Bristol's Maryanne Ziegler was helping out at Details & Design, her friend Margaret Silvia's South Dartmouth shop, when the two got to talking about how much they wished they had a "uniform." A stylish, refined uniform. They wanted to find a dress versatile enough to be worn as well by 80 year olds as 12 year olds, and take you from daytime through dinner. And pockets—it had to have pockets.

It soon became clear they would need to create it themselves.

"She loves clothes; I love clothes," says Ziegler. "It was just a matter of making it happen."

For the past year or so, that's exactly what they have been doing. Coming up with the idea was one thing, developing a pattern and perfecting the fit were another. It was a process that took from October of last year until April.

They named their fledgling company Ruby Cotton, and their first dress, a sleeveless linen number with box pleats and a contrasting zipper "The Undress." Simple enough for a day at the beach, a quick shoe change and some accessories will get you to dinner.

A second design, "The Girlfriend" is in the final stages of production and will likely be out by press time. It features a slightly flared skirt and contrasting trim. Like "The Undress," it is sleeveless.

"We have no taste for sleeves," Ziegler says.

Initially, Ziegler and Silvia were attempting to work with a single seamstress, which made it difficult to keep up with demand at Details and Design, where the dress retails for $185. Enter Maria Costa of Fall River Distribution. With a production facility and several seamstresses, Costa's company can keep up with current demand—and it is well-positioned to address increased demand in the future.

Most importantly, Ruby Cotton dresses are all made locally.

"No question, we were determined to manufacture locally," says Ziegler. "We are lucky enough to have that opportunity close by in Fall River, with so many skilled people available. There's so much potential here. Our philosophy has always been that we are going to do this the right way, or not at all."

Quality is of course the main reason Ziegler and Silvia went with Costa's company, but oversight is another. "If we were manufacturing in New York, or China, or anywhere else, I couldn't pop in 3 times a week and bother Maria." Tastemaker Ziegler's only sticking point—a minor one—is the company's name. "Fall River Distribution? It sounds like you're sending them out in trucks."

Costa, her eye on the bottom line, smiles. "Yes, that's exactly what we want to do."

Ruby Cotton dresses are available at Details & Design, 332 Elm St, South Dartmouth, and at Kate & Company, 301 Hope St., Bristol. To learn more, visit Rubycottonusa.com.