About us.

Our team includes fashion designers, technical designers, product developers, production managers, and brand designers from major corporations and notable startups with degrees from top schools like Parsons, RISD, and FIT.

Leadership Team

  • Souad Acha

    CHIEF PROJECT OFFICER
    & CO-FOUNDER

    Souad (Sou) has been working in the fashion industry for over 20 years. She has a strong track record in developing brands and managing creative teams. From New York to San Francisco, she has designed and concepted for leading American retailers including Gap Inc., Oshkosh B’gosh, The Children’s Place, JC Penney, American Eagle Outfitters, and Tea Collection. Souad was also instrumental in launching new kids brands for American Eagle Outfitters and JC Penney: 77Kids and Baker by Ted Baker.

  • Stefanie Tacata

    CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
    & CO-FOUNDER

    While working at an educational consulting firm in NYC in her past life, Stefanie learned the ropes of the consulting business and business development. Knowing that people were knocking on Souad's door for concept and design help, Stef approached Sou with the idea of building a design and consulting agency for brands seeking to outsource creative design and development. Souad agreed and they became the Brains and the Creative behind Stateless Fashion Design and Consulting!

  • Evan Polivy

    CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER
    & DIRECTOR OF BRAND DEVELOPMENT

    Evan is our branding expert. He attended RISD where he studied film, graphic design, photography, and apparel. Prior to joining Stateless, Evan worked as an agency Creative Director with clients such as Google, IBM, and Sotheby’s. Evan prides himself on his unique ability to bring artists together to form cohesive and memorable brands and experiences.

    Evan also owns The Rafter Club where he has constructed a world of basketball-inspired menswear.

  • Amie Weber

    DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS
    & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

    Amie has over 20 years of experience as an Account Director collaborating with both domestic and international clientele. Amie spent most of her career in the hospitality industry working with brands such as W Hotels, Westin, St. Regis, Sheraton, and Marriott. Amie utilizes a strong sales acumen to connect with clients and identify successful solutions to their needs.

    Amie is an Ironman Triathlete and 12X Marathoner. She is also a culinary arts graduate with a passion for natural wine.

Core Design & Management Team

  • Ericka Mays

    SENIOR PRODUCTION MANAGER

    Ericka Mays grew up in Chicago. She started her fashion career in retail, working for such stores as Marshall Field, Neiman Marcus, and Henri Bendel. Upon moving to New York City, she worked for Cynthia Rowley as her Production Manager and subsequently as the Director of Production for Norma Kamali.

  • Courtney Bagtazo

    SENIOR PRODUCT DEVELOPER & PROJECT MANAGER

    Courtney has worked in product development and production management for over 20 years. She has provided production expertise to emergent and established brands including Battenwear, Best Made, Jesse Kamm, and Cuyana.

  • Madeleine Edwards

    SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

    With over 10 years of experience, Madeleine is a skilled Graphic Designer and Art Director. Madeleine has worked on identities, websites, ad campaigns, and creative content for brands in a variety of industries including fashion, home, hospitality, and food.

  • Phyllis Sevachko

    LEAD PRODUCTION MANAGER & PROJECT MANAGER

    Phyllis began her 20 year career at Casablanca. From there, she went on to work as a Director of Production and Product Development for such companies as Li & Fung, Splendid, and One Jeanswear Group. She has launched several retailer/designer collaborations with Vera Wang, Elie Tahari, and Milly.

  • Taylor Stapleton

    FASHION DESIGNER & PROJECT COORDINATOR

    Taylor’s experience has been primarily in design, however having worked with several startups, she has worn many hats within the industry allowing her to develop a unique skillset. With an array of design experience at brands such as Kala Wear, Naadam, and Rachel Roy, Taylor assists clients from concept to final product through thoughtful design and coordination.

  • Lindsey Williams

    LEAD TECHNICAL DESIGNER

    For the past 15 years, Lindsey has focused her career on the "how it's made" aspect of the apparel industry with a strong background in pattern making and technical design, with expertise in fit and size grading over a broad range of apparel categories. She has worked with such brands as The Reformation, Norma Kamali, and VF Corporation to name a few.

  • Caroline Cockerham

    SENIOR DESIGNER & DEVELOPER

    Caroline is a technology and sustainability focused designer, with a special concentration in 3D seamless knitting. She has worked in domestic and international textile mills, for small and large brands, design agencies and fashion start-ups. Caroline is passionate about finding smart and sustainable ways to produce clothing. Brands she has worked for include Patagonia, Lucy Activewear, Wool and the Gang, Appalatch, and Nimbly Made.

  • Virgil Sparks

    DESIGNER

    Throughout his extensive experience and top-notch training, Virgil has applied his design talent across the fashion landscape - from fun and thoughtful childrenswear at Macy's and Sears, to custom couture-level garments for celebrities and performers at Asher Levine and Yigal Azrouël. With a passion for concept development and quality construction, he is able to seamlessly elevate clients' visions.

  • Robyn Fink

    SENIOR PRODUCT DEVELOPER
    & SALES ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

    Robyn graduated from FIT with a Degree in Fashion Merchandising Management. She started her career as a Production Assistant at Kids Headquarters working on children's sleepwear. She then worked at Victoria's Secret Pink for 10 years in Product Development.

Our network.

Stateless has an extensive network of manufacturers, specialty vendors, and material vendors in the United States and overseas. We've vetted and built many strong relationships with factories that meet our high standards of ethics, quality, and cost effectiveness. Our designers and production managers are fluent in technical "factory speak," meaning they know how to communicate with manufacturers to ensure excellent product. Through costing exercises and capability discoveries we will provide the perfect apparel manufacturers for your needs.

Stateless cares about creating functional, beautiful products and meaningful brands. We work with clients who share those same values. Here's what some of our clients have shared about working with us:

  • "We have absolutely loved working with this group of great people! They are so knowledgeable and friendly. We couldn’t have asked for a better connection."

    -JAMIE WALLACE, FROSTY BRIDGE

  • "We LOVE the Stateless team. I'm drafting an email to send over today to kick-start our next project."

    -AUBREY HUBBELL, HELLO HAZEL

  • "I am always talking about Stateless and what a great find ya'll are."

    -ABBY LUTZ

  • "The Stateless team are the best in the industry, hands down. We feel so lucky to have them on our side. True professionals, through and through, we can't recommend Stateless enough."

    -PRESIDENT OF INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE LABEL

  • "They made it a reality. They took my dream and made it a reality."

    -FOUNDER OF NEW LINE SOLD IN BOUTIQUES IN THE U.S. AND PARIS

  • "I think the Stateless opportunity is for new businesses, to get them up and running and actually making the product. It's being able to come in and understand what your brand is about, and help you find factories whether you want to create product domestically, or overseas. They'll explain the advantages and disadvantages of both."

    -VP OF BOX SUBSCRIPTION COMPANY BASED IN NYC

  • "Working with them made my product. The quality of my product has changed. They take care of approving products and quality to extreme detail."

    -FOUNDER OF CHILDREN’S LINE IN ITS 6TH SUCCESSFUL SEASON

  • "Without them, it would've been much harder to launch."

    -FOUNDER/CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF NEW PRODUCT LINE IN STORES AROUND THE NATION

  • "They're able to come in and understand what your brand is about."

    -FORMER CREATIVE DIRECTOR AT MAJOR RETAILER

  • "Trust their taste level; trust their point of view."

    -CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF NEW FASHION COMPANY IN SOHO

Why Stateless?

  • Working with Stateless for apparel product design and development offers several advantages compared to opting for manufacturers who claim to provide design services as part of a "full package" solution. One key advantage is the level of expertise and professionalism that Stateless provides. Factories may not have expert designers, product developers, or category-specific experts on staff, which can result in subpar designs and services. In contrast, Stateless has a diverse team of experienced professionals who address the complexities and challenges faced by businesses in the fashion industry.

    Another advantage of working with Stateless is the agility it offers. Brands can evaluate the work of different manufacturers and switch between them as needed due to scaling, business shifts, or quality issues. Stateless can act as a liaison and advocate for brands when communicating with manufacturers in technical factory language, ensuring that their best interests are represented.

    Additionally, working with Stateless ensures a separation between design and production facilities, which is essential for maintaining accountability and quality control throughout the development process. Relying solely on factories for design work may lead to multiple sample rounds, costly mistakes, and potential conflicts of interest.

    In summary, Stateless offers a holistic approach to product development with a diverse team of experts, transparency, and accountability throughout the production process. This makes Stateless a reliable and professional partner for brands looking to create high-quality apparel lines.

  • $ lost on insufficient skill

    The inefficiencies in terms of both cost and time incurred by operating with a skeleton staff can be significant. While opting for a singular freelancer may seem cost-effective initially, the complexities of proper product development necessitate a diverse range of skill sets that cannot be adequately covered by one individual. Design, product development, sourcing, bulk production, and factory liaising are all essential components in bringing a product to market successfully. Engaging a freelancer for design work alone may lead to disconnects in the overall supply chain, potentially resulting in the need for redesigning to align with supply chain, material sourcing, and pricing strategies.

  • $ and time lost in inevitable DIY mistakes

    In comparison to platforms like Upwork and freelance services, Stateless offers a comprehensive approach that addresses the shortcomings often encountered in the product development process. Platforms such as Pietra and Alibaba, while providing directories of factories and tools for support, may fall short in delivering the level of professionalism and quality expected by consumers. As a business partner, Stateless surpasses DIY websites in terms of robustness and effectiveness, offering a superior solution for those seeking to establish a professional product line.

  • While most agencies offer their services to a wide range of businesses, our branding team has a sole focus on fashion. From lookbooks, to tags, to packaging, to ecommerce websites, etc. we intimately understand the unique ways your apparel brand will need to be implemented in both the short and long term, and we help you conceptualize and build your brand accordingly. Our branding team builds your brand with the apparel team as part of a single vision and plan to ensure cohesion and efficiency.

  • $ and time lost in subpar work and lack of transparency

    When evaluating Stateless against other fashion design agencies and fashion consultancies, the importance of transparency and quality workmanship becomes apparent. The fashion industry values expertise, experience, and investment in the design and production of high-quality apparel. With a team boasting extensive experience in major US fashion corporations, Stateless stands out as a trusted partner for brands seeking professionalism and excellence. Unlike many agencies that lack transparency and may engage in non-ideal practices, Stateless prioritizes open communication, avoids unnecessary costs in bulk production, and upholds the integrity of its clients' patterns.

FAQ

  • No, we are a design, development, production management, and brand development company. We have built trusted relationships with 30+ factories globally and domestically - we will advise on the manufacturer that is best for your line/product and coordinate, manage, and communicate with the factory throughout the production process.. We are not an agent and do not have any monetary relationships with these manufacturers. Therefore, you can rest assured we are recommending the absolute best manufacturing partner for your business, category, and style type. Your success is ultimately our success as your trusted business partner.

  • We price in three different ways: flat rate per style, hourly consulting, and monthly retainer based on the scope of the line. We are not an agent, and only act, consult, advise, project manage, in the best interest of our clients. Factories/vendors invoice our clients directly. This is valuable for two reasons:

    You will be able to add reputable high-quality manufacturing partners to your list of vendors (most of the time not the type of factory you can just Google)

    You are building good credit for your brand with reputable factories, which is necessary in building a professional/sustainable product supply chain.

  • A great product will not get you very far if you don’t communicate its value clearly and consistently through high quality photography, messaging, graphics etc. But more importantly, fashion is about selling a world and a story as much as it is about selling a product. Stateless has a branding division that works closely with the apparel team to ensure your line is built within a unique, memorable identity.