One might think making cute bags would be a somewhat easeful process, right? Think again. Since launching For the Ages in October 2019, we’ve been through four different factories. Here’s the quick overview of wackiness:
Factory #1 who wanted to partner with us, dropped us right before our biggest wholesale order with Selfridges.
Factory #2 kept raising prices so high we couldn’t wholesale, they were charging us retail prices.
Factory #3 became obsessed with us relocating to LA. When we confirmed it was just a possibility, he suddenly couldn’t produce anything for at least 4 months out, and couldn’t promise future availability. He also wanted to hire us as his production manager, but kept on keeping us hanging.
Which brings us to the strange saga of Factory #4…
We found them on social media. They were following us and worked with other legitimate brands. After long discussions, we moved forward with a sample. The first sample wasn’t the right filler, but seemed good quality, they agreed to remake it. Once the remake came through and looked up to par, we ordered samples of the other styles. After confirming samples, using deadstock fabric they had in the factory, we placed a very small order, 4 bags, 10 pieces each.
Then everything got super weird on top of taking what seemed like forever.
1.5 months later, I traveled to meet them abroad. They gave me the wrong address (a decoy?), introduced me to a new assistant I’d never heard of who was actively working on my order, and only half the order was in production, despite being 1.5 months in. Oh, and I was told the original sample factory had shut down (first time I heard that) in person.
When the order finally arrived, last week, rather 2.5 months late, half the bags were wrong.
The Blue Satin Grace Case, normally $365, came with a different filler and raw edges near the flap. We’ve adjusted the price to $175, she's still beautiful and functional, but not up to our typical FtA standard.
The Yoko Tote was supposed to be in grey denim with structured straps and filler, arrived as black denim, no structure, and no minimal filler, much softer than our regular standard. Still stunning, but we’ve priced her at $295, down from the usual $345.
Even with photo evidence (yes, we even had ChatGPT confirm the difference 🤡), the factory refused to acknowledge the mistakes or offer a refund. They blamed the use of deadstock fabric for the variation, but we have the original swatches. They’re completely different fabrics.
If you’ve made it this far, thank you. This is the reality of small-scale, independent production. It’s draining, expensive, and full of unpredictable variables, even when you over anticipate like asking for photo updates of the process. But sharing these pieces with you, and seeing how you wear and love them, that has always made it worth it.
That said, this may be our final run. We’re out of time, out of funds, and out of factory leads, unless by some miracle an investor or aligned partner shows up.
If you’d like to own a piece of our story, now’s the time.
And if you’re looking for a creative or brand consultant/help? I’m your girl. Let’s build something better, with integrity from the start.
Thank you for loving For the Ages. We love you so much right back.
XOXOXO,
Jacq.