Spanx, Inc.

• Where are SPANX company headquarters?
  • Atlanta, Ga.
• Who founded SPANX?
  • Sara Blakely
• How many men work at SPANX?
  • 12
• How many products does SPANX have?
  • Over 200
• Where is SPANX sold?
  • US, Canada, UK, Australia, Singapore, Philippines, Germany, Korea
  • For retailers in your area- http://www.spanx.com/corp/index.jsp?page=storeLocator&clickid=topnav_locator_txt
  • For international online retailers-
  • http://www.spanx.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=3801042
• Where is ASSETS sold?
  • US and Canada
  • For retailers in your area-
  • http://www.loveassets.com/pls/enetrixp/!stmenu_template.main?complex_id_in=3540153.3545195..3590095.cat
• Where is Haute Contour sold?
  • US and UK
  • For retailers in your area-
  • http://www.spanx.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=3481210&page=retailers
• Where were SPANX first sold?
  • After Sara gave her own personal before-and-after demonstration, Neiman Marcus agreed to test SPANX in several stores and placed the first major order of SPANX in 2000. In that same year, SPANX expanded distribution to Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s and other major high-end department stores.
• How far in advance do you work on your collections, and what is the process?
  • We work months, even years, in advance. For example, the SPANX Bra-llelujah! Underwire Contour took more than three years and 100 prototypes to perfect. Our best ideas come from thinking of ways we can solve problems for women, and of course our fabulous product development team. Our company tests every product for comfort and function, which takes time. We want to be sure it’s perfect by the time it gets to the consumer.
• What is ASSETS and how is it different from SPANX?
  • ASSETS and SPANX are two distinct brands that offer different products at different price points. ASSETS were designed to give women more shapewear options at an affordable price. Inspired by SPANX, ASSETS have patented designs and smart features that you comfortable slimming support.
• Have many of your products come from customer suggestions?
  • Absolutely. For example, we heard that women wanted a shaper with a shorter hemline, so we created the ASSETS Girl Short and ASSETS High Waist Girl Short. One of the best parts of developing products at SPANX is the women who inspire us to keep making things better. 
• What is the Sara Blakely Foundation?
  • The Sara Blakely foundation focuses on finding the future female entrepreneurs and leaders of the world, at home and abroad, and giving them the “leg-up” they need to succeed.
• Who is the CEO of Spanx, Inc.?
  • Laurie Ann Goldman

Sara

• Why did you create SPANX?
  • In 1998, Sara Blakely, the creator of SPANX, was getting dressed for a party and couldn’t find the right undergarment, so she cut the feet out of her pantyhose to wear with white pants and open-toed shoes. At that moment she knew it was something women everywhere needed. Body shapers, at the time, were thick and uncomfortable, Sara she wanted to create the most comfortable, best-quality products possible for women. Not traditional underwear that do nothing for the figure and definitely not heavy duty girdles our grandmothers wore, Sara invented SPANX as the perfect in-between solution.
• What were your start-up costs?
  • I started everything with $5,000.
• How did you come up with the name SPANX?
  • “I knew Kodak and Coca-Cola are among the most recognized products in the world. And it’s a weird trade secret among comedians that the ‘k’ sound will make people laugh. The minute I came to that clarity, the word “spanks” came to mind. I knew from research that made-up words do better for products than real words and are easier to trademark, so I changed the name to “Spanx” and trademarked it online.”
• Where did you grow up? 
  • Clearwater, FL
• What leads consumers to respond so well to SPANX products over other similar products?
  • SPANX are comfortable! One pair of SPANX take more than 8 hours to make, so there’s a lot of love going into them. Women love their SPANX because they help you look and feel better in clothes. If something can make a woman look and feel better about herself, she walks a little taller and gets more compliments that day – it has a strong impact.
• What type of woman does SPANX design for?
  • Every woman – We make something that is sure to suit every body type, age and style. And, now with the launch of SPANX for Men, we really have something for everyone!
• What are some of your interests and hobbies outside of fashion design?
  • Surfing with brother in CA. Love to be outdoors.  Collect wigs.  Very interested in motivational, self-help books.  I love Wayne Dyer.  I also really value relaxing, either with a bath or yoga.  It’s crucial to set aside time for yourself. 

Products

• Is it OK to wear your product during a pregnancy?
  • Yes! We created Mama Spanx for all soon-to-be moms. The collection has pantyhose for when you don’t want to bear your legs, a mid-thigh shaper for maternity dress and skirts, and footless pantyhose to hide imperfections in pants. (Add in details about ASSETS Marvelous Mama.)
• Are SPANX appropriate for all occasions?
  • SPANX is made with comfort in mind, so it can be part of your everyday wardrobe. The Haute Contour camisoles are perfect to wear to the office under sweaters or blazers. The SPANX Slim Cognito Mid-Thigh Bodysuit is a red carpet favorite because it leaves a perfectly smooth silhouette under form fitting gowns for any evening affair. The ASSETS Fantastic Firmer Camisoles are great for workout wear because they’re made with a moisture-wicking microfiber that keeps you cool and dry. Many said the SPANX Bra-llelujah! is comfortable enough to sleep in!
• How many pieces of SPANX should women own as a basic “shapewear wardrobe?”
  • Women who like to wear the latest fashions need shapewear to match. Choosing shapewear best for you depends on your figure and the fashions you wear. The most basic shapewear wardrobe should include: a mid-thigh shaper to eliminate VPL and firm up the lower half under skirts and dresses; footless pantyhose or a Capri-length shaper to wear under pants; a high-waisted style to cinch the waist and slim the midriff under form-fitting dresses; a pair of control panties for A-line and full skirts; a smoothing camisole to eliminate bra lines and bulges in clingy tops; and a full-coverage, high-compression bodysuit.

• What should women consider when purchasing shapewear?
  • Figure: Everyone has figure flaws and best assets. Choose garments that correct your figure flaws and accentuate your assets (ex. A high-waisted shaper will tame upper tummy rolls and highlight the bust).
  • Fit: Use the size charts and stay true to your size. Sometimes women seeking extra control or added comfort will size up or down and end up sacrificing function and comfort.  Rolling is a sign of poor fit.  If your garment is rolling up or down, you’ve likely gone with the wrong size.  Also, pay close attention to directions on how to put on a shaper. Especially for mid-thigh shapers, you should place the shaper where you want it to stay on the thigh, and if you put it on correctly, it should stay in put. And like putting on a bra, lifting and placing yourself into a shaper can help keep you lifted where you need to be. 
  • Fabric: Certain fabrics like silk or clingy jerseys require garments without seams for an invisible look under clothes.  Be sure to consider the fabric of your clothes