In Puerto Rico, there are many people who have developed clothing manufacturing micro-enterprises, but few have established businesses in the underwear niche.
At Sirena Magazine we have given ourselves the task of exposing two talented women who accepted the challenge of launching lines within the underwear market. This is the case of two entrepreneurs and Sirena Pattern students, Gisela Medina and Beatriz Molina. They both started making underwear, each with a very special purpose. Get to know them here!
When did you make the decision to undertake in the field of fashion?
During the beginning of the pandemic, in the year 2020, it was very difficult to find underwear in stores. It took us a long time to receive package shipments from the United States or any other countries. At that time I had set out to learn how to sew my own underwear. I took multiple sewing courses, read several books and started practicing. Ever since I managed to make my own underwear, I haven’t looked back. Nothing like wearing underwear made to measure for you.
Why did you choose to specialize in the making of underwear?
Two reasons. The first, because I really enjoy the process; from choosing the fabrics, the style and the final details of each piece. When I started an account on social media, with the purpose of documenting my evolution in underwear sewing, I noticed that my friends and family expressed that they wanted similar pieces, when seeing my posts. That’s how it all started, creating pieces for my mother and close friends.
Second, I like to educate. I have learned about taking measurements to choose the correct size of your underwear, especially the bra. It’s not complex, but it’s something that nobody teach us. Through Elsa Studio I hope that people learn to take their body measurements so that they know how to choose with certainty the size of their bra and/or panty that best suits their body. How many times have we said that a bra squeezes us or leaves us breathless? Many times! That happens because we are wearing a piece of underwear that is not our size. This can be changed by educating people.
When developing your creations: What inspires you?
My grandmother, Elsa Vega. I like flowers and sewing as she did too. I am also inspired by fabrics. I have a problem because every time I see a beautiful fabric with a floral pattern, bright colors or lace, I want to have it. Once I have the fabrics and the elastics, I think about the different pieces that I can create. Grandma Elsa looked forward to Saturdays because it was the day to go shopping for fabrics in the town stores.
What do you hope to convey with your designs?
Comfort. Beauty. Delicacy. The possibility that a bra, bralette or pantyhose feel like part of your own skin.
What will we see next from Elsa Studio?
We plan to do a soft-launch of the “Elsa Studio” website on April 30, 2022, where we will have a very limited number of pieces available. The plan is to release collections of limited pieces on important dates throughout the year. In the coming months, we plan to offer the tailor-made parts service. The customer places the order and selects his/her measurements. With this information we make the pieces.
Would you like to share something else with our readers?
I have learned about taking measurements to choose the correct size of your underwear, especially your bra. It’s not complex, but it’s something they don’t teach us. We encourage you to stay connected to our social networks so that you are up to date with our news.
“I really enjoy the process; from choosing the fabrics, the style and the final details of each piece”
When did you make the decision to undertake in the field of fashion?
Since I was very young I liked to make pieces. I must have been about 9 years old when I made my first pants. I took several sewing courses during my teenage years, and while I was in college, sewing was a way to earn an extra income. But, it was not until 2018 when I decided to quit my job, to officially undertake in the fashion industry.
Why did you choose to specialize in the making of underwear?
Underwear is something that is never too much. For me it was and still is a weakness to buy underwear, but, on very few occasions I was satisfied with the fit of those. I saw an opportunity in a market that has been forgotten: made-to-measure underwear. I thought: “if it feels good to have beautiful underwear, imagine being able to have exclusive underwear, made to measure and comfortable”. It would be a success!
When developing your creations: What inspires you?
Any moment or situation is a great opportunity to get inspired, although I must admit that I love being able to work on designs that offer comfort, good fit and fun designs.
What do you hope to convey with your designs?
The main objective of Happy Pantie is to reaffirm each person’s confidence with their body through the comfort of our designs. All bodies are welcome because we love diversity.
What's next for Happy Panty?
At the moment, we are exclusively working on panties, but soon our collection of bras and bralettes will be released, which will be standardized and custom sizes. We are also currently working on opening our website.
Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
All bodies deserve to have comfortable, beautiful clothes that make them feel good. Never stop being yourself. Work hard and all your dreams will come true.
I am sure that both Beatriz and Gisela will be very successful with their projects. Congratulations for being brave and inspiring us all with your creations. You can also learn to create your own pieces of underwear with our Daisy pattern ideal for beginners. It includes 4 options: 2 bralette styles and 2 panties.
Dare to sew your own underwear! In our sewing club we teach you how to sew a bralette and a panty. As a member of Sirena Elite you have access to exclusive tutorials, a free pattern per month and more benefits. Join by clicking here.
-
Quick ViewAdd to cart
Article written by
Mariana Morales, Community Manager at Sirena Patterns
