Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Anisha Kili & Millie Phung. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Anisha & Millie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

Our brand officially launched in 2017 but we came up with the idea in 2013 while we were in college. The initial idea arose from our love for fashion and trying to find pieces that we loved and were made sustainably. To make this idea a reality, we did enormous amounts of research and focused on all of the foundational business administration work such as creating a business plan, filing for our business license, and finding manufacturers for our first products. The 4 year gap between our idea and actually launching the business gave us time to help the concept mature into what Only is today. One of our biggest challenges when getting our first product sample made was finding the right materials and manufacturers to work with. This was a lot of trial and error but we eventually landed on a company based out of the US that would help us make our vision into a reality.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Only is a contemporary clothing line designed for women and men. Our brand is born from a shared vision of simplicity, aesthetics, function, and sustainability. We were inspired to discover pieces that seamlessly complement other items in our wardrobes, offering a collection that is elevated, unique, and timeless. Our design process is a collaborative journey. We start by pinpointing a theme or idea around which we build our collections. Whether it’s pants, skirts, shirts, or dresses, we sketch our ideas and collaborate on the pieces we love the most. Fabrics and notions play a significant role, and we delve into hundreds of samples to choose materials that make the most sense for each collection. Throughout this process, we prioritize values related to human rights, animal rights, and environmental safety when selecting fabrics, notions, and suppliers.
Once our ideation is complete, we work closely with manufacturers to bring our vision to life. Samples of the pieces are crafted from the chosen fabrics and notions, and we meticulously ensure they are fitted and adjusted for perfection. After final approval, small batches of the items are produced.
Collaborating with small businesses in Seattle is integral to our brand. We work with local photographers, graphic designers, and jewelry designers to capture our collections and create stunning graphics. Our marketing strategies involve utilizing social media, fashion shows, and partnering with Seattle influencers to introduce our collections to a broader audience.
At the heart of Only is a commitment to creating beautiful clothing in the most responsible way possible. Our values revolve around ensuring fair pay and healthy work conditions throughout our supply chain. We carefully assess suppliers for shared values, sourcing materials only from those participating in certification programs such as Fair Trade, GOTS, and BCI. These certifications not only address human rights issues but also contribute to reducing environmental impact.
Manufacturing exclusively within the states is crucial to us, and we regularly visit production sites to ensure our common values are upheld. Prioritizing what’s best for people, the environment, and animals is an ongoing commitment, and we continuously adjust our product development process to reflect these priorities.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Unlearning the thought that everything will go as planned was an essential lesson for us. In the unpredictable landscape of business, agility became our steadfast companion. As we encountered unforeseen challenges, the key was to think creatively and explore alternative solutions. The initial belief in a linear path gave way to an understanding that resilience lies in adapting to unexpected twists. Consistently moving forward became a mantra, even in the face of setbacks. Each obstacle became an opportunity to reassess, recalibrate, and redirect efforts. Embracing the idea that not all paths are predictable, we learned the importance of being open to uncharted routes, discovering that sometimes the detours lead to the most remarkable destinations.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the biggest pivots we had to do was when we first opened our boutique. We were selected as grant winners for a program through the city of Seattle that would allow us to open a storefront in Downtown Seattle for 6 months. As we explored routes to forging a community and building our product line at the same time, we realized it would be a great idea to throw events consistently to get our name out there. Although we’re primarily fashion designers, we had to take on a new role as event planners and everything that goes with position. Pivoting to adding event planning to our repertoire transformed our experience of the boutique in ways we would have never imagined.

Contact Info:

• Website: onlybyam.com
• Instagram: @only_byam
• Facebook: facebook.com/onlybyam
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onlybyam

Image Credits
Jon-David Toves