What services does Stateless offer?

We work with both start‑ups and established brands to bring products to market, offering everything from product design and development, supply‑chain and production consulting, to brand identity, e‑commerce, packaging and marketing. Our cross‑functional teams of fashion designers, technical designers, product developers and production managers collaborate closely with clients to develop garments that meet high standards of quality and resonate with target audiences. We also handle supply‑chain setup and management, craft brand identities and e‑commerce websites, and provide packaging and direct‑to‑consumer marketing support.

Is Stateless a consultancy, design agency, or factory?

Stateless is an agile team of fashion industry experts that can plug into your business in multiple ways. We operate as both a consultancy—advising on strategy—and a design agency—executing creative and technical work at a high level. We also own The Stateless Factory in China, which we use for select projects when it’s the right fit. Beyond that, we maintain a vetted global network of manufacturers and suppliers, allowing us to build supply chains tailored to each client’s product niche, budget and target retail price.

How do I start working with Stateless?

For fashion start‑ups, we typically recommend enrolling in our Launch Program, which guides new brands through three structured phases. Discover & Define – We help you articulate your brand vision and strategy, perform market research and outline your brand positioning and direction. Design & Validate – Our team produces design sketches and detailed tech packs, develops your brand identity and messaging and creates a website landing page. Produce & Distribute – We handle material sourcing, sample development and fittings, bulk production management, content production, website development, custom packaging and marketing support. To get started, reach out to us to schedule an introductory call where we will learn about your vision and outline a proposal tailored to your needs.

Do you only work with fashion start‑ups?

Not at all. While many of our clients are entrepreneurs starting their first clothing line, we also assist established labels looking to revamp operations and increase efficiencies. Our services extend to retailers’ private‑labels, uniforms and special projects for non‑profits and global enterprises.

Why work with Stateless instead of a “full package” manufacturer?

Many factories claim to be “full package” and able to assist with design, development and production, but their in‑house design services are often amateur and their focus is on cutting and sewing. You need some distance between your design/development team and the manufacturer so your project doesn’t get stuck. Stateless bridges that gap for you. In addition, having your styles properly developed gives you the agility to switch manufacturers if costs or quality change. Factories specialized in one category cannot always deliver consistent quality across all categories, and it’s a red flag if a factory claims to do everything.

Why work with Stateless instead of hiring a freelance fashion designer or an internal team?

Bringing a product to market requires four unique skill sets: design, technical design, product development and production management. Each is completely different. Stateless provides all four, so you don’t have to assemble a patchwork team. Our experts are seasoned and know how to work cross‑functionally to seamlessly and efficiently bring beautiful, professional‑looking products to market.

How does Stateless get paid?

We price our services in three ways: flat rate per style, hourly consulting and monthly retainer based on the scope of work. We are not an agent and only act in the interest of our clients. Factories and vendors invoice our clients directly, giving you transparency and the ability to build relationships with reputable manufacturers. This helps you add high‑quality partners to your vendor list and build good credit for your brand with factories.

What is the importance of having a great brand and not just a great product?

A great product will not get you very far if you don’t communicate its value clearly and consistently through high quality photography and marketing. Fashion is about selling a world and a story as much as it is about selling a product. Stateless has a dedicated branding division that ensures your line is built within a unique, memorable identity.

Why work with Stateless for branding rather than a typical design agency?

While most agencies offer their services to a wide range of businesses, our branding team has a sole focus on fashion. From logos to websites, we understand the unique ways your apparel brand will need to be implemented in both the short and long term. We build your brand in conjunction with the apparel team as part of a single vision and plan, ensuring synergy between design, manufacturing and marketing.

What is a tech pack and why do I need one?

A tech pack is a detailed specification document that tells the factory exactly how to make each garment. It typically includes detailed flat designs with call‑outs, a bill of materials and size and construction specifications. Detailed tech packs ensure manufacturers know exactly how to execute your design, preventing costly production errors and delays. Our technical designers use their decades of industry experience to create professional‑grade tech packs that save clients time and money.

Case Study: Contessa Mills

Sep 19

Written By Stateless

Client & Project

Contessa Mills is a luxury womenswear brand that invites you to abandon the ordinary and embrace the mystical art of dressing up.

As part of our Launch Program, Contessa Mills worked with us to shape a distinct positioning, voice, and aesthetic, then carry it through product and brand development, packaging, and the debut of a captivating website.

The process centered on shaping a blend of elements that embodied the founder’s vision and mission, while creating a distinct world where customers could feel a true sense of connection.

Brand Philosophy & Design Approach

Contessa Mills is a celebration and exploration of both form and formlessness, embodying the magnificent forces, seen and unseen, that transform the ordinary. Drawing from the material exuberance and elegance of New York City life and the mystique of ancient occult practices, our design approach crafts every garment as a unique work of art that inspires awe, instills confidence, and embodies unparalleled distinction.

Brand Motifs & Textures

Each season, Contessa Mills introduces a hand-drawn tarot card that captures the spirit and story of the collection. Symbols from these illustrations are adapted into brand touchpoints—appearing as embellishments on graphics and documents. Within the apparel itself, the tarot art reemerges in subtle placements, creating hidden moments of discovery and artistry.

The Apparel

The inaugural collection of Contessa Mills draws its inspiration from the enigmatic symbolism of the World Tarot card, embodying the essence of completion and fulfillment. Embracing a distinctive blend of feminine and masculine elements, this collection is a delicate dance of impeccable construction and enchanting details. Each piece is a testament to versatility—effortlessly styled, yet undeniably captivating.

The Packaging

We created a packaging suite for Contessa Mills that combines luxury, sustainability, and protection for the brand’s delicate pieces. Direct-to-consumer orders include branded garment bags and hangers that safeguard shipments while doubling as reusable brand touchpoints. To elevate the unboxing, we added sensory details like silver-foiled tarot matchboxes and scented sachets. For pop-ups and events, we designed custom limewash retail bags finished with a raised spot-gloss logo.

Photography & Video

To bring Contessa Mills’ world to life, we guided the coordination of two studio shoots that captured the collection with precision and artistry. Working closely with trusted creative partners, we ensured every detail—from lighting and styling to the way garments were presented—reflected the brand’s identity and upheld the quality of the clothing. The resulting lookbook and product shots deliver imagery that feels both elevated and true to the Contessa Mills brand.

The Messaging & Voice

To establish a clear and compelling brand voice for Contessa Mills, we developed a Lexicon that defined both the core messaging and the stylistic principles behind it. This framework included a mission statement, one-liner, and tagline, along with a detailed playbook for how the brand should speak across contexts. We emphasized qualities like mystery, luxury, exclusivity, artistry, femininity, and contemporary edge—each expressed through concrete examples of language to use and avoid. By grounding the voice in both philosophy and practice, we ensured that every piece of copy, from press releases to product descriptions, would communicate the brand’s distinct identity with consistency and impact .

The Website

The Contessa Mills website was crafted to embody the brand’s high-fashion ethos and artistic spirit. Large cinematic videos and striking imagery present the clothing as works of art, creating an immersive experience that goes beyond shopping. Every detail—from layout to media—was curated to capture the brand’s luxury and creativity, inviting visitors to step into the Contessa Mills universe.

Celebs & Cult Following

Since its launch, Contessa Mills has quickly gained momentum, drawing a devoted community of customers who connect deeply with the brand’s vision. Its pieces are already being embraced by celebrities, amplifying its reach and cultural relevance. Contessa Mills has extended its reach through distinctive parties, pop-ups, and Fashion Week showcases—immersive experiences that highlight the brand’s artistry and reinforce its place as a rising force in luxury womenswear.

Contessa Mills is more than a fashion label; it is a narrative of empowerment, art, and mystique, all woven into the fabric of its designs. Through strategic branding, we have endeavored to craft a brand that not only stands out in the competitive fashion market but also deeply connects with its audience, offering them a unique way to express their individuality. By continuously evolving and embracing the mystical art of dressing up, Contessa Mills maintains its commitment to bring novelty and awe into the everyday lives of its wearers, ensuring that each garment is a testament to the extraordinary.

SEE MORE AT CONTESSAMILLS.COM

Stateless

Our team of fashion design and branding veterans works together with emerging brands and established enterprises on any or every stage of their design, development, and production process, culminating in building beautiful Squarespace e-commerce sites.

https://www.stateless.nyc/

Case Study: Contessa Mills

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