When you're building a product-based brand from scratch, finding the right manufacturer is make or break. Getting it right first time will save you time, money, and countless headaches. Get it wrong? You'll waste all three.
Our Journey
Manufacturer #1: Bali
"We are the makers behind all the big brands" that's what their website claimed. It sounded like I'd struck gold. Bali was close to where I was living in Australia at the time, and let's be honest, it was the perfect excuse to squeeze in a trip before I left that part of the world.
But when I met them..
- They tore apart every design I presented.
- Had zero interest in helping to source bespoke hardware or textured, elevated fabrics.
- No flexibility, no rapport, and not even a follow-up email after the visit.
It was disheartening, but also a blessing in disguise. It taught me that flashy and false promises on websites don't equal compatibility or care.
Manufacturer #2: Outskirts of London
Switching gears, I set my sights on Europe, and ultimately home. After researching manufacturers in Italy, Portugal, and Spain, I kept circling back to the idea of producing in the UK.
Why?
✓ Supporting local business
The first London manufacturer looked perfect on paper. They were startup-friendly, positive in meetings, and offered practical advice.
But there was no click.
Big red flag? I wasn't allowed to call or text the actual maker. All communication had to go through a receptionist over email.
For me, that's just not how lasting partnerships are built and I was not going to learn along the way.
So I walked away.
The One We Chose
After nearly giving up on London altogether, I found a final option worth trying.
✓ Local to home
This was the one. No flashy promises, just genuine people who cared about quality and collaboration. Nothing was too much trouble, we got on well straight away and I came away knowing it was right.
A Quick Recap
We spoke to manufacturers in 6 different countries in total:
𖡡 BALI
𖡡 ITALY
𖡡 TURKEY
𖡡 SPAIN
𖡡 UK
We visited three in person before making our final choice.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a manufacturer isn't just about price or capabilities, it's about partnership, vision, and gut feeling. I wasn't just looking for someone who could make bikinis, I was looking for someone who believed in what I was building and could help me get there. Yes, manufacturing in the UK is not the cheapest option, but for a start-up it is indispensable to be able to speak the same language, visit often, and trust each other.
It takes patience, don't rush the process!