We were lucky to catch up with Calisha Johnson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Calisha , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s easy to look at a business or industry as an outsider and assume it’s super profitable – but we’ve seen over and over again in our conversation with folks that most industries have factors that make profitability a challenge. What’s biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?
Respect the Sewist.
That’s my motto. It took me awhile to gain the respect for myself as a seamstress. With that I had to create a business mindset that garnered respect. When I say respect I mean we have to respect the time it takes with textile craftsmenship. The ability to manipulate fabric should not be rushed especially for a novice.
Most consumers will struggle with understanding the cost and time takes to produce one garment.
You cannot low ball yourself.
Realize that your designing and sewing time is very, very valuable and your skill is rare.
I have learned to price wisely and sew timely. I raise my prices and I may not sell that week, but that is ok. This very well made garment will not sell for less, if I want to compete and make a profit in the fashion industry.
Machinery is a big issue as well. If we had proper machinery. We would be able to provide high quality finishes such as manufactures outside of the US. Even binding an edge can be done faster with the right equipment. Thus enabling a sewist/designer to produce high quality garments at a faster rate to make a small business fashion designer more profitable. This is not to join the industry of fast fashion which I have no desire. High quality fabric has to come back to Kansas City.
Thank you.
Calisha Monique
Designer
Calisha , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Hello, My Name Is CALISHA Monique JOHNSON AND I AM OWNER AND OPERATOR OF
CALISHA’SCLO7HINGCOMPANYLLC.
I started my business in 2009 under.
I am a native of KANSAS CITY MISSOURI. I GREW UP ON 4TH & highland right here near the HISTORICAL JAZZ DISTICT. I am proud to be from Kansas City, Missouri and proud to have chosen KCMO as my fashion headquarters.
I have always been an artist. drawing at the age of 2 and sewing by the age of 9.
I started out cutting my mother’s old pillowcases and making clothes for my barbie dolls one of the reasons was because I was tired of barbie’s pink apparel and glitter was everywhere, so I thought I am going to make barbie and the rockers some new clothes.
I did not have a favorite color growing up so I find it ironic that I now gravitate to pink. I am a native of KANSAS CITY MISSOURI. I GREW UP ON 4TH & highland right here near the HISTORICAL JAZZ DISTICT. I am proud to be from Kansas City, Missouri and proud to have chosen KCMO as my fashion and essentials provisional headquarters.
I have always been an artist. drawing at the age of 2 and sewing by the age of 9.
I started out cutting my mother’s old pillowcases and making clothes for my barbie dolls one of the reasons was because I was tired of barbie’s pink apparel and glitter was everywhere, so I thought I am going to make barbie and the rockers some new clothes.
I did not have a favorite color growing up so I find it ironic that I now gravitate to pink.
Calisha’s Clo7hing Company LLC is a dynamic, thoughtful, creative, emerging retail concept that designs, recycles, manufactures, and markets its own apparel products Calisha Monique.
My alterations clients know me well.
I come through in emergencies.
When garments are not serving their intended purpose. I provided an alteration service to fix the needs of our clients.
We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.
I manufacture my own products. I have outsourced a few designs to be cut and sewn. That is not a decision that I make often. I love to make and create in house. I have found that some manufacturers will ask me for advice on how to make a product better and that is simply not my job. I find it easier to make it myself because I can avails disappointment that way. They don’t always get it right and it can be a waste of your money. Some designers get lucky when they outsource some do not. If you’re serious do your research.
Manufacturing a product takes time from concept to execution.
Fit matters, so I take my time to get it right.
We are not fast fashion.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Sewing skills are rare. Most of my clientele are from word of mouth.
The other is social media. I am known for mending apparel,
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.calishacouture.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calishacoutureboutique?igsh=MTN1a3dpejdzdHdndw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: Calisha Couture
Image Credits
Photographer Jerome W. Hutchinson Sr.