Nation LTD was founded in 2005 by Jen Menchaca, with the goal of creating the perfect white tee. Distinguished by its premium ultra-soft fabrics, vintage details and elegant style, Nation LTD emerged as a premiere women's contemporary collection, setting a new standard for "basics." Manufactured entirely in the U.S.A., the Nation LTD line is classically comfortable and fashion forward. Nation LTD styles are popular with trend-setting celebrities and chic women of all ages. Simply stated, effortlessly sexy.
Designer Jen Menchaca:
I didn't grow up telling everyone I wanted to be a fashion designer. In fact, I was encouraged to be an engineer. My dad worked at NASA and tried to lure me into the same business, starting with the cashier position at the official NASA gift shop during the summers. I refused for many reasons; most importantly, I'd have to wear a space suit. I didn't have a huge interest in couture, just didn't want to look like a fool.
I went to U.T. and got a B.S. in advertising, then shipped myself out to New York City (expensive, gleaming portfolio in hand) and became a professional cocktail waitress, eventually working my way up to weekend bartender. After five years I moved to Los Angeles to work in Hollywood and got my first job with David E. Kelley Productions on the hit TV series, Ally McBeal.
Meanwhile, I had always coveted my Dad’s old white v-necks. The problem is if I had worn them in public, people would have offered me spare change to go buy a fresh one. They weren’t pretty, but they were comfy, darn it. So I decided to recreate one without the unsightly paint stains and yellow-ish tint. I came up with the perfect vintage white v-neck t-shirt for women. And people wore it.
I held two jobs as long as I could and eventually Nation LTD became so big that I had to leave "the biz," an industry in which I had spent nine wonderful years.
I never did wear the space suit like Dad wanted... But I’m still reaching for the stars.
– Jen
