Today we’d like to introduce you to Anastasia Southwick.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have been sewing since I was about eight years old when I was in Girl Scouts and my mom worked three jobs, so she didn’t have time to sew my patches on my sash! I took two years of Fashion Design during high school at an outside vocational school then went on to attend Bauder College in Atlanta, GA and received my Associate of Arts Degree in Fashion Design in July 2004. I immediately took on odds and end sewing jobs while working “normal” 9-5 jobs and birthed ANA M Designs which is an acronym for Assume Nothing About Me. In June 2014, I officially launched my swimwear line ANA M Swim. In December 2016, I officially quit all my other jobs (I tend to work at least two) and solely focused on my designing. I opened my sewing studio which is also a co-working space in January 2018.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has definitely not been a smooth road! I am completely self-funded and as a result, I can only invest what extra I have after paying bills. The struggles I feel were similar to many others… wondering if you are good enough, if school was a waste of time (def not time but def money in my case). If anything would ever break, not feeling creative; just to name a few. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety after a bad car accident in 2012, so that threw a monkey wrench in things; however, I learned to cope with it without medication and now my “episodes” are far and few between with depression! I think that the biggest struggle for me usually is feeling uninspired to create. This is the first year in many that I have actually felt inspired to create.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about ANA M Designs – what should we know?
My company, ANA M Designs, is an all-encompassing fashion design company. I do product development, teaching, alterations, custom clothing, swimwear, dancewear, upholstery, you name it!! I specialize in swimwear and dance uniforms for different local and out of state teams. I would say the thing that makes me the proudest is to have established a couple of IMDB credits and still be pursuing new ways to expand this design business. I would say what sets me apart from others is that I do swimwear and my knowledge of stretch fabrics.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I have a couple of day one clients that have been around since before I expanded into swimwear. My mom is a big supporter of me by either having projects for me to complete for her & her business or just the encouraging words she may text or post on Facebook under photos that I post. My best friend does a lot of encouraging and supporting. My other best friend, Jess, fills just about any role I need whether it be makeup artist (her profession), model, or just an ear to listen when I need. I also would say my friend who works in my studio with me as well because she is a pusher; meaning she pushes me outside my comfort zone to get S*** done!
Pricing:
- Custom Swimwear start @ $80
- Coverups start @ $50
- Classes start @ $175
- Dresses start @ $125
Contact Info:
- Website: www.anamdesigns.biz
- Email: anamclothingpr@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anamdesigns
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/84anam
Image Credit:
Neon Swim suits are Jeff Henderson @shotsbyjeff on Instagram, Photos w/ car are Jay Young @jaymudah on Instagram, Geisha photo is Jo Arellanes @littlestargirl on Instagram, Bow dress is Ashley Reid
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
