Clashe is excited about being able to feature the next generation of fashion entrepreneurs that have the skills, resilience and portfolio to make headway into the fashion industry. If you have what it takes, create your Clashe lookbook and contact us to be featured in an interview.
Check out Chelsea Logan’s Designer Dashboard.
Chelsea, tell us about yourself.
I was born and raised in Northern Virginia. I grew up playing a lot of sports until I started to learn about the fashion industry. I fell in love with how creative and powerful the industry was. I modeled for a couple of years until I realized that I wanted to design and create products.
What is Luxe Innovations and why did you start it?
Luxe Innovations makes fashion forward travel accessories and storage products for lingerie. I started Luxe Innovations last year after realizing that there weren’t any fashionable ways to protect your intimates. I was traveling a lot at the time and I cringed at the thought of using a Ziploc bag for everything. I was not impressed with the items that were on the market and I knew I could make them better.
What was it like when you started Luxe Innovations?
When I first started Luxe Innovations, I was working 30 hours a week at a salon and going to college full-time. It was so hard to juggle everything and still maintain a creative mindset. I knew that in order for my business to be successful, I would have to quit my job. I still go to school but now I have more time to dedicate to my business.
What do people need to know about protecting their lingerie?
Whenever you purchase lingerie, you are making an investment. Lingerie needs to be protected because of its delicate nature. It can easily snag and tear on other items, especially if it’s in a suitcase. The best way to separate your lingerie is to put it in a lingerie bag. I would not recommend putting it in its compartment because it could snap on the zipper.
How are you products made?
My lingerie bags are all handmade. When I first started out, my mom and I were sewing them in our dining room. Now that my company is growing, I have found a really great seamstress who handles all of the sewing. I still handpick the all of the fabrics in addition to handling the other aspects of business—finance, advertising, and PR.
What has been the hardest part about marketing your product?
The hardest part about starting a business in the fashion industry is trying to get people to notice you. You have to work five times harder than you normally would to show everyone how unique and special your product is. I have found that educating your target market is the best way to introduce unique product. I give my customers tips about caring for their lingerie. Once they understand why they need to protect their intimates, they see the need for the product.
What is the most difficult aspect of running your own label versus i.e. design, production, sales, finance, advertising?
The most difficult part of running your own label is trying to manage your creativity. Inspiration has a way of consuming you. When I’m designing that’s all I want to do. I sometimes feel that there is a sense of urgency when I get an idea. I need to get my ideas out on paper and fully develop them before I do anything else. When this happens its easy to neglect the other aspects of business—finance, PR.
What the next step for Luxe Innovations?
My next step is to connect with retail buyers and get my product into stores. I would love for them to be sold in every state. I am also working on expanding the line into home storage products that can be used in the bedroom and bathroom.
What one piece of advice would you give to someone wanting to start a career in fashion?
Follow your heart and don’t give up. I know everyone tends to say that, but it is true. Starting a career in fashion is hard work. There are going to be many people who don’t understand your vision or will discourage you. You just have to keep pushing and one day your hard work will pay off.
Author Bio
Darryl had a problem. He needed to find clothing that was relevant to him, appropriate for where he was going, popular and affordable. He couldn’t find an answer on Google, Wikipedia, Dictionary.com or Flickr. So he started building Clashe.
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