Company Profile: Lavit Lingerie
The three sisters who founded Lavit lingerie in 2004 admitted they did not know “the first thing about intimate apparel.” The brand was launched as a project between Vivi Baril, Laura Baril and Tina Baril-Goodman to follow in the footsteps of their grandfather, who developed a textiles factory in Mexico City. Vivi Baril had an eye for style and was a buyer for a high-end jewelry line, Laura was an account executive for a shoe company and Tina held a law degree.
Six years later, Lavit’s halter bras, half-camis, bralettes, thongs and panties in see-through sheer lace and sexy cuts have emerged as the bread and butter of its business. Lavit is one of the top-selling lines at Black Satin Intimates in the Wynn Resorts in Las Vegas, which also carries brands such as Simone Perele, Aubade, Cosabella, Wolford and Booty Parlor.
“The [sheer lace] halter bra is a really great bra for someone with enhancements,” said Tanya Killeen, retail buyer at Wynn Resorts. “There’s not a ton of support there, but that girl doesn’t need it, so it’s an easy fit for a range of busts and back sizes. They’re sexy and cute at the same time. hellip; Lavit is satisfying the youth and playful customer.”
Killeen added that the brand’s professionalism is key to its success at Black Satin.
“Lavit is always on time, if not early. You’re looking at deliveries and how your store is going to turn as your merchandise delivers. When you’ve got someone calling and they’re saying, ’We’re six weeks behind,’ it throws your whole store off. They are great partners as far as a retailer is concerned—their willingness to work in store. They do a lot of internal promotions with our staff,” Killeen said.
Last year, the sisters moved the company’s production to a different factory in Brazil with more advanced capabilities, enabling the founders to make the company’s most cohesive, comprehensive collections yet for Fall 2010 and Spring 2011. Lavit elaborated on its lace items with more complicated designs, such as straps that meet in an “X” on the back and petite triangle-shaped bralettes. Price points for the new line have dropped a few dollars for certain items. Wholesale prices for a lace halter bra are $28, boyshorts are $19 and thongs are $15 to $16.
The company’s combination of a new factory, advanced design and years of establishing itself as a boutique lingerie brand at trade shows is paying off. The brand continues to book new accounts, which include Anthropologie and Fred Segal Silk.
“I love when people say, ’I’ve heard of your brand’ because before it was like, ’Who?’” Vivi said. “We will never be Hanky Panky or Cosabella. But I love that the owner of Fred Segal Silk just bought it and said, ’I heard about your brand. I want to carry your brand.’”
The sisters like to think that their late grandparents—who served as their inspiration to start a business together—are still looking out for them. The idea to enter the intimate-apparel market came from their Jewish grandfather, who escaped from Nazi Germany to Paris. His first job was cutting lingerie in his mother’s kitchen.
“It’s kind of like they are guiding us because I’ve seen so many companies like us fall and call it quits, and, for some reason, we are still standing. Everybody is cutting back [on orders], but at least we are still producing,” Vivi said.
For more information, call (310) 203-0399 or email info@lavitlingerie.com.—Rhea Cortado
