Exploring Life & Business with Szana “Z” Marr of Pretty-Z-Marr

Today we’d like to introduce you to Szana “Z” Marr.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Hi, I’m Szana Marr, Founder and Fashion Designer of Pretty-Z-Marr, a women’s fashion brand creating capsule wardrobe pieces designed for real life. The brand was created from a simple belief: Feeling Pretty is Pretty Powerful.

I saw how often women are asked to do everything, be everywhere, and still look put together while doing it. I didn’t want fashion to add pressure. I wanted fashion to create freedom. I want fashion to be a tool that empowers women, rather than another demand or restriction.

My earliest fashion education came from reselling clothing online on sites like Poshmark & Ebay. The reselling experience taught me what women really keep, re-wear, and love. I learned quickly that what looks good on a hanger isn’t always what works in real life. That hands-on knowledge pushed me from selling clothes to designing them.

I’ve always seen myself as an inventor and problem solver first. That mindset led to my first manufactured garment (ZaZa Skirt) becoming patent-pending. I approach design by starting with function—what women actually need—then making it beautiful.

My favorite questions when designing a piece are:
How can one piece do more?
How can getting ready feel easy but still magical?…Oh, and women have no time, so make it quick!
How can a garment snatch you in all of the right areas?
How can a garment hide the problem areas and still show off the areas you want to show off—all while focusing on COMFORT at the same time?

This design process sounds impossible, but it is not… Every piece has to have a purpose, fit beautifully, and be a staple our client reaches for over and over. We want our pieces to be the “old faithful” our client goes back to again and again.

This Fashion Path led to the invention of the patent-pending ZaZa Skirt. We recently launched a #hidethepooch campaign because this skirt literally makes all tummies go FLAT. There are also 10+ ways to wear it and so ways to style the piece. All of our designs are created to move from real life to real moments—workdays, travel days, date nights, and everything in between.

Pretty-Z-Marr is built on cross-functional design and intentional simplicity. Timeless staples that work as hard as the women who wear them. Clothes that adapt to your life, not the other way around.

My inspiration comes from my Grandmother’s timeless advice: “If you feel good, you can do anything. You can look the world in the face” she used to say. That belief is stitched into every design and is where our motto came from: “Feeling Pretty is Pretty Powerful.”

The ZaZa Skirt is just the beginning. Pretty-Z-Marr is being built as a full system of intentional, cross-functional pieces designed to work together and stand alone. More designs are in development, each created with the same focus on versatility, comfort, and real-life functionality. Every new piece is designed to earn its place in your closet and become a go-to you rely on again and again.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
From the outside, starting a fashion brand sounds glamorous. People always say, “That’s sooo cool!”—and it is cool. But it’s also messy, demanding, and full of learning curves. One of my biggest challenges was fully stepping into something completely new in my 40’s. I was used to being confident and capable in my work. Suddenly, I was a beginner again—learning manufacturing, sourcing, production, and the realities of the fashion industry from the ground up. That humility was uncomfortable. But it became one of my greatest strengths. Me being newer to fashion design and manufacturing helps me to see industry and product gaps and really speak to the customer much more authentically. I have not been doing this for decades so my view is fresh and clear!
On a personal level, I’m also a wife and a mother of two young children, so balancing family, creativity, and building a brand required deep support and sacrifice. My family has been my foundation throughout this journey. There were lots of moments of doubt, exhaustion, and trial-and-error. But every challenge has sharpened my instincts. Being new forced me to listen more, study harder, and innovate differently. I love being challenged so this has been a great experience for me. I have always thrived under pressure. I cry the whole way, but I love it. 🙂

We’ve been impressed with Pretty-Z-Marr, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Well, what the readers should know is I REALLY care how the garment makes the woman feel. Every garment designed by me has to stay true to my motto, “Feeling Pretty is Pretty Powerful.”

Pretty-Z-Marr is built on intentional simplicity and cross-functional design. I design pieces that adapt to women’s lives—not the other way around. Every single thing I design has to pass the three tests below.
1. Does it fit well… like really well on ALL body types?
2. Once the fit is taken care of, is the design cool, does it have that extra pizazz?
3. Then I move on to versatility….Can the item be a staple in the woman’s wardrobe?

If all of these things align, we have a winner. ~ If the garment does not check all three boxes above, the garment design does not move forward. I care deeply about how a woman feels when she puts on one of our pieces. Confidence is not accidental—it’s designed.

In line with that thought process, as mentioned above, we have the Patent Pending ZaZa Skirt. Even more exciting is ~ we just launched a #hidethepooch campaign (hide the pooch) showing how ALL tummies, no matter what size pooch, your pooch is “poof” gone! . This #hidethepooch campaign has really resonated with ALL women because it speaks to real women and real bodies—without shame, without pressure.

The ZaZa skirt has all of the things: Snatched waist (no shape wear needed) + Extra Pizzazz + Versatility (the skirt can be worn 10+ ways). In my book, these factors are such a score for Fashion. The ZaZa Skirt is for the Fashion Forward Woman who wants to feel glamorous but not have to squeeze into shape-wear all the time.

What sets Pretty-Z-Marr apart is that I design with function first. When comfort meets versatility and style, getting dressed becomes easier—and confidence becomes natural. That’s what I’m most proud of: creating clothing that simplifies life while elevating how women feel. ~ How you present yourself is not about hiding yourself. It’s about feeling supported, beautiful, and powerful. So you can be your best you!

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I believe the future of fashion is thoughtful, versatile, and centered around real women and real lives.

Women are becoming much more intentional about what they buy. They don’t want overflowing closets full of pieces they barely wear. They want fewer items that do more. They want quality, comfort, versatility, and emotional connection to their wardrobe.

Consumers are asking better questions—Where was this made? How does this fit? Will I actually wear this more than once? Does this work for my lifestyle?

I also see a major shift toward multifunctional garments, size-inclusive design, and comfort-driven luxury. Women are done choosing between looking good and feeling good. They want both.

Technology and customization will continue to grow, but heart, storytelling, and authenticity will matter more than ever. Brands that truly listen to women—and design with them in mind—will win.

Over the next 5–10 years, the brands that succeed will be the ones that simplify life, respect women’s time, and create pieces that actually work. Not just for photos. For real days.

That’s exactly where I see Pretty-Z-Marr going—leading with purpose, versatility, and confidence. Designing clothing that helps women feel powerful, capable, and beautiful in every season of life.

Pricing:

• $50 Online Gift Card with an email to hello@prettyzmarr.com

Contact Info:

• Website: www.prettyzmarr.com
• Instagram: @prettyzmarr
• Facebook: @prettyzmarr
• Youtube: @prettyzmarr
• Other: Tiktok @prettyzmarr.com