In the intricate ecosystem of intimate apparel and fashion, the manufacturer’s role has transformed from a silent stitcher into a strategic collaborator. Hansae, a South Korean original design manufacturer, is threading this evolution through a new design office in Barcelona, Spain—a move that mirrors the industry’s shift toward localized creativity and faster turnarounds. Historically, lingerie and ready-to-wear manufacturing relied on centralized factories; Hansae’s expansion recalls how early 20th-century corset makers opened satellite ateliers to serve distinct markets, blending regional aesthetics with industrial efficiency.
Opened in 2021, the Barcelona office places Hansae—whose clients include Gap Inc. and Carhartt—closer to European sensibilities. While 95 percent of its business remains U.S.-based, the office serves as a strategic pivot amid tariff uncertainties, much like how 19th-century lace merchants established outposts in Brussels to navigate trade barriers. Led by branch manager Sharon Riumbau, a former Mango buyer, and head designer Yolanda Ortin, the all-Spanish team mines local trends from street style to pop culture, creating mood boards that honor each brand’s DNA.
This design-led approach shortens lead times and fosters collaboration. Hansae’s Barcelona team proposes designs within weeks, coordinating production in Vietnam under the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement—a modern echo of the Silk Road’s textile exchanges. As Riumbau notes, clients seek not just production but trend intelligence. Hansae’s expansion signals a new chapter: the manufacturer as a global partner, weaving together regional expertise and industrial scale, much like the great lingerie houses of the past that married Parisian design with Lyon’s silk looms.
Originally reported by WWD