Fashion was always captivating to me from my young modeling career to studying fashion in college, to working for Macy’s Merchandising Group, to working with artisans in third world countries to develop successful jewelry collections, and I am ready to open my own retail + design co-op.
Working for Macy’s helped me to build my foundation in the business of fashion. Tech sheets, sample runs, negotiating costing, writing the open to buy for market week. But when it came down to it, something became very clear to me. That whole negotiating costs part, it’s dirty. We were trained to push for lower costs so we could maintain our retail, but obtain a greater markup. Due to this whole cost negotiation, the factories cannot pay their workers, let alone for the upkeep of these old, chemical ridden factories, which as we all know, leads to factory collapse and unfortunately, a high death toll.
Since leaving, I have worked with artisan run brands, such as Songa Designs, Faire Collection and The Base Project to be a part of a supply chain where it is clear and transparent where the fashion pieces are coming from. I am honored to see that the artisans working on these fashion pieces are receiving fair wages and are being lifted out of poverty and into the global economy.
Today, my goal is to open a store where this kind of fashion, ethical and sustainable fashion can be easily accessed. I am also looking for local artisans in Connecticut and nearby to come be part of my store and create a community of conscious consumerism. For customers to know where their fashion pieces are made, and to even be part of how they are made. I would like my version of fashion to be other people’s passion.