Getting in the Weeds (and Loving It)

A Day in the Life of Naomi Sasaki-Whalen, Senior Product Development Manager at Threads

At Threads, every custom uniform starts with a deep dive into the details—and that’s where Naomi Sasaki-Whalen, our Senior Product Development Manager, shines. From sourcing materials to ensuring every stitch meets our standards, her day-to-day is all about precision, creativity, and problem-solving.

“First thing in the morning, I’m reviewing emails from our vendor partners overseas—some with a 12-hour time difference. After that, no two days are the same.”

Naomi’s work includes reviewing fabric and decoration submissions, pre-production samples, and third-party compliance testing. She also creates tech packs, sources new partners, troubleshoots production issues, and keeps timelines organized to make sure every product moves smoothly from idea to reality.

“When a box of samples shows up and they look amazing—that’s the best part.”

Innovation Meets Impact
One of the most exciting materials Naomi has worked with? CiCLO® technology—a sustainable fiber additive that helps synthetics biodegrade in landfill environments.

“It’s a game changer for reducing microplastics and making uniform programs more eco-friendly.”

What Really Matters in Uniforms
What uniform features make the biggest difference?

“Comfort, fit, and durability. We’ve developed customer-specific fit blocks and test our garments in third-party labs to ensure they hold up.”

It’s all about balancing function, fashion, and brand identity—while exceeding expectations.

Dream Projects and Surprising Facts
Naomi’s dream project? Designing high-tech uniforms for astronauts—or sleek, tailored pieces for airline crews that combine professionalism with all-day comfort.

And her favorite fun fact? One of Threads’ staple fabrics, piqué, has been around since the 18th century!

“People are always surprised by how ‘in the weeds’ this job is—it’s much more than picking fabrics. It’s global sourcing, testing, timelines, and constant collaboration.”

That’s what makes Naomi—and Threads—stand out: thoughtful, purpose-driven design powered by people who care about every detail!