Share how you balance fashion as art with fashion as something people live in every day.
Balancing fashion as art and fashion that people wear everyday can be fun. At my store these two support each other. I feel like at some point my customers might have a need for both, so when I design my fashion art pieces, I make sure that fit comes first. It’s very important that a garment fits well first and foremost and then you can embellish it with artistic elements afterwards. My goal is to sell every garment that I design, so each piece is a work in progress until I find a loving home for it.
What have been the toughest challenges in building SWABY as a brand in both Chicago and New York?
My toughest challenge in building SWABY as a fashion brand is finding an investor.
As a former Project Runway finalist, how did that experience shape you as a designer and entrepreneur?
As a former Project Runway finalist, I learned that in business you cannot be too narrow minded. You have to always be aware of the bigger picture and the various views surrounding your goals and vision for what you are building. Being on that show taught me the value of networking.