LOHO Product Design
I took it upon myself to reconstruct a stagnant industry after having a simple yet profound epiphany: why don’t tights have the same waistband as underwear? By rethinking two tubes of nylon meant to slim and shape, I brought a completely new product to market, giving tights a much-needed update: a comfortable waistband. And I patented it.
I wanted to change the way women felt in tights. Which I passionately expressed in a Medium article, Tights for the Body Positive.
After a few very expensive, failed attempts at mass production, I started limiting production to 50 pairs per style. Each pair was sewn in Seattle through the Refugee Artisan Initiative, transforming the lives of refugee and immigrant women by providing sustainable employment in sewing and handcrafting products.
Being 100% self-funded by my copywriting work, I had to eventually close up shop. I learned a lot. Things no college professor could have taught me about the retail business. And the infringements, while infuriating, were ultimately flattering. Comfortable waistbands didn’t exist when I started. And now they’re paving the way forward.