Guest Post: Launching an Independent Lingerie Brand--Rachel Rector Lingerie

Hello there! I’m Rachel Rector. Once upon a time, not long ago, I was a Lille Boutique salesgal. These days, I’m making a living as a lingerie designer in New York City. I'd always loved fashion, but working at Lille fueled me with a passion for underpinnings. Portland is an incredible incubator for creative talent, so I learned to sew lingerie through specialized classes and internships with local designers. After a few wonderful years in Portland, I made a bold move to New York to pursue my lingerie career. Talk about dreams coming true! Thanks to lingerie devotees like you, my Kickstarter campaign was funded, and now I’m taking my lingerie collection to the next level. I’ve shown my collections at Portland Fashion Week in September of 2013 and at Unmentionable: A Lingerie Exhibition this past February (alongside Lille, of course). With the fundraising support from many generous backers, I’m finally taking my ideas to the factory. I’m dedicated to producing comfortable, supportive lingerie that is empowering and sexy. I’ve chosen to produce my line in the USA and am lucky to be in the fashion capitol of the world as I get my styles ethically manufactured. I shot these photos during my most recent visit to the factory. My friend Nico tagged along to help me make decisions and acted as a fit model for these beginning stages of production. The pattern maker listened to all of my requests for revisions and had expert knowledge of the adjustments the styles needed to fit well, be durable, and of the highest quality construction. He and his factory staff were so welcoming, and it’s a pleasure to work with dedicated and professional folks with big hearts! The next time I visit the factory, I’ll be approving the first samples. So excited!