Rising Stars: Meet Brittany Riggins

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Riggins.

Hi Brittany, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always been fascinated by art and fashion design since I was in middle school. Although my school did not have a fashion design class, which is what I really wanted, I took every other Family and Consumer Science class I could just to be near it. Despite my interest in it, my parents did not approve of me going into fashion design as a career. So I chose another passion and went to college for Environmental Science instead. During my freshman year while studying abroad in Panama, it opened me up to a whole new love for art, culture and design, especially fashion. From the way they dressed at the school to experiencing the local cultures, it opened my mind to a world of possibilities. I started sketching clothing designs constantly, which was when I knew I couldn’t leave fashion design alone. I decided to get involved in fashion in other ways by being a blogger for a fashion club, making some pieces for a college student run fashion show (which made it onto the flyer!), and helping my sister style photoshoots and video shoots with music artists. After graduating with my Environmental Science degree, I went to school for fashion design to properly learn how to sew and design. Even after graduating for Fashion Design, I knew I wanted my own business, but I also knew I needed to enter the workforce first. Despite applying to many big name companies, I received no callbacks, which led me to enter retail. I learned how to somewhat run a business through working for a clothing store. Once I grew from a sales associate to running my own store, that is when I knew to take my leap of faith to start my own business. So I left retail in 2019 and started learning more about running my business, taking on custom client work, making masks throughout the pandemic, and continuing to grow through product offerings and unique opportunities!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Although people will call them obstacles, I call them learning experiences. I say this because the only obstacle that has been in my way was myself. Because I harbored doubt in my mind and heart, I hesitated to start my business and do what I loved. As a millennial, our “career track” was self-explanatory; go to college, get a good job, make big money. And because this was taught from an early age, I struggled with the business I wanted to build versus where I was (retail). Even after I left retail and started my business, I off and on applied for jobs because I felt guilty that I was not on that perfect “career track”, but it kept me distracted. It wasn’t until 2020 where I told myself, “I am going to make my business a success no matter what. I am not going to sell myself or my business short because of an old mindset. I have to fully own and accept that I am an entrepreneur and fashion designer and nothing is going to change that.” And after that, my business and opportunities have really grown!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a fashion designer and I own a brand and boutique called Modasus (moe-day-sus). I create and sell custom and ready to wear women’s clothing. I also do custom projects such as creating custom pieces or styling photo shoots, video shoots and performance outfits.

I would say there are two opportunities that I am most proud of. The first was creating costumes for the band of Earth, Wind, and Fire for the Hollywood Bowl in 2019. The second was doing costume alterations and traveling as a wardrobe assistant in the Bigger Love Tour for John Legend in 2021.

I have two main priorities for my brand to be set apart from others. One priority is for my customer to become their best, bold and authentic self. Let’s face it, so many brands are just following the next trend or are becoming so alike that you can’t tell one brand from the next. I want my clients and customers to feel their best and stepping out of their comfort zone one piece at a time until they have a wardrobe they love. The other priority is for my customers to become conscious consumers. It is becoming more clear to some that fashion and the environment are linked in many ways from garment production to the end of the life cycle of a garment. Our job is to not only enlighten more people on how fashion and the environment are connected but also show transparency and how they can be a part of positive change.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Later this year, we will be in the Small Boutique Fashion Show in Atlanta! The show is July 9th, and you don’t want to miss it! It will be all custom pieces ready to be sold in stores. If you are interested in being a fit and runway model for us, please feel free to contact us! If you would like to attend the show, please visit www.smallboutiquefw.com for more information.

And don’t forget to shop your new favorite wardrobe at www.modasusfashion.com.

Pricing:

• Prices range from $15-$200

Contact Info:

• Email: modasusfashinfo@gmail.com
• Website: www.modasusfashion.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/modasusfash
• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/modasusfash