Throwback over 3 decades.

"I entered the handbag industry when I was 18, just after finishing my school college, back in 1988.

I learned sewing in the 12 worker sample room of my dad’s handbag factory as a starting point, then making bag patterns, sourcing materials, trims and hardware, production, quality control/ assurance, logistics, exporting and attending many, many tradeshows all over the world.

Over the next 15 years, my dad’s factory developed from 100 workers to 600 workers and we found that we needed to develop professional management skills. My Dad sent me to learn all about ISO9000 Quality Management Systems and I became the Head of Delegation, Management Representative for the factory.

Following on from this I moved over to work for an IPO handbag factory, which allowed me to explore the handbag world on a much larger scale. The first client I worked for was Vera Wang (SVVW), then Avon, Tory Burch…and scores of other luxury fashion brands. Finally, my last employed position was overseeing the 600 worker sample room for COACH handbags in a Universal Group handbag factory.

Emerging from this period of COVID-19, my husband and I have built iFarmaissance brands @ifarmbrands together. Our focus has evolved to environmental, economic and social impacts and a sense of social responsibility now drives most of our decision making.

These are few photos of me in front of a sewing machine back in 2003 and a photo of me in March this year sourcing deadstock fabrics in Hong Kong. This is the journey I have been on since 1988, thank you for joining me and I look forward to sharing many special new moments with you in the future …"

Jennifer Gardner @jc.gardner, Founder