The Haight Street lingerie store is expanding.
Dollhouse Bettie started in 2004, when owner Michelle Metens began selling her vintage-inspired lingerie collection online. In 2007, she was able to afford the 2400SF brick and mortar location at 1641 Haight, and Dollhouse Bettie has been there ever since. When they opened the boutique, they were selling their own brand, alongside other brands they loved, and rare vintage pieces. Since then, they've been growing steadily, often featured in must-see lists both for San Francisco tourism, and lingerie aficionados. For years, Michelle tried to get US-based factories to sew her line, but ran into difficulties since she was new on the scene and wanted only small quantities of repeat runs. Eventually, she tried to find a manufacturer overseas, but discovered it would be more cost-effective to do it here, on her own. So that's what she's doing.
This year, they're opening up a manufacturing facility in SOMA, launching a wholesale division, and showing their collection in New York for potential retailers (no plans as yet for more retail spaces).
Michelle says:
Dollhouse Bettie started in 2004, when owner Michelle Metens began selling her vintage-inspired lingerie collection online. In 2007, she was able to afford the 2400SF brick and mortar location at 1641 Haight, and Dollhouse Bettie has been there ever since. When they opened the boutique, they were selling their own brand, alongside other brands they loved, and rare vintage pieces. Since then, they've been growing steadily, often featured in must-see lists both for San Francisco tourism, and lingerie aficionados. For years, Michelle tried to get US-based factories to sew her line, but ran into difficulties since she was new on the scene and wanted only small quantities of repeat runs. Eventually, she tried to find a manufacturer overseas, but discovered it would be more cost-effective to do it here, on her own. So that's what she's doing.
"This process has been one of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of being a small business owner, to arrive at the conclusion that we just had to do it on our own. Being able to implement ethical vertical production methods, and oversee the development of a design from concept to finished garment is truly exciting and unique. It allows the entire creative team an intimate level of involvement with all aspects of our production process.”So there you have it. A Haight Street success story. Congrats to Michelle and everyone at Dollhouse Bettie! Cheers!
