MEET: BEHIND THE SEAMS:

Apparel designer: ‘All I need is my sketchbook and a pen’

Ermelinda Manos, owner of Behind the Seams, a uniform and apparel design company, poses in a production room at the company Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018.

Describe your business.

Behind the Seams is a one-stop shop for uniform/apparel design and production. We offer uniforms for the service industry from our selection of ready-made styles, as well as exclusive design services to create custom pieces for your business. From design to production, every stitch is made in-house and we are proud to be 100 percent made in Las Vegas. Our services extend to alterations for the theater and entertainment industry.

Who are your clients/customers?

I’ve designed and developed uniforms for MB Steakhouse and Kumi, and provided alteration services for Nike, Adidas, Champs Sports, Rolltech, the Killers, Alejandra Espinoza, Diana Ross, the Latin Grammys, the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Cosmopolitan, the Linq and Toyota Findlay, to name a few.

Behind the Seams

• Address: 3610 S. Highland Drive, Suite 101, Las Vegas

• Phone: 702-985-3814

• Email: [email protected]

• Website: behindtheseamslv.com

• Hours of operation: By appointment

• Owned/operated by: Ermelinda Manos

• In business since: 2017

How many people do you employ and what special talents do they bring to your team?

We’re a small team of seamstresses, pattern makers and graders with background in couture and production. What makes us unique is our talent and passion for our craft. We have been working as a team for more than 10 years, while understanding and excelling in all aspects of the creative and production process.

Where do you get inspiration for your creative designs?

My inspiration depends on the project, but most of the time, all I need is my sketchbook and a pen, and all of my ideas come out. Sometimes the clients inspire me with their vision, other times a piece of fabric inspires my design style, but most of the time, it’s current events.

What is your business philosophy?

I’m pretty old-fashioned; my upbringing and the values my family has instilled in me have shaped my work ethic. I want to provide consistent good work and always deliver better than the last.

Meet: Ermelinda Manos

Ermelinda Manos, owner of Behind the Seams, a uniform and apparel design company, poses in a production room at the company Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018. Launch slideshow »

What is the best part about doing business in Las Vegas?

We’re a small community and all support each other. This town embraces growth and achievement. It’s small enough to know one another but also big enough with enough work for similar businesses to thrive and work alongside each other.

What obstacles has your business overcome?

Expanding the business from women’s eveningwear design to uniform production and alterations has presented the challenges of needing to wear different hats and breaking the idea of being “just a fashion designer.”

Anything else you want to share?

I grew up in this city since I was 12. I came here with the dream to one day run my own business in the fashion industry, and about 19 years later, as a legal immigrant, I have been able to start and expand my business while employing and creating job opportunities for American citizens. I owe it all to Las Vegas for always supporting my dreams and business ventures, and supporting a young immigrant.

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