Andrea ward is a entrepreneur on many different levels, such as Filmmaker, Writer, Activist against Domestic violence (Survivor) ,Celebrity Fashion Stylist, Great Niece Of Billie Holiday (Lady Day), Actress, Book Author & Vocalist, Creator of Redemption Images. She attended one of the best prestigious School in medicine while receiving recognition from the Mayor of Baltimore.
After taking her chance on her hidden love for fashion, she decided to launch a cut & sew brand without formal training. Her passion has taken her Center Stage, as a featured designer for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week such as NYFW , LAFW, Milan Fashion Week along with publication for Essence Magazine, Ellements Magazine, Style Cruz Magazine, USA Weekly, La Weekly, Madison Square Bill Boards, Height Magazine, Michael jai White, UN Women, Fashion Week online, NAACP Image Awards, Daytime Emmy, Reddit, Marvel’s Black Panther, U.S Weekly Magazine ,Ivan Button Style House. Andrea’s career began in the Fashion industry by storm Now taking over the Film industry with new Debut of her Upcoming Award-Winning Feature Film “Reborn Redemption” an Action pack super hero movie about the struggles that are currently impacting the surrounding communities of Los Angeles California. While currently being Nominated for 15 Awards and 8 Wins for her Recent Short film “Deception Street” inspired by true events. Andrea has invested her time and energy in telling untold and authentic stories inspired by her lifetime experiences which has also inspired her to launch her program “LIFE AFTER THE STORM’ this fall For families affected by domestic violence to create a safe learning environment to, inspire, teach, mentor as well as Turning their pain into power through the art of Writing, Music & Film.
Outside of entrepreneurship and business, who is Andrea Ward? Andrea Ward is a mother, daughter, sister, mentor, activist against domestic violence, fighter and victor.
When did you discover your passion for fashion? At the age of 23, had just recovered from abusive relationship.
How did you launch your career in the fashion industry? I was discovered online by Mercede benz fashion week.
You have been centerstage on several platforms, can you share how this experience has prepared you for where you are now in your career? This experience has prepared me for all walks of like and has molded me into the woman I needed to be to be successful.
Tell us about your recent debut into the film industry, with Reborn Redemption? Reborn Redemption was a way of showing redemption for women In tough situations and how you have to be the hero for yourself to save yourself when no one else.
What advice do you have for entrepreneurs looking to get their foot into the fashion industry? Keep creating no matter what.
What message do you hope women take away from your platform? Never be afraid to be yourself and live out in your truth.
What is your definition of a Pretty Woman Who Hustles? Female version of a boss that works hard every day for her empire.
People are drawn to leather items this season due to the texture and durability that they provide. Additionally, leather items are often seen as a symbol of luxury, and fashion trends often reflect the current social climate. So, as people look for ways to feel more comfortable and secure during these times, investing in leather items is a popular choice. These are the two surprising reasons why you’ll be donning something leather this month.
Start looking for lace in one of your favorite department stores. Once you’ve identified some options, try them on to find the perfect one for you.The versatility of leather will have you happily surprised. From jackets, skirts, to shoes, leather wil really bring out the fashionista in you.
Regardless of your style you’ll find something. Many stores carry a variety of items, including clothing, accessories, and shoes, which makes it easy to find something to suit any style. Additionally, many stores are beginning to offer more custom options, making it even easier to find something that is a perfect fit. The minimalist nature of leather suits everyone.
Consider the durability and style of the leather to determine if it’s worth the investment. Quality leather should last for many years without showing signs of wear and tear. It should also be comfortable and have a classic, timeless style and I’m sure you’ll agree.
Starting out as an Artisan Jeweler and Designer specializing in loomed cuff bracelets, Danielle Nicole Enright moved on to lead her own female empowerment brand, ABRAU, adding curated fine jewelry pieces and expanding to worldwide and celebrity clientele. Abrau is proud to be considered a “Pay it Forward Company”, donating a portion of her proceeds to numerous local and National non-profits.
Since 2011, Abrau Jewelry has been included in gift bags for the Academy awards and has been worn on celebrities and on the silver screen. However, Danielle states that she feels most blessed to have acquired customers all over the world, many of whom have sent her emails or letters telling her that her jewelry has made a difference in their lives, “I love making people smile and to think that what I do has contributed to someone’s happiness is an absolute blessing!” Danielle also enjoys giving back. She donates a portion of her proceeds to many Vermont and national charities, including Women Helping Battered Women, Hunger-Free Vermont, American Cancer Foundation, and Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Danielle is a mom of three children and lives in Vermont with her husband who is in the United States Air Force. All of her pieces are shipped out from her workshop in the Green Mountains and to this day, she handles every order herself. She states, “I want to make sure that every single order that ships out has been packaged by me personally. I enjoy being hands-on, I enjoy designing, I enjoy connecting with my customers and I love writing personalized notes to them. I bless each order that goes out and I hope my customers can feel that positive energy.”
When did you find your passion for jewelry design?
My passion for jewelry design began when I lost my career in the legal field in 2008. I was working as a Paralegal for the United States Attorney’s Office and was well on my way to establishing a solid, lifelong career in the legal field when I had a traumatic experience and lost my job. I entered into therapy in order to cope with this huge loss and that’s where I discovered “art therapy.” I initially started painting as a way to cope and then I stumbled upon a Youtube tutorial for jewelry-making and the rest is history. I fell in love, instantly. The challenge of creating something whole out of pieces was almost metaphorical to my own life at the time. Learning to perfect and master a new skill also kept my anxiety at bay. As a child, I was musically and artistically inclined and I grew up in a very artistic family. By making jewelry, it was almost as if I was rediscovering parts of myself that I had forgotten about.
Tell us about your female empowerment brand, ABRAU.
ABRAU is a brand that was initialized during my own loss but it’s also a brand that has been built up over time to not only prove my own resilience but to give back to others. It’s a brand that is inclusive and reflects empowerment, resilience, hope and strength. I am so proud to be considered a “Pay it Forward Company”, giving back to others financially through donations to nonprofits and also through my own mentoring. ABRAU is a reflection of how we as women in particular can overcome and succeed despite every obstacle in our way.
In 2021, ABRAU was awarded “Most Impactful Business Award” by DotCom Magazine for the mentoring that she does on the side. Danielle has amassed a large following of ladies on Instagram and she has been called “inspirational” and an “icon” by thousands of young women who are inspired by her ability to stay humble and personable, sharing her own struggles as an entrepreneur. Danielle feels most blessed for the female connections that she has made and her ability to inspire other females to start their own businesses. Danielle states, “to think that I’ve inspired another female to start their own jewelry line or business is the biggest blessing and reward of my career!”
Your jewelry is a favorite among celebrity clientele. Tell us more.
I love to create curated fine jewelry pieces for celebrities! I love the challenge of creating a piece of jewelry from someone else’s vision. Some of the pieces I’m most proud of were created for specific characters on television and it’s always so rewarding to see models and celebrities enjoying and wearing my work. There are many celebrities that I work with who want to remain anonymous and I absolutely respect and honor their wishes. I also love my celebrity clients who want to shout ABRAU from the rooftops! I treat every client as if they are celebrities, whether they’re buying a $20 piece of jewelry or a curated piece of jewelry dripping in diamonds. I want every woman to feel as if they can shop in my store because we all deserve beautiful jewelry.
ABRAU has been included in gift bags for the Academy Awards. Tell us about your experience. How much fun were the events?
To date, ABRAU has been included in several award show events, such as the Golden
Globes, the Oscars and the Grammy’s. Unfortunately, Covid-19 interfered with my attending these events in-person this year, but it’s always such an honor to have ABRAU included in the swag bags. Celebrities and media who have received my jewelry have always been so gracious and appreciative of my contributions so I will absolutely continue to participate in these fabulous events because they’re so much fun.
Can you share your favorite pieces?
My favorite pieces of jewelry will always be my most sentimental. Just as a painter paints or a writer writes, I am an emotional person who creates jewelry pieces based on my own experiences. Unless curated by a client, most of my pieces have deep spiritual or emotional meaning to me and they are created to guide myself or my wearer through trying times. For instance, the piece that was created for the Grammys this year called, “Through” is a circle with a chain going through the center of it. It’s minimalistic but full of meaning. I was going through a tough time in my life and I came to the realization that avoiding my emotions wasn’t helping. The only way out was through. My jewelry is truly meant to help my wearer get through similar situations because there is no one on earth who is immune to hardships. It is how we get through said hardships that sets us apart.
As we move into the Fall, what can we find?
I’ve been sharing more of my personal life on Instagram and I think that has allowed women to see that we all have the same challenges. People should expect more transparency, as I am currently working on my memoir. I plan on creating a new fall line of jewelry that is reflective of newer and bolder designs as well as retiring older styles and streamlining my website. My ultimate goal is to create a nonprofit that will continue to help catapult women in the same way that ABRAU has. My nonprofit will teach early coping skills, such as jewelry-making, to adolescents. We will also continue to mentor young women to develop their skill sets to create and run their own businesses.
Do you plan for any expansion in 2023? I absolutely plan to participate in all of the upcoming celebrity events such as the 2023 awards shows. I’m also so excited to be submitting my jewelry for consideration for use on new television shows and movies that will be premiering in 2023.
Zarya Azadi is an entrepreneur, model, and activist. She is the only working Kurdish Top Model walking runway show worldwide. Writing history for being the first of her kind published in magazines such as Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, and Marie Claire to name a few. With a height of 6ft, she is currently the tallest Kurdish model on the runway.
Zarya studied Management at Oxford Brookes University and decided to use fashion as a platform to raise awareness on social causes as she too belongs to an ethnic minority group, the Ezidis who was genocide by ISIS in 2014.
After several years of social media, Zarya decided to return and started her own projects also highlighting racism and exploitation in the industry. Zarya attended Jimmy Choo’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the World Fashion Week in Paris and got inspired. She is an ambassador for NGO Mundo Cooperate and Co-founder of Girlup Kurdistan, a United Nations Foundation Initiative.
In 2020 she launched her campaign, “Evolve Your Heritage” and published her editorial shoot “Red Ribbon” in various magazines. One of Zarya’s passions is representing Kurdish art and culture within the fashion and creating “The Hidden Beauty of Kurdistan” working with Kurdish designers.
This year she showcased her own collection in collaboration with Carat23 during London Fashion Week. Zarya Azadi is a well-established ambassador and cooperates partners with the Spanish NGO Mundo Cooperate. For years, she has immensely contributed to fighting against female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage, and forced marriage. Zarya’s initiative to eradicate fights against domestic violence and gender equality issues is reflected in her work through fashion walk in Milan, London, Paris, NY, LA, and Berlin.
She recently launched a new campaign, “Evolve Your Heritage,” to shed old traditions and customs that hinder the development of women and young girls. Apart from being a driven philanthropist, she is also a thriving co-founder of Girl Up Kurdistan, a women-driven business, that empowers women to be independent and provide for their families.
Her dedication and resilience have earned her a worldwide reputation that continues to make strides in her field. Currently, she is promoting the AZADI clothing line by Brusk Label in cooperation with the orphanage, Our Bridge e.V. in Khanke in Kurdistan. Part of the sales will be donated to the Ezidi orphans who lost their parents during the genocide by ISIS in 2014. www.zaryaazadi.com
You are the only working Kurdish Top Model walking runway showworldwide. Tell us about your experience.
I have been doing modeling since I was a teenager. Over the years when attending international shows I have not once met another Kurdish model, male or female, walking the catwalk with me. I have worked with creative people from all around the world and it was and still is a great experience learning about different cultures and ethnicities. I have made some really good friendships over the years with people from the fashion industry. Most of them never heard much about my heritage and this was a reason for me to use the fashion industry to highlight my art and culture.
You have been featured in Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, and MarieClaire. What does this mean to you?
Being featured in these big magazines makes me proud of myself. I have worked with a great team in Paris during Paris Fashion Week this year and I am grateful for the opportunity. This allows me to speak about the lack of representation of Kurdish creatives in the fashion industry or at least to be identified as such. Me being featured in all these magazines was history-making and it shows the hard work that I have put in over the years.
Where do you see your career in 2022?
This year has already been a great start for me. I attended the fashion shows in London, Paris, Rotterdam, and Berlin and met some great new people talking about new ideas for the future. I worked with different photographers in each city for different photo shoots. I cannot wait to publish all my images soon. Me being featured in Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Marie Claire, etc. was a great start for 2022 already. Of course, I would like to be featured in more magazines and preferably on the covers of the mentioned above. Who does not like to be covered in Vogue magazine (laughs)?
The main reason for me to be able to achieve all that is to show representation and to raise awareness. I have been asked about doing acting roles in the past. I have never done anything in that field, but I would consider this if the opportunity would arise.
What designers impress you the most?
There are so many beautiful and talented designers worldwide that it would be difficult to just name a few. I have worked with a lot of emerging designers over the years as well and the level of quality of their work is just impressive. This too is underrepresented in my opinion. I love to work with designers that use their creative work to highlight their culture. I do believe in the work of designers when using other cultures to highlight the beauty of that culture, this is called cultural appreciation, however, I do not support the cultural appropriation of some other designers. Be original but also respectful about the sources from which you get inspired.
What inspired you to do your own fashion collection to showcase during London Fashion Week at Fashion Finest in Feb 2022?
Since I was preparing for a Kurdish Fashion Show in 2021, I got to work with a lot of talented Kurdish fashion designers. I had already created my own collection “Red Ribbon” to showcase equality for women and got more inspired to create a different collection to combine traditional Kurdish fabrics and patterns with modern style. I chose Kurdish colors, patterns, and style so it would look modern and new on the catwalk. I used a Kurdish headpiece for my showstopper dress that got the audience interested in my heritage. I also collaborated with the Dutch handbag designer Carat23 and added the newest styles of ‘the diamond, the rock, and the baguette’ handbags to my collection. Please have a look for yourself (smiles).
You are an activist against domestic violence and gender
equality issues. Tell us about your work.
During the pandemic, gender equality issues against women were rising around the world. It was very unfortunate that the lockdowns started in March 2020 just after I had launched my campaign “Evolve Your Heritage” in February 2020 during London Fashion Week. I was using my creative work to raise awareness of these social causes in cooperation with the Spanish NGO Mundo Cooperate.
Who would you like to work with in 2022?
I would like to work with a lot of brands in the industry. If it had to narrow it down to the top five it would be brands like L’Oreal, Chanel, Burberry, Victoria’s Secret, and Cartier. I would love to get the opportunity to show some representation within the bigger fashion market as representation matters.
This teen entrepreneur is adding beauty to her extensive resume with the launch of Mari by Marsai. Debuting on 2.2.22 Mari by Marsai is a high-quality and cruelty-free press on nails and nail care line.
MARI is our cruelty-free line of luxury Press on Nails and premium Nail Care! The debut launch consists of our high-quality press ons available to you in various lengths, 6 unique designs, and a selection of diamond-inspired shapes
Visit the website Maribymarsai.com and follow @maribymarsai to get to know more about the products.
Black-owned natural beauty products brand Natalia Me’Gan is proud to announce the release of their latest looks in hair extension design, just in time for the holiday season! Natalia Me’Gan Hair And Beauty founder Schenika Quattlebaum have summoned her considerable talents to bring forth an amazing selection of all-natural, 100% human hair weave extensions, in lengths from 10” to 32”, machine double-stitched, of 100 grams (3.5 oz.) weight. This new addition to the growing Natalia Me’Gan product line is sure to accentuate your radiant good looks at holiday parties, dinners, or even those cozy moments by the fire. Continuing the brand’s philosophy of enhancing customers’ beauty in the most natural way, Natalia Me’Gan is looking forward to reaching even greater heights in 2022!
To date, Natalia Me’Gan has been featured in Essence Magazine (“Top Five Black Beauty Brands You Must Have In Your Cart”), In Touch (“Celebrity Summer Vibes”), Life & Style (“Mother’s Day Gift Guide”), BET.com and Stay Magazine (“Top 20 Beauty Must Have’s”). In addition, the popular ImLovingMe.Net online entrepreneurial hub prominently profiled Ms. Quattlebaum in 5 Ways I Made in the Beauty Industry as a Minority! Her company is also taking great strides forward by proudly sponsoring such signature events as Baltimore Fashion Week, Black Women In Media Awards, Black Media Honors, and cinematic Independent trendsetter Geechee One Films.
Since the brand’s 2018 inception, Natalia Me’Gan has become a household name with its cruelty-free products to fit every budget and vision. Stars seen shaping their exquisite features with Natalia Me’Gan Beauty offerings include Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, Shoshana Bean, Meg Thee Stallion, Naturi Naughton, KJ Smith, Reginae Carter, and Ariadna Gutierrez, known as Miss Columbia 2014, and 2015 Miss Universe runner up. They’ve all chosen this hot new brand when they want to project elegance and spirit on the set, or when they’re just spending the day at home! Recently, Natalia Me’Gan became available globally through the Walmart.com website, meaning borders are no longer an obstacle to beauty.
New York Fashion Week was back in full swing, honoring an epic return back to designer runway shows, showroom presentations and bustling after parties. Harlem Designer Junny Ann Hibbert of the eponymous label JUNNY®, debuted her full Spring/Summer ’22 collection entitled ‘Mama’ at New York Fashion Week on September 11th, as the occasion marked the designer’s first time to ever be featured on the official New York Fashion Week calendar. The womenswear collection was soft, whimsical and fluid, as decadent silk dresses, multi-colored caftans, vibrant capes and gingham, took center stage to a captivated audience.
Robert “Max” Twitty for Showroom Images
Robert “Max” Twitty for Showroom Images
Robert “Max” Twitty for Showroom Images
The collection is named ‘Mama,’ as an homage to the designer’s mother, Alex Melceta Johnson. “My mother will always be my hero,” Junny said. “She was a single mom, and raised 6 children by herself with a little help from her community. As I pondered this Collection — coming out of a global pandemic — most of us are forever changed. We must go on, but differently.” And differently it is. Reminiscent of her mother’s love for nightgowns and slips, the collection features an array of silk dresses and gowns (with a hint of lace) — for a little bit of naughty, with an extra splash of nice, for the ultimate in fashionable wear. Multi-colored caftans, as the Caribbean designer’s signature touch, were expertly styled to drape delicately over the silk pieces — for those daring to wear what was once only intended for the indoors…outside. “Women back then never went outside without a covering over their nightgown,” the designer mused. The JUNNY® SS22 collection now enters to liberate this woman, daring her to be bold, and to change the game.
The collection also features light, durable caftans with exaggerated, billowy sleeves (as a nod to her Caribbean heritage), decadent capes (for the superwoman in all of us), African prints (as another nod to her heritage), gingham sleeves, rompers and multi-dimensional aprons (as an honor to her British Colonial and East Indian Heritage). With a subtle nod to the Harlem Renaissance, the Jamaican designer credits the inspiration of this era as a time marked by culture and invention. “Women never got their shine back then,” Junny added. “Beautiful, intelligent, true Renaissance women. Their joy, their pain, their struggle — I wanted to capture it all.” The designer received a wealth of guests in the showroom for her NYFW SS22 debut appearance including veteran New York stylist and creative director Freddie Lieba, acclaimed illustrator Rebecca Moses (who also designed the JUNNY® NYFW invitation, as well as illustrations for other fashion notables), fashion designer Kimberly Goldson (Project Runway Season 9), and many others.
JUNNY® is a former ESPN sales executive who discovered her passion for designing after getting downsized from her position 6 years ago. Her collections are bold, creatively exuberant, and size-inclusive, drawing on the vibrancy of her Harlem and Jamaican cultural roots. Her collections have often been described as “wearable art.” Inspired by her mother who was a seamstress, JUNNY® has created her own clothing from an early age. JUNNY® also shines a spotlight on not only black designers, but makers and women entrepreneurs who have pivoted from corporate careers in their mid-40’s and beyond, to inspire those to take a leap of faith, follow their passion and unapologetically start something new. More can be seen at www.junny.nyc or by following her on Instagram @iamjhibby.
Just taking a look at this collection – I cannot stop thinking of summertime ice cream flavors. The pop of color that each piece brings is simply beautiful. Once again Fashion Mogul, celebrity stylist, and TV personality Shatava Lindsey continues to outdo herself with a collection full of color, style, and vibes.
OurGlass Custom & Boutique, the trendsetting fashion house that brought you the unforgettable Dripped In Graffiti retinue of transitional wear last fall (as worn by Amara La Negra, the sensational vocalist, actress, dancer, author, and TV host, who starred in VH1’s hit reality series Love And Hip Hop Miami) and the groundbreaking Lace Me Out collection, is embracing summer’s siren call with the undeniably tres chic #PopAVibe collection, which makes its debut this Friday, June 11th! Building on a long string of successes, including editorial shoots in BONHEUR Fashion Magazine, Ultimate Gifts Guides Magazine, Queen Magazine, We Magazine, and ENSPIRE Magazine, this latest release from OurGlass is sure to be seen everywhere! As we eagerly bound forth toward the freedom of post-pandemic life, OurGlass and the #PopAVibe collection, available in most sizes ranging from small to 3x, promises to showcase today’s women in creations that enhance their radiant inner energy and special beauty.
Accomplished fashionista, celebrity stylist, and TV personality Shatava Lindsey, the company’s owner, notes that #PopAVibe continues her design philosophy that every woman’s shape is her own personal “glass”, and OurGlass depicts each wearer’s figure in their own unique, alluring way. OurGlass is the culmination of Shatava Lindsey’s long experience in fashion. Over the years, she has dressed the stars of TV One’s popular Sister Circle talk show, appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Network reality series Ready To Love, and shared her stylistic wisdom on Centric, TV One, and her hometown’s own Good Morning Chattanooga. A self-made entrepreneur, Shatava is also a diligent community citizen, giving back to those in need through her annual Prom Dress Drive, which gifts gently worn prom dresses to young debutantes for whom new dresses are out of reach.
Deean Yeoh is co-founder and CEO of Amour Caché, a new intimate apparel company that seeks to create space for everyone from bralette lovers to breast cancer survivors and beyond. Deean found her passion for customer-centric products while working at a digital marketing agency. Since then she’s found ways to incorporate market research data into Amour Caché’s designs. When she’s not working on new bra designs or scouting for unique fabrics, you’ll find her curled up with a book, writing, or taking 35mm photos. She’s lucky enough to work with her best friend, but in her downtime recoups via solo sports (ballet, boxing, and sailing).
Agnes Zhan is co-founder and CFO of Amour Caché. She previously headed project management at a VR company before founding Amour Caché with her best friend. She is passionate about how technology can streamline and advance “traditional” processes and hopes to incorporate this into Amour Caché’s product development flows in the future. Agnes’s dream is that one day, public perception of intimate apparel will shift to encompass beauty and function — not just one or the other.
Patrice: What motivated/inspired you to start a business?
Amour: We initially planned to create a size-inclusive lingerie company, 30–40 bra bands and XS-2XL bottoms sizes. During the course of our company’s evolution, one of our co-founders discovered she had breast lumps. Soon after, we heard from two other girlfriends who had either just discovered their breast lumps or just gotten biopsied. All these women were below 25. It was kind of existential and made us question “well, what if we did get breast cancer? How would we feel? What would we want? What would help us feel like “ourselves” in a time of distress and uncertainty?” We started speaking to survivors to hear their stories. When we did more research into the intimate apparel space, we discovered that beautiful, luxurious post-mastectomy bras were in short supply. As we continue to develop the brand, we’re realizing the same can be said for many marginalized groups that haven’t been catered to by the traditional lingerie industry. From there, we’re catering to and expanding on inclusivity, which is how Amour Caché was born and continues to grow!
Patrice: What makes you a pretty woman that hustles?
Amour: We both come from entrepreneurial families. As a kid, when you bear witness to the rise, falls, and risks that come with owning your own business you want to run in the opposite direction, but as cliché as it sounds, we are driven by our passion. We both share a deep love for business and fashion. When we saw a gap in the market that we believed we had a solution for, we went for it. Lucky for us, we have very supportive families that pushed us to chase our budding business and friends who tried our products and were convinced we had a future in the industry.
Patrice: What is the name of your business(es) and what are they all about?
Amour: Amour Caché is a new breed of inclusive lingerie where everyone from bralette-lovers to breast cancer survivors and beyond feel seen and catered to unlike ever before. We also have an e-magazine that accompanies our brand called L’AMOURZINE. The e-magazine is our way of featuring individual stories and inspiring conversations around topics like mental health, body diversity, and gender identity — an extension of our brand’s goal of inclusivity. Having a space for discourse and dialogue on a wide range of topics allows us to make space for all the identities we want our brand to reach in the near future.
Patrice: Have you faced any challenges in your business?
Amour: It’s very difficult garnering organic interest in a brand as a small business; we have limited resources to spend on marketing and a limited network to draw from. However, it has made us really creative and scrappy when it comes to making genuine connections with people who believe in our mission and our products. It’s really inspiring to work with like-minded folks who care about the same things we do and share in our love for the power of lingerie.
Patrice: What projects are you currently working on?
Amour: We are currently working on launching our Spring/Summer styles and starting to develop new styles for 2022!
Patrice: How do you face diversity as a woman entrepreneur?
Amour: The lingerie industry is quite heavily women-dominated – at least from our experience. Most designers we’ve met are women and are, therefore, able to address the fit/aesthetic/comfort concerns of women. We find that increasingly, more and more lingerie startups are women-run, which is incredible to see.
Patrice: Is balancing your personal life, work life and business life difficult for you at times?
(Deean) I love painting and photography, it really helps me decompress. I’m lucky to love my job; oftentimes even when I’m “unplugged” I’ll find myself doodling bra designs or hunting for fabrics.
(Agnes) I try to balance myself by going for workouts. It’s hard to think about anything else except the actual weight that is on your body.
Patrice: How does your business differ from other businesses in the same industry?
Amour: Our company is the first lingerie company (that we know of) to cater to women of all walks of life. Alongside our extended size range, we also cater to all types of bodies and needs. Whether it’s breast cancer, maternity bras, or everyday bras – Amour Caché’s goal is to become a new breed of inclusive lingerie that caters to all your needs throughout all your walks of life.
Patrice: What does being an entrepreneur or business owner mean to you?
(Deean) As someone who loves design and tailoring, I started studying which bra cuts fit well, which fabrics were comfortable or scratchy. Being able to fill a gap in the market is really fulfilling. It’s really rewarding to read reviews where people say how much they love the bra / how they’ve been looking for a bra like this and finally found it because of Amour Caché.
(Agnes) Also a desire for control and independence. As an entrepreneur, we wanted to control the decisions made in a company, the income you have, your future. To me, owning your own business is the only way to do that independently.
Patrice: What motivated/inspired you to start a business?
Kate: What motivated me to start my business is the fact that I’ve always wanted something of my own. I wanted to create a platform to not only inspire but also motivate and push true hustlers to exceed their limitations. Starting a business wasn’t about me, but more so about others. Everyone needs inspiration at some point in their life, my business FEEN helps inspire you when you need it most.
When I was younger my father got into a drinking and driving accident, leading him to a coma. Thankfully, he woke up on his birthday. Fortunately for me while my family was going through this tough time I turned to fashion as my outlet. But I was FEEN for more than just fashion. I was a FEEN for my purpose. And I was determined to be more than a fiend for alcohol as my father was. So I changed the narrative. I FEEN for my dreams!! And I created brand that will inspire you too as well.
Patrice: What makes you a pretty woman that hustles?
Kate: Without a doubt I’m a pretty woman that hustles. Humbly speaking, I am good looking on the outside, but I’m more beautiful on the inside which makes me pretty. I embody my brand’s motto, Hustle, Grind, Rewind. Every day I wake up I make it a priority to work towards my business, personal brand, and overall goals. I create opportunities for myself and the people around me. Not only do I create opportunities but I also open doors for myself. I am a true believer that you get what you work for. So I’m striving to work towards everything I want and desire 24/7.
Patrice: What is the name of your business(es) and what are they all about?
Kate: The name of my business is FEEN. FEEN is a premium streetwear brand that caters to women and men. While providing quality streetwear FEEN also provides hope. FEEN pushes their consumer to live by their motto, Hustle, Grind, Rewind and FEEN for their dreams! The fact of the matter is that we all crave and have a desire for something(s). FEEN helps you express your hustle for whatever that may be.
Patrice: Have you faced any challenges in your business?
Kate: Of course I have faced challenges in my business. But, every challenge I have ever faced I’ve overcome through preservation. Any challenge I encounter I take it as a lesson, I learn and grow from it. In the end every challenge it’s all a part of my journey and my story. I am trusting the process through every trial and tribulation.
Patrice: What projects are you’re currently working on?
Kate: Currently I am working on an upcoming collection, a podcast in the making, as well as a huge event I am producing together this summer that will focus on giving creatives like myself a platform that started from the ground up.
Patrice: How do you face diversity as a woman entrepreneur?
Kate: As a powerful female entrepreneur I face diversity by embracing it. I feel powerful when I’m the only woman in the room, because I know I make a difference. Diversity takes you out of your comfort zone, and that’s when you grow the most when you’re uncomfortable.
Patrice: Is balancing your personal life, work life and business life difficult for you at times?
Kate: Honestly, I would say that I balance my personal and business life pretty well. Sometimes it’s a thin line in between the two and as an entrepreneur you may give more to one than the other but life is about finding the balance that’s comfortable to YOU.
Patrice: What does being an entrepreneur or business owner mean to you?
Kate: Being an entrepreneur to me means that I control my own time, financial freedom, and direction of my energy to whatever I please. Having that type of control on your life is a power like no other. Don’t get me wrong, everything in life has its ups and downs, and entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
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