Today, we’d like to introduce you to Calechie.
Hi Calechie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I was introduced to Fashion in the 8th grade by my amazing science professor, Chenoia B. The first day of class I was immediately drawn to her style and confidence. I distinctly remember her in the most bold pieces from leopard suiting to graffiti stilettos and beautiful ostrich bags.
I had never seen anyone dress this way and from that moment on I knew I had to be the creator of iconic pieces for bold women like her. She took me under her wing, I’m forever grateful.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like anything worth obtaining there is struggle and reward. For me, my journey in fashion hasn’t had many obstacles I couldn’t tackle. One thing that stood out at the beginning was The lack of representation of coveted designers who looked like me.
When I set out on this journey in the 8th grade; subscribing to VOGUE, ELLE, & Harper’s BAZAAR, It was discouraging not feeling like I could fully identify with any of the brands/ designers featured at the time. Attending a design school in New York further reiterated this feeling as I was one of very few African American students. I’ve always felt I had a unique point of view and this kept me focused and adamant about pushing forward no matter what.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I feel like my brand has become known for one-of-a-kind unique items that are fresh and styles that are at the forefront of fashion trends. Many pieces I have launched have started trends that not only trickled down but have been seen replicated by high-end fashion houses.
I have a big following that also loves my up-cycled pieces where I completely reimagine existing garments or unconventional items. I am most proud of being able to start this vision in the 8th grade and to still be on course and able to do exactly what I set out to do when I first was introduced to fashion. I love what I do, and I feel my brand has grown because I design from a place of passion for the industry.
I think the thing that sets my brand apart from others is the fact that I do not look to other brands for inspiration, although I have my favorite designers. I love to freely drape on my dress form or sketch until I develop something I’ve never seen before. Something new. Something exciting.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk-taking.
I have taken so many risks on my journey of developing my brand. Fashion is always a risk; it can be a hit or miss with your audience. Investing in a collection can be very risky if it doesn’t land with your client base and sale.
I think a brand’s biggest fear is not selling and being Stuck with a product that will not sell. As I have gotten into mass production and expanded my collection to footwear you must order large quantities at a time known as “MOQ” in hopes it all sells.
There have been past items that do not perform so well and others I continuously restock to this day. The more risks you take the more you learn to predict the outcome and make smarter risks. No risk, no reward.
Contact Info:
- Website: Calechie.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calechie?igsh=NWhrdXNoY3dzcTFi&utm_source=qr
Image Credits
Giani Martin, Jonathan Jericho, and Shawn Hanna
