We were lucky to catch up with Ciarra F. Wimbley recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Ciarra thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
The world can be a cruel place full of critical people telling you why you aren’t good enough to “belong”. Saint Clair was created to do the exact opposite. As a model who can expertly hide their physical imperfections, I became my own ambassador who continuously shows our community my flaws so they’ll feel comfortable doing the same. Our resort wear, hair extensions, and press on nails are designed to enhance your natural beauty but Saint Clair’s primary goal is to be an inclusive, body positive brand who desperately urges our community to discover their insecurities and use it as their unique superpower. Once I started openly sharing my flaws, I had sooo many people telling me how they had the desire to do the same. That’s how I knew I was on the right path.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Growing up in Cleveland on Saint Clair Ave., amidst the challenges of a rough neighborhood, I learned the art of adaptation and resilience at a young age. Despite my house being in the hood, I felt like I had the best childhood because my home was full of love, laughter and structure. As an adult, I learned to effortlessly “code-switch” so I could blend in with my neighborhood friends just as well as a Fortune 500 CEO. When I faced the dreaded question: “Where are you from?” I quickly learned to deflect, fearing judgment and being looked at as inadequate.
However, the insecurity of being a kid from the hood slowly transitioned into becoming my reason. My reason to excel by graduating high school at 16. Demanding excellence from myself was a consistent thread I wove throughout my life. Despite being considered too short, too black, and not having the perfect model body, I burst onto the scene of the not-so-inclusive world of modeling. Becoming an agency-represented model and booking national ads with mega brands like As I Am and McDonald’s while gracing runways all over the country was no easy feat, but I made it happen.
Now, ten years after my first magazine appearance, I’m taking the fashion industry by storm in a different way. Saint Clair was created for many reasons, but its purpose is a battle song to remind the world of the greats who shouldn’t exist because society tells them they can’t; there’s no space for them. We tell them that we are HERE and we’ll create it ourselves. Not only did I create an inclusive, one stop shop for women on vacation, I created a community designed to embrace our flaws and transform them into our unique strengths. That’s what I’m most proud of.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to stop shrinking myself for the comfort of others. I learned that I had to unapologetically proclaim who I am with my chest and stand on that “ten does down”! I was so embarrassed to tell people where I grew up that I carefully avoided the question. I would get anxiety and clam up. I felt unworthy and out of place in affluent settings. However, I realized that’s not fair to your current status or your legacy. I’m 100% confident that my “hood” helped shape me into the person I became. Your past doesn’t dictate your future. No one can tell you your story. That’s for you to decide. I’ve decided to be great and to be kind.
Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?
Ok so I hate when brands try to convince me to purchase their product so I have a very unconventional way to sell our items. I’m sure it’s to my detriment, BUT I talk to people like people! I’m always traveling, so I frequently compliment strangers and strangers compliment something I’m wearing (either press on nails, hair extensions or resort wear) then boom, we’re besties!
There was one time in particular in Chicago where I met this dope young lady at Starbucks who loved my less on nails. We get to talking and she bought a pair of nails immediately for her trip to London. Yall, I literally almost cried! That might not be a big deal to most, but the fact that she brought a piece of me with her to London was HUGE! We’re still social media besties to this day.
Contact Info:
- Website: Saintclairlove.com
- Instagram: Saintclairlove
- Facebook: Saint Clair Love
Image Credits
John Wirasnik