Holding Onto Beauty in Changing Times

I’ve gone back and forth about sharing this, but it feels important to speak openly, not just for myself, but for the many small brands like ours who are quietly struggling with rising costs and global changes.

Our garments are ethically made in India and initially the tariffs were 25% (August 1st) but changed to 50% less than a month later. Ever optimistic, I absorbed all of the costs thinking this couldn't possibly last that long and surely an agreement would be reached before long. That has not happened, and as a new, small, and 100% self-funded business, I am facing the reality that until things improve, I may have to put a pause on designing and production for future seasons.  

Before, tariffs were not required on production & development samples, now they are. Shipping prices have also gone up an exorbitant amount. Not only that, shipping companies are now charging additional fees to process and collect duties. These insane added fees are adding up, and quickly! Labor and manufacturing costs have increased in India (which began earlier this year, before the new tariffs were put in place). In addition to that, due to the state of the economy, we have decreased our production orders with our manufacturers. Like most things, when you make more, it costs less. When you make less, it costs more.

When I began Atèlette, I built it on a simple belief: that beauty and ethics could coexist, that timeless, thoughtfully made garments should be accessible without compromise. A few times I was asked by retailers I reached out to about carrying Atèlette, "How are your pieces ethically made if they're so affordable?"

We’ve always kept our margins small, doing nearly everything in-house, sourcing deadstock fabrics directly in India, and focusing our funds on craftsmanship over marketing (no fancy shoots, expensive branded packaging). But some of the rising costs we’re now facing are simply beyond our control and were never factored in to our original pricing model.

All this to say, rather than raising prices, we’re bringing back our Pre-Order Model—a way for us to keep creating while staying true to what we believe in. I still hold fast to the idea that beautifully made garments crafted from sustainable fibers can and should remain within reach. Each pre-order directly supports our ability to design intentionally, produce responsibly, and stay aligned with our values.

Pre-Orders for new releases will be offered starting Sunday 10/26 on our website.