When we hear about a made in America brand, naturally we assume the product is produced in either Los Angeles or New York. And that assumption is so very wrong. Proving that point is Kate D’Arcy, the founder and CEO of TOGGERY, a label whose HQ is based in Philadelphia, PA. Originally started as a knitwear company, TOGGERY has been expanding since it’s start and is slowly working its way into the lifestyle sector. D’Arcy filled us in on her background, what the future of the brand looks like, and of course, where the best cheesesteak can be found in Philly…
Give us the TOGGERY elevator pitch, please!
I started TOGGERY in late 2007 after working in the manufacturing side of the fashion industry. My experience was primarily in knitwear and during my time in manufacturing I was exposed to every step of the process, from designing collections to knitting fabrics to sampling and finally packaging and marketing the product. I saw a void in a marketplace that was saturated with California brands, whose product was overpriced for the quality and whose aesthetic of bright colors and large graphics didn’t appeal to my fashion sensibility.
Did you study fashion design at all?
My fashion background has always been very hands on. I don’t have a formal education in fashion, outside of night school for clothing construction, design, and merchandising. I’ve also dabbled in styling and spent some time freelancing and producing photo shoots. Everything I know about fashion and the industry I’ve experienced firsthand through the trial and error that comes with actual work experience.
What’s the story behind the name Toggery?
Ultimately, we’re all about keeping it simple. TOGGERY is a synonym for clothing. When choosing the name, I was looking for something that was distinctive anc could transition beyond women’s wear as the brand grows into other categories.
Where exactly is your brand produced?
We manufacture, dye and cut our goods in Eastern Pennsylvania, namely Philadelphia or the Reading area. Our main facility is in center city Philadelphia, which is where most of sampling and major production takes place.
What’s the Philly fashion scene like?
When it comes to production in Philadelphia, you’d be surprised. There’s a small community of dye houses, cut and sew facilities, and samples houses, some better than others. The best facilities are doing quite well with plenty of demand from local brands as well as the Urban Outfitter companies that are headquartered in South Philly. The production facility we use actually has to turn business away, which is why our hard work in cultivating relationships is so important.
Given your Philly home base, where can we find the very best cheesesteak?
Tony Lukes. I prefer American cheese, not wiz!
There are a lot of basics labels out there these days! What distinguishes TOGGERY from the competition?
Our attitude and approach to creating product sets TOGGERY apart from other brands in the contemporary marketplace. Every step of our creative and production process is focused around creating the best quality product for our customer at an accessible price point. We’re very selective in the specific yarns we use to custom knit our fabrics, and we cut and sew our product so fabric lays just right, but still manages to maintain shape and color wash after wash. Ultimately, we pride ourselves on our brand design aesthetic. We create what contemporary women want to wear; sophisticated casual wear with a downtown vibe that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Splurge on designer shoes, bags or denim and let us tie your whole look together.
Have you ever considered relocating Toggery HQ to NYC or the West Coast?
Our roots are here on the East Coast. We’re flexible on where the brand ends up, but we don’t see a reason to move our production and home office from Philadelphia. Our production and manufacturing partners are in Pennsylvania, and I completely trust them. Our sales, marketing and PR offices are in NYC, but we keep production and home offices close to the production lines. It’s important we always maintain our ability to react to market trends and our customers quickly when it comes to creating product.
What’s your expansion plan for TOGGERY over the next few years?
I see the brand expanding into a full lifestyle collection and eventually incorporating other categories, but we’re never going to sacrifice the quality, fit, feel, and price point of our goods just for the sake of growth. TOGGERY has come this far because we’re a line that customers can count on to create a great product. Wherever that takes us, I’m interested to find out.
