Blogs

Cheers to Quacker Factory!  Co-founded by the late Jeanne Bice and her son Tim—for bringing playful pieces and shimmering spirit over the last 20 years. Tim and Angel Smedley, on-air guest for Quacker Factory, took me on a look back (and forward, too!) in honor of this milestone.

“It’s hard to believe 20 years have come and gone already, but we’re loving everything we’re doing,” said Tim. “We’re very lucky to have always had a super group of customers.” Sequins, rhinestones, embroidery—all loves of Jeanne and at the heart of Quacker Factory designs then and now. These fun details harken back to the brand’s beginnings in the early 1990s when the clothing was hand-sewn for boutiques and mid-sized chains. All that changed when Jeanne happened upon QVC, tasking Tim to investigate. One look and he knew it was exactly where they needed to be.

{“Thanks for quackin’ with us at QVC for 20 years, and let’s keep quackin’ for another 20!” -Tim}

The brand took off after being selected as part of QVC’s 50 in 50 Tour—a year-long search to discover one thousand of the best new products from American entrepreneurs. Quacker Factory’s first item—an embellished white button-down shirt— aired on February 4, 1995. The rest is history!

“We've always wanted to provide a happy experience and inspire the women wearing our fashions. Selling clothes is fun, but making people feel happy is what we've always been about,” Tim told me.

To this day, Quacker maintains those core values and carries on Jeanne’s legacy. She wanted women to look good and feel good, being known to say, “Everyone’s got a pretty face. Put some bling around it and you’re going to look great.” Her Jeanne-isms (as they’re affectionately known—see right for more) were all maxims she truly believed.

Jeanne made an impact beyond clothing, including giving helpful advice, thanking everyone in front of and behind the camera, and more. She also played a role in bringing Quackers together. “I’m always amazed at the sisterhood that Jeanne began,” Angel shared. “It just sort of blossomed into Quacker cruises and women coming to live shows and planning get togethers.

It became more about a sisterhood—the clothes were the wrapping on the package. “I call Jeanne my fairy godmother. After modeling for Quacker Factory and doing Jeanne’s makeup, I was offered a job with the design team when I needed it the most. She was so generous and made her life an experience, which in part inspired me to do the same.”

Angel also expressed how thankful she is for being embraced by all of you after Jeanne’s passing. “I’m honored to continue her legacy and bring great fashion to women and help them realize that they can be any size and look beautiful. QVC is a wonderful place to do that.”

Over the years new technology and manufacturing has evolved, and sewing each detail by hand is a thing of the past. Quacker Factory now has the ability to make bigger creative ideas a reality. “I always joke that I can barely draw a straight line with a ruler!” Angel laughed. “The team Jeanne put into place continues to develop our brand to make it better.”

“Even though we’ve grown, we still try to keep that same creativity, sense of happiness, and belief in yourself,” Tim added. “We try to give a great mix of our standard motifs and more contemporary ones.”

Take DreamJeannes for example, a comfortable knit French terry dyed to look like denim. Jeanne was thrilled to have found this fabric in 2010 because she hadn't worn jeans since the 1980s. Since the first boot-cut pair debuted, the Quacker Factory team has heard from so many of you about wearing jeans again, too, and that keeps them energized to do more.

If you’re clamoring for fresh and colorful Quacker for spring, you’re in luck! According to Angel, “The clothes are so beautiful they’ll blow your mind!” Think new matching sets, crops, capris, and the return of the skort in a bigger and better way. And, of course, you can count on tunics, 3⁄4-sleeve shirts, and tees adorned with signature shine.

As Quacker Factory gears up for spring and seasons to come, there’s no stopping this hard-working, yet fun-loving group. Just as appreciative as Jeanne, Tim expressed his gratitude to all of the Quackers out there. “Thanks for quackin’ with us at QVC for 20 years, and let’s keep quackin’ for another 20!”