Wrax
Wrax is an idea that solves the problem many large-chested women face with movement and exercise: poor posture and bouncing boobs. Wrax is an innovative product that helps women move, run, and jump with ease by gently but firmly securing the chest area to prevent bouncing during activity and movement.
The Designer: Frankie Elder
Frankie Elder is an inventor whose idea provides breast support and bounce control, making it easier and more comfortable for women to be active. She started with a sketch that clearly conveyed her concept. She knew what she wanted to make and that there was a market for her idea. What she needed help with was turning her sketch into a tangible product. That’s when she started working with Heather.
The Problem & Opportunity
Many women with larger chests experience poor posture and breast bouncing as they run and are active. Sports bras make little difference in support or bounce reduction, which is what sparked Frankie’s idea for Wrax. She wanted to create a product that offered comfortable support while actually reducing boob bounce during movement.
The Goal: Frankie needed help improving the sewability of her product to reduce production costs.
The Obstacles
The biggest obstacle to getting Wrax launched was not in the product development phase but in finding a manufacturer. Because Wrax is an innovative product that doesn’t fit the typical definition of a garment but instead fits more into the brace category, it was a bit of a challenge for her to find a manufacturer who was willing to make her novel product.
Fortunately, Frankie eventually found a helpful and collaborative manufacturer in her local area. Right from the start, Heather was able to answer the manufacturer’s initial questions regarding the product design, pattern, and tech pack, which helped jump-start Frankie's relationship with the manufacturer.
Timeline
The Wrax project timeline was unique due to the novelty of the design and other priorities in the designer’s life. While the overall process took a few years to go from concept to the official launch, Frankie never tried to cut corners or rush the process, which has set her up for long-term success.
Heather’s 5-step system allows entrepreneurs the breathing room required to pursue their dreams at their own pace. Thanks to Heather’s guidance and proven system, Frankie was able to complete each phase while taking breaks in between without losing her momentum or missing any essential details.
The Proven Process
Step 1 - Concepting & Illustration Stage
Frankie had already created a concept sketch of her vision. It was clear and showed exactly what she wanted to create, which made it easier for her to start working with Heather.
Step 2 - Create Renders
Heather took Frankie’s design and created a 3D render to show how it would look and function in a virtual form. The render stage highlights areas in the concept that need to be redeveloped to achieve the desired look.
Step 3 - Pattern Making and Sewn Samples
The next stage involves creating a professional pattern and sewn samples of the product to test in the real world on real bodies. Frankie’s insight was to design her product to pull the breasts down (rather than lift up) to reduce the bouncing while women moved and played sports. Her pattern for Wrax utilized all-over straps that fit over a sports bra or other garment, making Wrax both highly effective and comfortable.
Step 4 - Create a Complete Tech Pack
Next, Heather put together a professional tech pack so Frankie could approach manufacturers. Once Frankie found her local, collaborative manufacturer, she invested in a small batch run of Wrax and started testing her product on her audience. She took the time to gather feedback and ideas, which led to valuable insights and the recent release of version 2.0 - Wrax FLEX, which improved the design even further while maintaining comfort.
Outcomes
Frankie took the time to complete in-depth market research while testing her product on real bodies. She was determined to find the best version possible before launching Wrax to a wider audience. Frankie participated in a ton of trade shows and pop-up shops. She even traveled to set up booths at sporting events, such as marathons, triathlons, and 10ks.
While her initial sample of Wrax turned out to be too complex, her market testing gave her the necessary feedback to improve her product and simplify the design, making it better for customers.
Conclusion
Thanks to the flexibility of Heather’s proven process of taking ideas to manufacture, Frankie was able to work on her vision at her own pace. By the end of her collaboration with Heather, she was well-equipped with a professional pattern and detailed tech pack that made it possible for her to find the right manufacturer.
“Whether you're on the track, in the gym, or conquering your fitness journey from the comfort of home, Wrax is your ultimate companion, ensuring unparalleled support and confidence with every move.” —Wrax
Do you have an idea to improve a product? Have reference images ready to go? Book a consultation with Heather to discuss pattern-making. Not sure where you are in the process? Check out our “How It Works” page for answers.