Conversations with Christi Hairston

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christi Hairston.

Hi Christi, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After a successful career in marketing and advertising, I was seeking an opportunity to start a business of my own. I’ve always loved wearing tights and fancy socks, and much consideration went into the start of my own hosiery brand. I knew that many women considered hosiery an old-fashioned accessory, so it was important for me not only to develop a fashion-forward product but a brand that hosiery lovers can connect with.

The inspiration for my brand came from my late sister, Carra—a brave, bold woman who walked with confidence wearing fashion statements that turned heads! CARRA was created with her in mind and a way to pay homage to her fashion sense. My mission was to change the perception of how the modern-day woman wear hosiery while erasing the stigma of men wearing hosiery.

I launched my first collection in 2017 and made history during Milan Fashion Week in 2018 by being the first African-American Hosiery designer for Oxford Fashion House.

My sister’s legacy lives throughout the brand.

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?
Being a business owner has many challenges, and the process was not smooth at times! Hosiery development was an unfamiliar territory for me and when I decided to start my own business, it was important for me to get it right the first time. I spent the first 2 years researching fabrics, textiles, and how hosiery was made. I enrolled in an out-of-state class that taught me the fundamentals of machinery and fabrics and ultimately connected me with a manufacturer. The first two years were dedicated to product development and raising brand awareness. Because I don’t have a storefront, it was important to delve into how I could utilize social media to sell my products. How to turn a like into a customer. Then COVID hit. Like other minority-owned businesses, I faced unique challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic due to a combination of systemic disparities and the economic impact of the crisis. When the world shut down, my sales declined significantly for almost 12 months. Not to mention my U.S.-based manufacturer closed during the pandemic. I found myself back at square 1.

Lack of capital and financial resources was also a challenge I faced that impacted our growth and revenue. I started CARRA Hosiery with my savings so I’m very keen on my bottom line.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
CARRA Hosiery is a luxury hosiery boutique in the Washington, DC area. CARRA Hosiery is unique in so many ways. As a black woman-owned brand, I have a unique business model and mission that sets us apart from other brands. CARRA was one of the first and possibly only brands to include built-in bikini pants in all of our products. As we promote genderless fashion, CARRA is normalizing men wearing hosiery. Additionally, we are one of the first brands to market to men in a manner that is both appealing and fashionable. CARRA Hosiery was not created during a time of a trend. I developed this brand because I didn’t see one in the market that appealed to me. Our key demographics range from 18-50, giving us an advantage to offer something unique for everyone. Our products are sustainable and designs are exclusive to our brand. Our hosiery community of #carragirls and #carraguys is proudly across social media alike!

What are your plans for the future?
I would love to have CARRA Hosiery sold in a major department store. I would also love to expand my products into intimate apparel and diversify our collections to cater to a wider range of customer preferences, sizes, and styles. I would also like to explore partnerships with established lingerie retailers to increase distribution. As I look at designs for my next collection, I plan to design new styles that cater to different occasions (everyday wear, special occasions, etc.) I’m also looking at ways to make our products with eco-friendly materials that are in line with our sustainability objectives.

Pricing:

• Price range $9.99 – $18.99

Contact Info:

• Website: carrahosiery.com
• Instagram: @carrahosiery
• Facebook: carrahosiery
• Twitter: @carrahosiery