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Monosuit is a brand that specializes in creating innovative, unisex jumpsuits that appeared on Season 15, Episode 04 of Shark Tank.
These garments are designed with a streamlined fashion philosophy, intended to offer a simple yet versatile, one-piece outfit that can be worn in various ways, including with the zipper in front, back, or even upside down.
The company emphasizes practicality in its designs, featuring patented secret zippers in the lower back to make using the restroom more convenient without the need to undress fully.
Monosuit is known for its commitment to environmental sustainability. The brand was conceived to reduce the environmental impact of clothing.
For instance, its Eco Monoskin jumpsuit includes 40% of the material made from waste collected from the ocean. Additionally, the company employs digital patterns and 3D modeling to reduce paper waste and avoid overstocking to minimize fashion waste.
Monosuit ensures its collections are accessible from animal products and focuses on creating durable, seasonless, and timeless pieces that defy fleeting fashion trends.
Monosuit’s approach to fashion is practical, eco-friendly, stylish, and in tune with contemporary aesthetics. It has become a regular feature at New York Fashion Week since 2018, gaining visibility and attracting celebrity attention.
The brand’s fashion sensibility, sustainable credentials, and practical features make it a good choice for consumers looking for an all-in-one fashionable and functional garment.
Company Name | Monosuit |
Entrepreneur | Maria Agapkina, aka Mia Murr |
Product | An unzippable jumpsuit for women |
Investment Asking For | $150,000 for 5% equity in Monosuit |
Final Deal | No Deal |
Shark | No Shark |
Monosuit Episode | Season 15, Episode 04 |
Monosuit Business Status | In Business |
Monosuit Website | Visit Website |
Monosuit Net Worth | $1.5 Million |
What Is Monosuit?
Monosuit is a fashion brand that offers a line of high-tech, comfortable jumpsuits and related clothing items. These products are designed with an iconic style and are manufactured in Italy.
Monosuit clothing features seamless and eco-friendly garments, emphasizing sustainability, functionality, and versatility.
Monosuits have gained popularity and have been featured by various celebrities, which serves as a testament to their trendiness and appeal in the fashion industry.
The clothing items are suitable for various activities such as hiking, travel, skiing, cycling, yoga, or parties, catering to a diverse clientele looking for comfort and style.
Additionally, the brand runs sales on various products. It encourages customers to join their community, offering discounts and promotions such as free shipping in the US for those who sign up.
They also highlight their commitment to sustainability and invite customers to learn more about their production process and sustainable practices.
Who Is The Founder Of Monosuit?
Maria Agapkina is the founder and lead designer of Monosuit. Before starting her company, Maria worked for 15 years at the law firm Ernst & Young. Her transition from a career in law to fashion entrepreneurship marks a significant shift in her professional journey.
Maria Agapkina, with a background in law, gained substantial experience while working at Ernst & Young, a reputable professional services firm. This experience gave her business acumen and a strong understanding of corporate culture and practices.
Maria conceived and created a monosuit inspired by space science and interplanetary travel.
She envisioned a line of clothing that not only embodied the spirit of innovation and adventure found in space exploration but embraced sustainability and style.
Her vision led to the creation of a fashion brand offering jumpsuits with a futuristic design, including unique features like patented restroom-friendly zippers.
Before its appearance on Shark Tank, Monosuit had already established itself as an independent sustainable fashion brand based in New York.
The brand was known for its stylish jumpsuits made using recycled yarn, following circular design principles, and offering a seamless look to the wearer.
Monosuit had garnished attention in New York’s fashion scene, with celebrities such as Madonna, Paris Hilton, and members of the Kardashian family wearing its products. This celebrity endorsement helped boost the brand’s visibility and desirability.
In terms of sales and growth, Monosuit was generating revenue without paid advertising, and by 2022, the company made sales of $245,000.
A significant 70% of these sales came from their jumpsuit line. Before Shark Tank, Monosuit had raised $2 million from angel investors, valued at $12 million.
The company’s commitment to sustainable fashion was not just limited to the materials used but also incorporated in its manufacturing processes and design philosophy.
Monosuit’s product offering extended beyond jumpsuits to include dresses, tops, bottoms, and accessories, with new designs launched annually.
Despite this success and recognition, Monosuit sought additional investment to expand further, which led to Maria Agapkina presenting her business on Shark Tank Season 15 Episode 4.
How Was The Shark Tank Pitch Of Monosuit?
The Shark Tank pitch for Monosuit by founder Mia Murr was an energetic presentation, complete with a song and dance and models showcasing the jumpsuits.
Mia Murr was seeking an investment of $150,000 in exchange for 5% equity in her company, valuing Monosuit at $3 million.
Monosuit is a line of women’s jumpsuits with a unique design, allowing them to unzip at the waist, offering practicality and ease for bathroom use without needing to undress fully.
The product is eco-friendly and made from recycled ocean waste, including fishing nets, a significant pollutant. The production takes place in Northern Italy using a technology developed by Mia.
Lori Greiner appreciated the concept of the jumpsuit. Mia’s story of growing up in the USSR and transforming old clothes into new ones due to financial constraints added a personal touch to the pitch.
The average retail price of a Monosuit jumpsuit was stated to be $290, with a cost of $60 to make.
Despite the impressive presentation and product, Mia Murr walked away without securing an investment from any Sharks. Each Shark had their reasons for declining:
- Kevin O’Leary was concerned that the business seemed scattered and advised Mia to concentrate solely on the jumpsuit. He did not make an offer.
- Mark Cuban liked the product but felt Mia was trying to do too much with her company. He did not make an offer.
- Robert Herjavec, like the others, felt there was too much going on with the business and opted out without making an offer.
- Barbara Corcoran wished Mia had just focused on the jumpsuit rather than diversifying so much. She did not make an offer.
- While liking the products and acknowledging Mia’s design skills, Lori Greiner didn’t believe an investment from her would be what Mia needed. She did not make an offer either.
In conclusion, despite a favorable impression of the product and presentation, no Shark made an offer, and Mia Murr left without a deal for Monosuit.
However, Monosuit is still in business after appearing on Shark Tank and has seen a boost in sales, partly due to celebrity endorsements from figures like Kylie Jenner, Paris Hilton, and Madonna.
Did Monosuit Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
No, Monosuit did not get a deal on Shark Tank. During her appearance on Shark Tank, Maria Agapkina did not secure an investment from any of the Sharks. Each Shark declined to invest for various reasons.
Mark Cuban felt it was challenging to integrate the three aspects of the business – eco-friendliness, technology, and fashion – into an affordable and cohesive strategy.
Kevin O’Leary advised Maria to concentrate solely on the jumpsuits, indicating he believed the business lacked focus.
Robert Herjavec couldn’t determine the core identity of the business. Barbara Corcoran also found the company to be all over the place.
Lastly, Lori Greiner, although she liked the product, expressed that the amount of money Maria was seeking ($150,000) would not be sufficient for the needs of her business. As a result, Maria left without a deal.
What Happened To Monosuit After Shark Tank?
Monosuit, after appearing on Shark Tank, experienced significant growth and exposure.
The brand specializes in innovative and versatile jumpsuits with a patented system of secret lower-back zippers. It has expanded into several international markets, including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy.
They received a seed round of investment that facilitated the launch of an updated website, new collections, and further business expansion.
By 2019, the company started using an automatic seamless production technology and introduced its first Eco Monoskin, made from 40% regenerated yarn from recycled ocean garbage.
This sustainable approach could revolutionize the fashion industry with its infinitely renewable and almost zero-waste production cycle.
Celebrities like Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Maye Musk, Grimes, Uma Thurman, Tina Kunakey, and Cindy Bruna have been spotted wearing Monosuit pieces, which has undoubtedly helped in increasing the brand’s visibility and appeal.
In terms of media coverage, Monosuit has been featured in Forbes USA, Vogue Paris, and Vanity Fair Italia, among others, consolidating its status as a reputable global brand.
Monosuit is inclusive and offers a flexible grading chart for their items’ sizes, heights, measurements, proportions, and colors.
Their products and other online retailers like Not Just a Label, About You, and Wolf & Badger are on their official website.
The company maintains an active online presence, particularly on Instagram, where it continues to promote its innovative and stylish products to thousands of followers.
The exposure from Shark Tank, combined with their sustainable practices and celebrity endorsements, likely contributed to the company’s growth and success post-show.
Monosuit Shark Tank Update
Monosuit, despite not securing a deal on Shark Tank in season 15, continued to experience growth and gain media attention.
The show provided a platform that increased their visibility, leading to a surge in website traffic after the episode aired in October 2023.
With $245,000 in sales over the last 12 months, Monosuit sales projections suggest at least a 25% increase in sales following the exposure from Shark Tank.
Mia Murr, also known as Maria “Mia Murr” Agapkina, and her co-founder Elena Skazhenyuk have successfully expanded Monosuit internationally, reaching markets in the UK, France, Italy, and Germany.
They have also managed to get high-profile celebrities like Maye Musk, Grimes, and members of the Kardashian family to model their collections.
The brand’s valuation was $12 million, with $2 million raised from investors. It has been used to enhance its product line by introducing bright jumpsuits with secret zippers and adopting sustainable practices like seamless clothing.
Monosuit has also been featured in major magazines such as Glamour, Vanity Fair, Vogue, Forbes, and Marie Claire.
The brand maintains a strong following despite criticizing Mia’s pitch on Shark Tank as “cringy” by some viewers and lacking engagement on their social media accounts.
They have diversified their sales through direct-to-consumer online platforms and partner stores like Wolf & Badger in Los Angeles and Flying Solo in New York.
Their LinkedIn profile shows Monosuit has a small team with two other full-time employees. Maria Agapkina continues to focus on expanding Monosuit’s retail footprint while capitalizing on the profitability of the direct-to-consumer model.
The products include monosuits priced between $290 and $350, monoskins, dresses, and accessories, all available for global shipping.
Is Monosuit Still In Business?
Yes, Monosuit is still in business as of October 2023. The firm is performing well and is actively shipping its clothing line to most countries. The company’s headquarters is in New York, New York, United States, and employs 11-50 people.
Despite not securing a deal on Shark Tank, the exposure has increased awareness of the brand, which continues to operate and expand its reach globally.
What Is the Net Worth Of Monosuit?
According to our research, the net worth of Monosuit is estimated to be $1.5 million. The valuation of Monosuit, as presented by its founders, was $3 million when they appeared on Shark Tank.
Also, read about other businesses that appeared on Season 15, Episode 04 of Shark Tank: