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Love Lorn Lingerie’s 5 Year Anniversary!
Jan
On this day five years ago, I started an Etsy shop on a whim, using a name that I thought sounded catchy, descriptive, sweet, and a little lonesome. Love Lorn Lingerie.
At the time, I didn’t think that this would be anything more than a minor hobby, something that would maybe pay for itself. I started with these simple styles: a leather harness bra, two types of chain and leather body harnesses and a simple leather collar. I made them using scrap leather, jewelry materials (I used to make jewelry in my free time) and leather starter tools. And look they’re still available! I’ve refined the process of making them a little but otherwise they’re pretty much the same.
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I had had experience with Etsy in the past so listing the leather harnesses for sale was a simple matter. I didn’t expect them to sell very quickly, but it only took a little over a week for the first harness bra to sell. Woohoo! The rush of dopamine felt really good (of course it did). It’s been quite a learning curve since then! Fashion school really just doesn’t prepare you for 1) how the fashion industry really works and 2) building your own brand/business. I still remember when, right after graduating, my mother asked me if I wanted to start my own fashion line. At the time, burned out from working on my thesis in my less than satisfactory final year at Pratt Institute, my immediate response was NooOPE. No thank you ma’am. I was just going to be happy if I got a job in the fashion industry.
I did and oh boy. It got boring for me pretty quickly. I thought I was just unhappy with the particular company, or the current work I was doing, or the position I was in. I switched companies a few times and it never seemed to get better. I have lots of thoughts and opinions (so many opinions) on the corporate work environment as well but I won’t get into that just now. I do think that having Love Lorn Lingerie on the side gives me passion, excitement and growth, a reason to actually go into work. I really enjoy making leather harnesses and lingerie, collars and wings and fun costume piece; I am happiest on a sunny day at my work table, working on new designs.
I’m excited about the future of this brand. These past five years have been a bit of a slow build but I still feel like the best has yet to come. I have lots of new ideas, and they keep coming whether I’m ready for them or not. And I think that’s the beauty of creativity; it’s infinite. I used to feel like I’d run out of ideas, designing for my both my day job and this brand. Luckily, it’s not the case – they’re both so different, and honestly, the more you use creativity, the stronger it becomes. It’s like a muscle, really, breaking with each hard use but then growing stronger, rebuilding in a better way.
I think the only regret I have is that I didn’t utilize social media as much as I should have. I see now that it’s one of the biggest marketing tools out there, and a few years ago it was easier to be seen on it. Back when Instagram and Facebook were still chronological, before these intricate algorithms started changing how we connected with each other. If I had to do it over, this is the one bit of knowledge that I would want to take back in time with me.
Anyway, if you’re reading this, I just want to say thank you. Whether you’ve followed me for the past few years or just the past few days, I’m glad you’re here. I honestly never expected to even get to this point. I am happy to have made so many new connections with humanity. I’ve met so many strong, inspiring people who are genuinely happy with their lives, who are unafraid to show all their colors no matter what society thinks. You guys make the late nights and the doubt and the work WORTH IT.
So hey. Thank you.
Ps from now until January 14th, 2019, use code happynewyear19 to take 25% off EVERYTHING in my store – leather harnesses, lacy bras, cute collars, EVERYTHING.
