Solve Problems Not Create Them
I became a small business owner because of my passion for a need of making unique clothing for plus size women. My mother and aunts always complained about the lack of beautiful patterns, shapes, colors and fit of clothing in stores for plus size women. Back in the day, most clothing stores either did not carry plus sizes and if they did, it was a square shape moo moo dress with ugly dark colors. As an inspiring Fashion Designer, I needed to change this thought process and find a solution to make all plus size women look and feel beautiful. It was really sad to look at a commercials and advertisings only to see thin women wearing the hottest trends and colors. This can discourage plus size women like my mother and aunts to shop in stores, so when they found out that I was going to school to become a fashion designer I got bombarded with all kinds of ideas to create a clothing line for plus size women only.
After 2 years of completing my general studies at Wayne State University, I was accepted into their school of Fashion and Merchandising. Here is where I learned the technical skills of flat pattern, draping, sewing, textiles, history of clothing and so much more. In my own brain, I thought that attending the school of fashion was going to be as easy as hand sewing a dress for a barbie doll. I was in for a rude awaking, because learning the ins and outs of garment construction was more than just sewing, it was about understanding “where and how” fabric is made, its origin, the unethical labor workers endured in other countries that produced the fabrics to garments, while here in America, some companies knowingly add to these unethical procedures just to cut cost when getting garments manufactured. I’m glad that I decided to educate myself in the fashion industry, having this knowledge not only prepared me with the skills to make a garment, but prepared me to have the business sense to run an ethically and creditable successful business.
I knew from an early age that I wanted to become a Fashion Designer and own a business, but I got road blocked with having children at such an early age, this did not stop me with earning my high school diploma and my Bachelors of Arts. I would later get married to my wonderful spouse, whom accepted my children as his own along with our son. He encouraged me to continue my education in Business Administration, where I would earn an Associate Degree. Armed with the background in Fashion and Business I decided to start a small company, using my savings, donations, and monetary help from my family, I created Criselle Collection, a clothing source for all women of various shapes and sizes using beautiful colors, patterns and textiles.
Because of my passion for helping others, my business is now aimed at saving our environment. My company is modeled to use ethically source and sustainable clothing that is produced from materials that are recycled, upcycled or fabrics used from my local “mom and pop” fabric store. Looking back to the beginning, this is how Criselle Collection Started, I made clothing from used materials to help eliminate waste all while making women look beautiful and fashionable. I am a proud small business owner that will continue to use my resources to solve problems and not create them.