Priscilla Williams shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Priscilla , we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I’ve been taking a little break from what I like to call “books with index.” Normally, I gravitate toward fashion history, the latest smart textile research, or exhibition catalogs. It might sound a bit dry on paper, but those subjects truly make my heart happy. Over the past year, though, I’ve challenged myself to read more novels instead. Recently, Haruki Murakami has captured my attention—I’m almost finished with The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. I actually started with 1Q84 and loved how he draws you in with the most ordinary, everyday details before sweeping you into his mystical, surreal worlds. (If anyone’s curious, I’d recommend starting with The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle first—a character carries over into 1Q84, though it didn’t affect my reading experience.) Exploring Murakami’s work has really opened the door for me to dive deeper into Japanese authors, and I’m excited to keep discovering more voices in this genre.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Priscilla Williams, and I’m a clothing designer and the founder of Eleven is Prime. Over the years, I’ve designed everything from catsuits to wedding gowns to wide-brim hats. I began my journey creating custom pieces, which I loved because of the collaborative energy—working with someone to bring their vision to life always felt like building a story together.
At the same time, I knew I wanted to explore my own ideas and create designs that came directly from me. I had so many concepts I needed to bring to life, and once I started, it opened up a whole new creative direction. Over the past year, I’ve showcased these designs through Plus and Minus Market, a local pop-up I co-host with other talented creatives. That experience gave me the confidence to now focus more intentionally on growing my online shops and sharing my work with a wider audience.
My latest work is rooted in a love for giving clothing a second life—whether that means transforming fabric scraps into bold, one-of-a-kind pieces or curating timeless thrifted finds that deserve to be worn and appreciated again. Alongside that, I’m deeply intentional about the materials I use. I choose quality fabrics over what’s simply available, and I pride myself on knowing the difference—like the feel and durability of a long-staple cotton compared to a short-staple one. That knowledge shapes both the look and longevity of each garment.
What sets my brand apart is the way it combines creativity with sustainability. Each reworked garment is truly one of a kind, designed through a process that’s equal parts intuition and craftsmanship. I create unique, high-quality pieces that invite people to express their individuality while also making mindful choices about what they wear. Right now, I’m focused on expanding my collections and continuing to explore how clothing can be both expressive and responsible.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
This is such a great question because I’ve always envied people who can pinpoint exactly who shaped their career or mentored them. My journey has been much different. There isn’t one person who necessarily taught me how to sew, design, or make patterns. I’ve always been the type to figure things out on my own. My biggest influences were really the people in my life who sewed—like my mom and my grandmother. They were two incredibly resourceful women who could make something beautiful out of almost nothing, and that example of resourcefulness shaped me deeply in my design career.
While my mom taught me the basics of sewing, I still consider myself largely self-taught. I had to actively seek out the information I needed, and sometimes it felt like mining for coal—digging endlessly for answers. But I enjoyed that challenge. This was before Instagram, before TikTok, and right at the beginning of YouTube becoming a place where people shared tutorials.
I did go on to study Apparel and Textiles at Southern Polytechnic State University (We miss you SPSU!), but the program was more focused on the manufacturing side of the industry. Since I was paying for school out of pocket, it was the most accessible option within my budget. While I took classes like pattern making and apparel analysis, they didn’t necessarily take a deep dive into the creative areas of fashion I was most passionate about.
Looking back, I do wish I had sought out a mentor earlier in my journey. At the time, balancing full-time work and part-time school kept me from reaching out for support. That’s something I’d share as advice for anyone navigating their field—don’t wait until you feel “ready.” Seek guidance and mentorship sooner rather than later, because having that support can make the path a lot less isolating and help you grow faster. Even without a single mentor, though, the resourcefulness I learned from my mom and grandmother became its own kind of guidance, and it continues to shape the way I approach design today.
When did you last change your mind about something important?
Probably in the last several years, I changed my mind about how much time I should wait before launching new ideas. I used to think everything had to be perfect before sharing it, but I’ve realized that starting small and improving along the way is often the best approach. It keeps the momentum going and leaves room for growth.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
Whew! The fashion industry has quite a few stories it tells itself but I’ll limit myself to my top three. One of the biggest lies the fashion industry tells itself is that it’s already sustainable and forward-thinking. While progress has been made, “sustainability” is often treated as a marketing tool while fast fashion continues to churn out cheap garments at the expense of underpaid and under appreciated labor. The same goes for technology—innovations like sustainable textiles exist, but adoption is slow because it’s easier and cheaper to stick with what’s familiar.
The second issue is labor. Many garment workers around the world still don’t earn a livable wage and continue to work in unsafe and grueling conditions. This has been known for decades, and true accountability means confronting it—not just celebrating surface-level change.
Finally, the industry often confuses borrowing with true celebration. Too many times, aesthetics and traditions from marginalized cultures are lifted for profit without context, credit, or meaningful support for the communities behind them.
That said, I do see a lot of innovation worth celebrating. From algae-based pigment dyes to cactus leather and stronger pushes for fair supply chains, there are key players proving that change is possible—even if it’s slow and costly.
On my own smaller scale, I try to reject shortcuts by choosing quality fabrics and creating with intention. For me, fashion is about longevity, creativity, and respect—for the planet, for culture, and for the people who make our clothes. The industry moves fast, but I believe slowing down, thinking before acting, and demanding accountability will help today’s innovations grow into a much bigger wave of progress..
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
Tap dancing might be a bit extreme, but I get what you mean—and honestly, I feel like I’m in that era now! After having my child nearly eight years ago, then navigating COVID, and later taking time to heal from necessary medical procedures, it’s been a long journey to get back to this place. I’m giving you the sped-up version, but it wasn’t easy. That’s why I’m so proud of where I am today.
Right now, I’m preparing to launch my online shops, I have a capsule collection available at Space Queen ATL in Candler Park, and I’m experimenting with some really exciting sustainable materials. I’m currently working with a black pigment made from algae that’s completely carbon-free and versatile enough to dye everything from silk to cotton polyester blends. I’ve also worked with cactus-based faux leather, which exceeded my expectations in durability, and I’m keeping an eye on upcoming plant-protein leather releases.
In the meantime, I’m designing with deadstock fabrics and preloved clothing while also exploring biomaterials that feed my scientific side of fashion. That’s what I love most about this industry—there’s so much more to explore than just the runway, and I finally feel energized and excited to dive into it all.
Be sure to check my links below to stay updated on everything I’m doing!
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Priscilla Williams
Bridal shot by Mog Photography
