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When New York fashion editors, reporters and other visitors are invited to J. McLaughlin headquarters, they’re surprised and delighted to discover just how much is happening in this corner of Brooklyn. Located just over the bridge from Manhattan, this is the neighborhood of choice for artisans, craftspeople, film companies, design studios, start-ups and young professionals who appreciate the large, light-filled warehouse-style spaces, easy access to the city, and a fascinating mix of indie restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques and other entrepreneurial businesses. Surrounded by energy, creativity and the belief that anything is possible, J. McLaughlin is perfectly at home.

J. McLaughlin occupies the top [two] floors of a classic, warehouse-style building. Filled with sunlight, bright colors, and the sound of laughter and sewing machines, company HQ is a happy, productive place. Echoing the look and feel of the J. McLaughlin stores, Kevin and Jay McLaughlin restored the interiors, painted the floors, and finished the space with a mix of mid-century furniture, antiques and oil paintings from their collection of treasures from auctions, estate sales and thrift shops.

Years ago, we created our own fabric by hand-stitching grosgrain ribbons together for dresses, skirts and accessories—a look we’ve become famous for. We continue to find inspiration everywhere, from old books and photos to antique maps and scarves. Guided by Kevin McLaughlin, our designers create colorful, one-of-a-kind patterns and designs that delight our customers and differentiate J. McLaughlin from other clothing companies.

Bright colors, unique patterns and luxurious fabrics are hallmarks of the J. McLaughlin brand. To this end, we’re constantly acquiring distinctive fabrics, colorful thread, unusual trimmings, hardware and other raw materials, which we keep on hand in our warehouse. This trove of treasures enables us to rapidly create new products whenever inspiration strikes, keep best-selling items in stock, and respond to marketplace trends and seasonal shifts in our business.

More modern-day atelier than traditional factory, we are passionate—even obsessed— about quality. As part of our vertically integrated manufacturing process, we inspect every bolt of fabric before it makes its way to inventory. Every inch of fabric is reviewed a second time as it’s laid out on the cutting table, and any piece that doesn’t make the grade is jettisoned. Once a garment is finished, it’s inspected again before being packaged and shipped to one of our 45 stores.

First-time visitors to J. McLaughlin headquarters are always stunned by the breadth and depth of our enterprise. They’re also impressed by the way we embrace both technology and old-school craftsmanship. At the same time that our designers are using the latest software to create exciting new patterns, our expert seamstresses are turning perfect hems, stitching flawless cuffs and sewing impeccable collars. We recognize that we could probably find faster and cheaper ways of producing our clothing, but then it wouldn’t be authentic J. McLaughlin.

Guided by Kevin McLaughlin and Jay McLaughlin, the product development and merchandising teams are in constant collaboration to ensure that every J. McLaughlin shop receives the right mix of clothing and accessories to fit their unique location and seasonality. They also host an ongoing series of meetings to introduce and explain the latest collections and merchandising strategies to J. McLaughlin store managers from up and down the East Coast, the South, and the Midwest.

Co-founder Jay McLaughlin has always had a passion for real estate. While a business school student at NYU, he renovated brownstones in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Today, he’s actively involved with site selection and store design. Working closely with architect Doug Larson and our in-house construction management team, Jay is always on the lookout for new opportunities that fit the J. McLaughlin brand standards for location, location and location–preferably in close proximity to sunshine and seawater!

Of all the colors at J. McLaughlin, UPS chocolate brown is one of the most important. While other clothing manufacturers rely on outsourced distribution systems, we retain complete control of our shipping processes. Virtually every day of the week, all year ‘round, our team sorts, packs and ships countless boxes of clothing and accessories to our 45 stores. Like a glamorous airline departure board, the J. McLaughlin store list includes many of America’s loveliest towns and resort destinations.

Once the clothes have been unpacked, pressed and displayed in the J. McLaughlin stores, the fun begins. For all of us at J. McLaughlin headquarters, few things are more exciting than a phone call from a manager in Palm Beach or Winnetka, saying that they can’t keep a Harbor dress, a cashmere sweater or the new leather Hobo bag in stock. From pattern design and development to merchandising, marketing, store design and shipping, we all take great pride in delighting our customers with distinctive clothing and accessories they can’t find anywhere else.