Building the Foundation: Finding the Right Designer and Factory

Written by Tina Yau - 

March and April flew by as I focused on meeting bag designers and connecting with anyone who could guide me toward reliable factories in New York or overseas.

By May, I got lucky. I connected with a talented handbag designer who had worked with some of the most well-known and beloved brands. She had an impeccable eye for detail and a stylish aesthetic that aligned perfectly with my vision. From the moment we met, I knew we’d work well together. She joined me immediately, and we dove right into creating the first TYVY design. (I’ll share more on the fabric and design process later!)

Navigating Factory Challenges

On the factory front, things were a little trickier. I reached out to my dear friend, Pauline, who has had over 30 years of experience in the garment industry in NYC. She's an expert like no other and have worked with some of the best designers out there creating beautiful pieces! Since her factory specializes in clothing, she pointed me in the right direction, but before she sent me off, she produced a simple pattern for me in the dimensions I had envisioned for the bag. Pauline’s guidance and support were and continue to be invaluable—thank you, Pauline!

While this is not the design, Pauline's team created a simple tech pattern as shown below just so I can get an idea of the dimensions that I was looking for:

From the pattern to sample bag to get a feel of the nylon material I original choose:

Networking really proved to be my lifeline during this phase. Once I started asking questions, doors opened. People in my network introduced me to potential contacts, including factory owners both locally and overseas. 

During this time, I also spent a lot of time sourcing fabric—from exploring the NYC garment district to national fabric suppliers. I focused mainly on nylon because, for travel and daily use, nylon is:

✔Strong and durable (can withstand daily wear and tear)
✔ Water-resistant (perfect for unpredictable commutes and travel mishaps)
✔ Lightweight (because who needs extra weight on their shoulders?)
✔ Resistant to oils and easy to spot clean (ideal for those always on the go!)

I was always the corporate girl with a leather bag in hand. But as an active city mom—balancing work, the gym, playdates, and everything in between—I realized I needed something different. I wanted a functional bag meaning thoughtful pockets and compartments that kept me looking and feeling "stylish but polished" that could keep me organized and carry it all without feeling too corporate, especially since my office leaned business casual.

Why I Had to Look Overseas

I initially wanted to manufacture my bags in New York, but I quickly learned that wasn’t feasible. The bag’s functional elements made it too complex for local factories, which lacked the specialized machinery needed for production.

I also learned that functional bags are one of the most technical categories to design and produce. Manufacturers need specialized machinery and highly skilled technicians—a blend of artistry and engineering. I saw this firsthand when I visited my first factory (more to come on that soon!).

Through networking and research, I connected with a few small, family-run factories overseas that specialize in handbags. Direct communication was key, and by the end of May, I had narrowed it down to three or four promising options.

This was just the beginning—next up, refining the first TYVY design and prototype!