Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Ahrens

Hi Julia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.

I started Miakoda straight out of college. I graduated with a degree in fashion design from Parsons in 2012. At the time, I had recently started practicing yoga and had gone vegan. I was working as a freelancer and intern in the fashion industry and realized that my morals and values did not align with the practices of the traditional fashion industry. I felt so stuck– I was graduating from one of the top design schools, with a degree in something I love, but an industry I couldn’t vibe with. I decided to start Miakoda as a way to have options that diverge from the traditional fashion industry. I wanted to prioritize slowing down, being intentional, and most of all protecting the people who make our clothing, our planet, and to avoid using all animal fibers.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

Definitely not! I have a background in design, so learning to run a business has been a learning curve. I say that I’ve made so many expensive mistakes that the cost would have paid for a business degree as well. All the bumps and curve balls have lead me to where I am today, so I am grateful. I wouldn’t change a thing! From hiring consultants who took advantage of younger Julia, to over producing, to under producing, to messing up orders, things happen and its all apart of our journey. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to trust my gut– if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

I specialize in comfy clothing that’s sustainably and ethically made. As someone living with a chronic illness, being comfy is most important to me. The funny thing is that I realized this long before I was diagnosed. I used to come home from school/work and immediately change into my “comfies.” Being in high jeans, itchy sweaters, uncomfy clothing made me feel cranky and irritable. I never want to make my community and customers feel that way. Designing clothing that make you feel good while making you look good is my speciality. And I love when people remark how comfy my designs are… cherry on top is when they tell me they look cute too!

What matters most to you? Why?

I stumbled over my words when answering this because I want to say– protecting our planet, treating other humans fairly, and protecting animals. All three are so important to me, but I think that boils down to simply doing what’s right and living in accordance to my morals and values. It’s so important to me. We share this planet and it’s our duty to treat our planet and it’s inhabitants with love and respect. It’s baseline for me and it governs everything I do in work and in my personal life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.miakodanewyork.com
• Instagram: @miakodanewyork
• Facebook: @miakodanewyork
• Twitter: not any
• Youtube: @miakodanewyork
• Yelp: not any
• Soundcloud: not any