Today we’d like to introduce you to Mia Reid.
Hi Mia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Growing up it was my dream to become a designer and being voted “Most Stylish” in high school solidified my fashion confidence even more, LOL! Eventually, I obtained my degree from NY Fashion Institute of Technology and worked for the biggest names in urban fashion (started as an intern for Sean John and soon was promoted to the executive assistant for the Vice President of Retail, later transitioned to AKADEMIKS as an accessories account executive for the Southeast territory).
In 2007, after accepting a job transfer with AKADEMIKS, newly married and pregnant, once I arrived in Georgia the position was terminated! After my pregnancy, I took the 1st position to hire… a stockroom position with Bloomingdales! I was determined to go back into the corporate world, and I was even more determined to put my degree/skills to use. The next five years I would spend in the stock room while also being a wife, mother, and designer, and although burnt out on multiple ends, I knew that I was capable of more. Against upper management’s “blessings,” I applied for a corporate position with Macy’s and in 2012, I said bye to the stockroom! But I soon realized that my passion was not behind a desk. For five years, I was a Data Analyst and sewing “on the side;” soon clientele peaked, opportunities for fashion shows increased, styling jobs became more regular! I was now receiving everything that I prayed for! So in 2017, I applied to the Belk “Southern Designers Showcase” contest in order to get my brand GiGi Carreras into 9 of their Southeast stores… and I WON! Being in Belk also opened the doors for me getting my brand into Macy’s Lenox Mall and Malls Orlando, Florida!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road! There was a point when I won the Belk contest, and I had to make a decision if I wanted to stay with my corporate job at Macys or turn down the Belk opportunity (they deemed that it would be a conflict of interest having a clothing brand in another department store)? My story is a clear example of how I’ve embraced ambition and challenged stereotypes. I would not be here today had I not left Virginia for NY and followed my dreams; had it not been for leaving Bloomingdale’s store and applying for a corporate position without management support, had it not been for applying to the “Southern Designer Showcase” and filling out an application that asked if I could produce over a 1,000 garments in three months (to which I replied yes and then figured it all out later!)! Glad I didn’t let the challenges of not having a manufacturer, an abundance of money, doubt of others, working full time, being a wife, or mom of three stop me from pursuing MY aspirations! My mantra has always been to “Go After Everything… even if you THINK you don’t qualify.”
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
After years of experience in fashion and retail, I was motivated to launch my first online store, GEM Stylez Boutique. Feeling a bit unfulfilled, in 2016, I launched Gigi Carreras, now MIA REID – a sexy, southern, sophisticated line of dresses and separates for women. This new venture opened new doors and opportunities. The MIA REID brand also includes a line of headwraps inspired by a family member who was diagnosed with cancer. Head Wraps by GiGi are pre-tied headwraps for those who suffer from various forms of hair loss (cancer, alopecia, lupus), which just slip on like a cap! They are sold individually or as part of Cancer Cuties, a self-care box created to comfort cancer patients and women experiencing hair loss due to illness. As part of my brand’s social mission, 1 Cancer Cutie box per month is sent to a deserving cancer recipient.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Yes… Go with the flow! In 2020, March-August saw me sitting at my sewing machine 24/7, churning out a face mask and head wraps! Although it was a pivotal point for my clothing business, the increase in revenue allowed me to sustain my clothing brand. Glad I was able to shift gears in the moment and “Go with the flow!”
Contact Info:
- Email: info@miareidcollection.com
- Website: www.miareidcollection.com
- Instagram: @designermiareid
Image Credits
Raphael Simien Leslie Andrews
