Dallas Fashion Designer Turns $500, One Sewing Machine into Multimillion Dollar International Business

DALLAS, Feb. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- When Dallas native Abi Ferrin launched her fashion design business in 2006 with $500, a single sewing machine and a mission—to help women overcome the notion they must suffer in uncomfortable clothes in the name of fashion—she could only dream that her unique take on women's attire would become an international sensation.

Today, the spunky, yet down-to-earth Ferrin is living that dream, having grown her upstart design business into a global enterprise. With hundreds of boutiques across the U.S., Mexico and even Abu Dhabi now offering her pieces, as well as major distribution channels through Nordstrom and her own website at AbiFerrin.com, Ferrin's company has posted nearly 400 percent net revenue growth in the past year alone and dressed numerous high-profile celebrity clients with her chic Made in the U.S.A. pieces that go from desk to dinner with a quick twist or smart accessories.

Ferrin's dedication to easy, yet sophisticated style and eye for detail keeps her deeply involved in the fabric selection, cutting, stitching and every other aspect of the production side of the business, even as it grows from its local base to a global operation. With a quality/defect rate that far exceeds the fashion industry standard, Ferrin's work has garnered a loyal and growing following of women who adore her smart, contemporary and figure-flattering "no fuss" pieces.

"I'm living proof that, despite all the economic gloom and doom that dominates the news these days, the American dream is still very much alive and well—it just takes dedication, hard work and discipline," Ferrin said. "I've also been extremely fortunate to surround myself with a team that shares my vision and drive, and is willing to work really hard with me. We're all in this together and everyone participates in the creative process. No one skates by here—everyone rolls up their sleeves and works really hard."

To round out her business team, Ferrin has recently partnered with Tina Sivinski-Piermarini, founder of Vivezza Partners LLC, and a seasoned business executive with experience in shepherding multi-billion-dollar enterprises into blockbuster success stories. The two share a mutual respect and admiration for what each brings to the partnership: Ferrin credits Sivinski-Piermarini with transforming her business from "worse than a diamond in the rough" into a gleaming gemstone of success, while Sivinski-Piermarini says it's Ferrin's steadfast discipline, attitude and follow-through that keeps the operation on track.

In reality, it's been a truly blockbuster match-up of skills and expertise. Together the duo have built a strong business infrastructure to support Ferrin's visionary design acumen that has enabled Abi Ferrin Designs to not just weather the economic storm, but thrive, growing the number of new doors offering her pieces by a stellar 1062 percent and reach goals that Ferrin was aiming for in the next five years in just 18 months. All this while maintaining a 100 percent domestic enterprise, with all production, outsourcing, order fulfillment and shipping conducted entirely in the U.S. Who says you've got to go overseas to compete?

"Women all over the world love Abi's edgy style and versatile design aesthetics," Sivinski-Piermarini says. "What really sets her apart is the way her pieces work with your body, rather than having to make your body work with them. They just fit and look great—no matter what your body type. I've seen women actually get a little choked up when they put on Abi's clothing, overwhelmed with how flattering it is and how well it allows them to be comfortable and be themselves, rather than feeling confined or defined by their clothes."

With her new Spring line recently unveiled at Coterie in New York and available now, Ferrin's unique, dimensional motif has evolved to include seasonally bright colors in her signature style that integrates well into all areas of today's on-the-go lifestyle—from car pool to board room.

For more information about Abi Ferrin Designs and to check out her new Spring line, visit www.abiferrin.com.

About Abi Ferrin
Abi Ferrin is an award-winning fashion designer whose mission and purpose is to empower women to look and feel their best. Her collection ignites awareness of global issues through fashion with freedom and purpose, with each Made in the U.S.A. garment featuring a hand-crafted adornment made by women rescued from the sex trade and other forms of abusive employment in Nepal and Cambodia. The Freedom Project, the philanthropic arm of Ferrin's design company, works with organizations that rescue, restore and reintegrate impoverished women and provide alternatives to abusive employment. Ferrin's work is available through Nordstrom and at boutique shops nationwide. For more information, visit www.abiferrin.com.

SOURCE Abi Ferrin Designs

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