremely passionate about the product. Also, the industry is fairly accessible to newcomers. The toughest challenges are creating a distinctive product and creating brand authenticity. But I would argue those challenges apply to any product.

What has always made me successful is my ability to give the customer what they want. However, in addition to giving them what they want, to go beyond and impress them. Make them say, "wow!" Marcel Wanders, a phenomenal designer says it best: "always give them the unexpected."

It's true becoming a lingerie designer seems like a jump but really the same principles apply; get the requirements from the customer, deliver accordingly and exceed their expectations.

That being said, becoming a public figure as Marc Wayne has been an interesting journey. The fashion shows, gorgeous people, flashing lights...even the silk and lace are glamorous in every way. Fashion has the same seductive appeal as Hollywood and it's easy to get caught up in the persona. But at the end of the day, my life is full of meetings and design sessions. In some ways it's not as exciting as many people would expect. But as a businessman it's the most exciting business I've ever been a part of.

As an entrepreneur I've started several companies and I've consulted for countless others. After a while you begin to get a "feel" for momentum and success. You can tell when things are clicking and when a team is executing. More importantly, you can tell when your customers are excited about what you're doing. Marc Wayne Intimates, I'm proud to say, has all of the above.