We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tiffany Woodruff a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tiffany, thanks for joining us today. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?

In the fashion dimension there has been a rise in fast fashion corporations.

For those of you who do not know, fast fashion is a term meant to define the many unethical means of production of many large fashion corporations today. Selling large amounts of clothing at low prices in extremely short periods of time too.

Brands we all know like SHEIN, H&M, Forever 21, ZARA, Romwe are exploiting and mass producing current fashion trends. However, poaching the consumer in this way comes at a high cost.

With production lines of mostly women working for close to nothing in working conditions that pose a threat to their lives.

Due to this rise in trend, textile waste has now made its way to the worlds #2 highest pollutant, reaching 21 billion pounds of mostly non biodegradable waste. Causing water pollution and increased greenhouse gas emissions. It affects everyone.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Tiff. A while back I exited corporate life into the unknown with a blind faith in my passion for fashion and my mission for change. How this looks for everyone is different. My walk into a world dominated by men and an industry that throughout designer history define sales as success was a trail needing blazing.

But before we get into that, let me share a little backstory. Since I was young I yearned to express myself. Whether it be through singing, dancing, playing instruments, or dressing up, I felt free. Growing up I got to choose between my cousins secondhand clothing or my sisters and on occasion, the thrift store.

Let me tell you, the thrift store always felt like what I imagined walking into a designers store would feel like. Experiencing so many different styles, textures, sizes and from all different time periods, all with a story. I could spend hours in there, letting my imagination and creative juices flow. Learning to cut and mend fabrics to fit me, adding strings to cinch with what I could find in my moms craft closet and walking wherever in it feeling like a boss. My taste was (and still is) loud and spoke for me.

My passion for resourcing secondhand followed me into my adult life, into every city, into every room, always calling on me. I ended up finally buying a sewing machine in 2017, a 1975 singer fashion mate for $25 using my grandmas senior discount at the thrift store. From there it began. Turning curtains into jackets, blankets into sweaters, small projects for myself and friends/family turned into LLC in 2020. Most recently turned into designing for the highest paid independent artist Tech N9ne, rapper X-Raided, musician AY Young and many more. Designing these one of one pieces creates an identity that distinguishes the unique and inspired.

Facing new hurdles and new struggles, I recognized a lot within the fashion industry. One thing is that there is a need for more female voice. And second is the lack of awareness surrounding ethical consumerism. Amongst many others. Which I use my faith to take on, with Thriftedtiff. To show that innovators can create a space in fashion with impact at the forefront of their mind.

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

How I got my designs in front of Tech N9ne was quite the journey.

When I first came back from the West Coast last year, I got a notification for his show at the Arvest Bank. I immediately knew what I was being called to do. I had dreamt of designing pieces for Tech and Strange Music for a long time. I only had two days before the show but I wanted to make a shirt to gift him that was fully customized, just for him.

I found an old tour shirt from the early 2000’s and hand bleach painted, created custom vinyl graphics and designs and made it just in time.

As I walked up to the meet and greet I was so nervous, but when the time came to shake his hand and after when he tried to sign the shirt I was giving to him I stopped him and said no, this is for you. Just wanted to say thank you for all you’ve done for our city. He was speechless. Then thanked me in his all so humbling demeanor.

And within only about 5 months time, I was on set styling music videos at Strange Music. Living out your dreams is real.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

Teaching myself to sew was the most sure way I could truly create a voice from the production and manufacturing standpoint.

I wanted the ability to be hands on in every aspect of production. Also needing to learn what hurdles a secondhand operation might comes across.

Leading me to learn embroidery, heat press, appliqué and many more customization skills. From the process of sourcing, deconstruction and upcycling I do it all myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.thriftedtiff.com
• Instagram: @thriftedtiff
• Facebook: @thriftedtiff
• Linkedin: @thriftedtiff
• Twitter: @thriftedtiff