Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Kollar.
Amber, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Starting my college career, I hoped to study fashion marketing and management. As the first year passed, I started to see the flaws in the fashion industry. Fast fashion has corrupted our lifestyle and shopping habits. This not only affects the massive waste of clothes in landfills, in our oceans and pollution from factories, but also the in-humane treatment of workers. After working for a sustainable online marketplace, known as Depop, I decided to change my major to fashion design in hopes of learning how to make clothes from recycled fabric. I started with local stores that recycled art supplies and even pulled from thrift stores and my own closet. I have grown to love sewing and creating clothes. It is not only my hobby, but I hope to be my career. I want to inspire others to recycle their clothes, either if it’s to a Goodwill, donation or selling online through a sustainable marketplace such as Depop. SPICE represents how to “spice” up your wardrobe with a memorable piece. Right now I am focused on mostly feminine clothes, but in the future I plan to expand my brand to all unisex clothes.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There have been many struggles along the way. I never thought I would be able to sew and it took me hundreds of hours in the studio to learn and love the industrial machines. Once finally comfortable with the studio, our school was shut down due to COVID-19 and classes were moved online. I had to resort back to a home sewing machine, with no serger. I also began to run out of resources for class and my personal work due to stores shutting down. I re-worked clothes from my own closet and used fabrics I bought from thrifts over the past few months. With struggles, I learned how to be resourceful and not order fabrics online through cheap wholesale, knowing the negative impacts of that decision.
Tell us more about the business.
I have just started my business SPICE through Depop. My username is @ambakolla. I also have a website for my photography, designs, patterns and highlighted clothes – spiceamberkollar.com. I sew recycled fabrics into clothes. I am most proud of thrifting my fabrics instead of using wholesale. I find unique designs and make them into one of a kind piece.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I have had good and bad luck throughout life. I struggle with my constant stress which relates to my Alopecia. This is a disease that attacks your white blood cells and makes your hair fall out. I have dealt with shaving my head since I was 11 years old. When I was younger, I lacked confidence and was called “ugly” and even a boy sometimes. As I grew older, I realized hair did not define me as a person, my uniqueness did. I used this to apply to college early and get into art school, this finding my passion for recycled fashion. There I met the man of my dreams and my fashion career. In all, a little bad luck lead to a new path in my life I never thought I would encounter. Leaving a small town to a beautiful city changed my perspective and ever since I have had good luck.
Contact Info:
- Website: spiceamberkollar.com
- Phone: 8605786444
- Email: amberkollar2600@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spicieambie/
- Other: https://depop.com/ambakolla
Image Credit:
1st picture (of me) – Daniela Guevara
butterfly top and necklace – Alex Harner
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