jessica gold: dobbin clothing
Monday, June 18, 2012
Today Jessica Gold has dropped by to talk about Dobbin Clothing, a small 13 piece collection that she just launched with Catherine Doyle. All the pieces in their collection are priced under $200 and use the same high-end Italian stretch fabrics as much more expensive designers (DVF, The Row, Carolina Herrera).
mj: I love the philosophy behind Dobbin Clothing, can you talk a little about how it came about. Was there a turning point where you and your partner thought to yourselves, there's a hole in the marketplace and a real need for these kinds of pieces?
jessica: The general idea for Dobbin came about roughly three years ago, right after Liz Lange Maternity (where Catherine was the Design Director and I was the Marketing Director) was sold. We thought seriously about what markets were underserved, and kept coming back to what's commonly referred to in the industry as the "Misses" or "Missy" market. We didn't love the term nor the offerings in the category; clothes for women 35+ plus were typically ill-fitting, poor quality and/or unsophisticated. We thought we could do it better, and could infuse our classic/vintage-inspired style into pieces that really fit and didn't fall apart.
We couched the idea for a few years; I ran a consulting business called JG and Co. working with young designers on their businesses, and Catherine went to work for a large retailer, developing a new business for them. But last summer, after watching e-commerce business and fashion start-ups pop up on a seemingly daily basis, we decided that we should really work towards launching this business in earnest.
Dobbin is an old English word for workhorse, and we want our clothes to be the workhorses of women's wardrobes. Shopping has changed so much over the past few years, and has become much more of a high-low experience. Our clothes are made of luxury European and American fabrics, in NYC, but are priced fairly at or under $200. We compete price-wise with much bigger lines and retailers, but don't think that it's right to charge a fortune just to achieve a certain quality or style. Women of all ages deserve quality clothes that fit and are modern. We worked really hard on our fit; it's meant to flatter real women's bodies. We recognize that women come in all shapes and sizes, and tried to address and flatter common problem areas (hips, thighs, upper arms, backs, tummies).
Our Spring/Summer Capsule Collection launched in late April and we've done really well so far and learned a lot about how women shop and what they're looking for. We've had big hits in our super-flattering Juliet Dress, Chase Ponte Pant and Stanton Stretch Canvas Pant (which has a hidden elastic waistband). This collection was on the small side (12 pieces) and combined wardrobe staples with some summer pieces that combine trend with wearability. We want our pieces to last you more than one season. We've had women aged 25-70 shop the line and moving forward, we are definitely sticking with an ageless attitude style-wise.
mj: Who do you see as being a Dobbin woman?
jessica: Good question! We see and are inspired by so many women we consider 'Dobbins'. On the whole, I think our customer is interested in style, but isn't fashion-obsessed. She has a less-is -more attitude towards shopping, and prefers quality and fit to fast-fashion trendiness. She's busy -- whether with a career, family, travel and/or hobbies, and needs items she knows will look great, feel great and hold up over time. We love the way Michelle Obama dresses; she has an excellent, consistent personal style that's classic with a twist of color or print, and she really knows what works for her body.
mj: Can you talk a little bit about the challenges and perks of manufacturing locally.
jessica: We're great proponents of domestic manufacturing in theory and in practice. The NYC Garment District is still a vital part of the fashion industry and we want to see it stay and grow as a source of new jobs and skilled craftsmen. It's key to us, as a small business, to have our production take place locally; we're able to check in on it, and to make last-minute changes if necessary. Of course, it costs more to produce here than overseas, but we plan to continue producing here in NYC. We don't have to adhere to long lead-times or high production minimums, or to pay for huge shipping costs, and we can control the process more easily here.
mj: You've worked in the manufacturing/retail industry for a long time--what made you decide to sell Dobbins online through your website versus stores?
jessica: Increasingly, fashion has become a more tech-friendly sector. By selling online only, directly to customers, we're able to keep our retail prices down. As you know, when you wholesale, department stores and boutiques mark retail prices up quite a bit, and we didn't think that would work for this line. I also come from a life in retail; I've been working in stores since I was 16. I prefer to work with customers one-on-one. We're able to give a great level of personal service and attention by selling directly, and to learn about what our customers want and need. We have free shipping both ways so it's possible to try on at home easily. Going forward, we're planning some trunk shows and pop-up shops so that women can try on in person. Long term, we'd love to have some of our own stores.
mj: What are the pieces from the line that you wear?
jessica: My two favorite outfits are the Griffith Stretch Pique tunic (very Jackie O in Capri) with the Joni jegging (which I practically live in) with the Carmel cotton slub jacket if it's cool and the Margot stretch printed jersey top with the Osa stretch printed jersey skirt which has more of a 70s feel when paired with wedges and summer jewelry.
mj: What are you long term goals for Dobbin Clothing?
jessica: We want to grow Dobbin carefully, and to continue to adhere to our devotion to fit, fabric, value and style. We want to listen carefully to our customers and to give them the product and the service they deserve. We also want Dobbin to be a brand that stands for real women of all ages and to have more brand-right content and community aspects over time.
Thanks Jessica for being a guest! Wishing you and Catherine all the best with Dobbin!
Labels: fashion interview
posted by Mary Jo at TrustYourStyle at
Monday, June 18, 2012
I'm Mary Jo, a handbag designer living in sunny California.
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share inspiration and connect with other
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29 Comments:
What an interesting read, Mary Jo! I think if designers and women paid more attention to fit we would have more stylish women to look up to. I am a great supporter of domestic manufacturing and I'm glad every time I hear about a designer approaching this concept. The best of luck to Jessica and Catherine! xo
Ada
I really like the clean lines and effortless style of the tunic. Great guest post!
xo
Quiet Luxury
Comfortable and flattering ... a wonderful combination! Thanks for introducing Dobbin Clothing, Mary Jo. Hope your weekend was a beautiful one! xo
Sandy M
http://oohlafroufrou.blogspot.com
This Week: "Oh So Moving"
great company
attention to fit and fabric is very important when we choose clothes
have a nice and stylish week darling
come and say Hi,
The Dolls Factory
It is great to learn about the process these women have gone through in conceptualizing to creating their collection. Very interesting!
Such a great concept behind the line. That really was a hole in the marketplace. Wishing them much success! :) xoxo
This is wonderful. I like the attention to details where women's shapes need it most!! Really fantastic. Happy Monday flower..I hope your week is blissful!! xox
Lovely collection and interview!
How fabulous that the garments are made in NYC!
xoxox,
CC
I love it that these are so flattering but comfortable looking as well!
Great approach. A good fit is what make or break an outfit. Lovely interview as always
This is great. I love it when you introduce us to new peopel.
Have a lovely week.
Redxx
Great interview! I love her attention to comfort and conservative styles for all ages. I definitely don't like with tops ride up on me! :)
x
Rachel
So classic and chic!!!!
Great post Mary Jo!!!!!
How was your weekend?
I ordered the new MAC Ruffian Red lipstick... I heard the late Carolyn Bessette Kennedy inspired it- she was such a beauty!!!!
Hope you had a wonderful day!!!
My blog just turned one!!! :-)
http://fashiondiarylooks4.blogspot.com
Thanks for the introduction to Jessica and Dobbin. I really like their company philosophy of quality, fit and value.
Have an amazing week Mary Jo!
Rowena @ rolala loves
Looks (and sounds) like a great company! I love clothes that are simple and look so chic at the same time!
:)
Allison
afashionfiles.blogspot.com
Being a gal who works in manufacturing, I loved reading this, especially love their efforts in producing locally and attention to fit. Excellent read! xo
It's a really nice post and a very interesting interview.
Love this collection. It's very stylish and pretty. Lovely colors.
Great post.
xoxo
This line looks wonderful Mary Jo... I will have to check it out... xv
Fit is really everything... a gorgeous item that does not fit well is such a waste!
XO
www.pearlsandpaws.blogspot.com
Fit and comfort is so important when it comes to looking good and feeling confident! This was a great interview to read.
Great interview, Mary Jo! I really liked this phrase ” don't think that it's right to charge a fortune just to achieve a certain quality or style. Women of all ages deserve quality clothes that fit and are modern”. This is so true!!
xoxoxo
I LOVE the color scheme of this collection - so beautiful! :)
Thanks for the introduction! I am definitely appreciating quality more and more and love to see lines that emphasize this too!
xoxo,
Chic 'n Cheap Living
Amazing work. The pics are perfect, the interview is so interesting and the post is fantastic. Thank you so much for your lovely comment on my blog!!
Best Regards
Miss Margaret Cruzemark
http://margaretcruzemark.blogspot.com/
this is a great interview, definitely wishing her all the best as well!
Great interview and I really dig the navy dress! xo
They sound wonderful!
the navy dress is gorgeous!
www.averysweetblog.com
Thanks so much for this great post. Interesting company and concept. I like it!
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