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My Client Rules & Why They Matter
NEWSLETTER
10/22/20262 min read
I have rules for my clients. Well, rules for myself for my clients.
I’ve never outlined them publicly before, but privately I’ve held them very strictly. They’re seemingly small acts that reflect the core values of why I run my business. The rules remind and ensure that how my business operates doesn’t stray from my reason for starting it.
I started my business to give women not just better clothing, but a better clothing experience. A resource for women who were fed up with shopping experiences that left them feeling like their body or personality (or both!) didn’t fit into this world.
I think of my business as a safe little bubble - just me and my client. We block out societal expectations of women, body shaming, and all the "shoulds of fashion" so that we can explore together. We explore what feels good, what feels like them. What would be fun. Measurements are just numbers. Trends don’t matter. Nothing can touch us in the bubble.
Most importantly, this experience is for them. Only for them. I’m their guide, but the creation process, the exploration, the final garment - it’s all for their enjoyment and satisfaction. Women so rarely get pleasures that are just for them.
So some of my rules feel small, but all strive to live in this image. Here are a few of those rules:
The client always sees it first. I don’t share sketches, fabric, or the finished garment before the client sees it. Not even to my friends or family. The only exception is if I’m struggling with a design and need input from a third party, but that’s it. The client gets the first look.
Custom garments are collaborative. We don’t move on from any step until the client is satisfied. That could mean making changes to the design or doing another version of the mockup. I’m the designer, but I’m not the final judge.
I don’t design for the body shape, I design for the client’s personality and vision. I couldn’t care less what silhouette “makes sense” for someone’s body. Creating a garment that fits is always a priority, but what guides that process is what silhouettes they feel good in and how they want to feel in the garment.
Every custom garment I make has a short message on the inside for the recipient. This message is for them and only they decide whom they share it with. Even when I share pictures of the final garment on social media, this text always stays hidden.
This isn’t every rule I have for myself, and as my business grows so does my understanding of what is needed. But regardless of all the specific small rules, I find having such clear reminders keeps my business what I want it to be. Sure, I want it to be financially sustainable. But regardless of growth I never want to lose track of being a place to empower women. The safe bubble must always stay intact.
If you were me, what rules would you have? Tell me. Send me an email. Maybe it’s something I should add to the list.
