How Custom Clothing at Scale is Working with Daniela Rodriguez & Andre Ramirez-Cedeno of Neems Jeans
How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fitsShow Notes
The custom fit of bespoke clothing with the efficiency and scale of factory production: this is the sweet spot that so many fashion businesses are aiming for. However, finding this sweet spot can be as difficult as finding a pair of jeans that fits just right. Daniela Rodriguez and Andre Ramirez-Cedeno of Neems Jeans have found both. Traditional manufacturing is still evolving and the technology is still emerging. In episode 132, we look at what is working and what still needs work when it comes to custom clothing production.
Daniela Rodriguez-Firmani and Andre Ramirez-Cedeno are the co-founders of Neems Jeans, a fashion-tech company using AI body-scanning technology to create custom-fit jeans for every body. Both Miami natives and Northwestern graduates, Dani and Andre worked as management consultants before their personal frustrations changed everything: they could never find jeans that fit perfectly.
In 2020, they launched Neems together - armed with zero fashion experience but fierce determination to solve a problem millions face every time they shop for denim. Together, they've scaled Neems into a rapidly growing seven-figure brand serving thousands of customers internationally, challenging the myth of standard sizing while proving that innovation and sustainability can coexist. Their mission: make clothing that fits people, not the other way around.
This episode explores:
Fitting the customer
Why Neems isn’t constrained to fitting one customer niche
The biggest customer segments for Neems and what that says about the fit of off-the-rack options
How Daniela and Andre overcome skepticism from customers
Fitting the lifestyle
The point-of-no-return investment that Daniela and Andre made
How Neems production has evolved through different stages of the business’ life
How Daniela and Andre arrived at the price point for their custom jeans
Fitting the values
The vision and values that keeps them going even when things are hard
The different reasons why customers buy Neems
People and resources mentioned in this episode:
Neems Jeans website
Neems Jeans Instagram
Choozr body scanning/measuring technology
Tukatech pattern software and machinery
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