Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Anna Slevin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Anna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I have been sewing and designing since I was really young, probably around age 6, and I sort of always knew I wanted to have my own line. I grew up in a huge family, so I had a lot of hand-me-downs from my older sisters that I reworked to make into my own style. We also did not have a lot of clothing stores in my hometown, so shopping was incredibly limited. Being able to express myself through my personal style has always been really important to me, so learning to make my own clothes just became a necessity, particularly as I got into high school. After studying business in undergrad, I gained some work experience in finance and with a few different fashion brands. I eventually started ASc in the late summer of 2014. I wanted to keep my product offering small to start, so I started out with a line of wearable, well-designed basics and built from there. Working in the industry, I realized how much waste can happen in the design process, so I chose to do so much of everything myself. I still do. I also was not totally sure who to trust when it came to ethical production, so I figured I would just start making small quantities myself to start, which also helped keep waste down, so it was a win-win. I have always felt that creating art is a privilege and should not be at the expense of natural or human resources, so I made sure to establish a brand with well-defined values from the outset. I knew my aesthetic and the message I wanted to convey, which has really been the driving force since the beginning.

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

My name is Anna Slevin, and I am a fashion designer for my independent, hybrid clothing label: ASc (Anna Slevin Collection), which combines art-based, high-fashion silhouettes with a versatile, sportswear edge. I have a ton of interests—I like sports, travel, language, cooking; the list goes on, but art and fashion are among my strongest interests. I love the freedom in self-expression with clothing and being able to wear the art that I make. I have a passion for producing art in a responsible way, and these fundamental values have always been at the core of ASc. My brand is ethically-made and sustainably-minded, and I am always looking for new ways to minimize my footprint, which has been a primary focus since the inception. I am fortunate to have found ways that align with my values, including some awesome compostable packaging, recycled labels, and even some recycled and organic fabrics. I feel that it is our responsibility to be respectful of all of the resources available to us, so I really focus on making clothes that last and that can be styled in a variety of ways. I love getting out in the outdoors with family and friends; nature is some of the best inspiration for new designs!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

When I worked for other clothing brands, the industry was very different. Most industries evolve and change over time, and fashion is no different. This was just at the beginning of social media, and it did not really play a major part in the strategy of many companies at the time. When I eventually started my brand, social media had become integral. This impacted everything from marketing to product launches. It took me a minute to understand the impact on the cadence of product launches, and the “fashion calendar” as the world knew it was up for change. My first collection or two were complete collections, launched a season early, doing markets, with a focus on getting into stores. Social media was a major catalyst to facilitating the direct-to-consumer model and launching individual pieces in-season as immediates to stores. The industry has changed in countless ways over the last nearly 10 years of my business, and I had to unlearn the importance of some of that early conventional understanding, and really be open to quick pivoting and seeing new opportunities. 

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I know you asked for one, but there are two things that come immediately to mind. Being able to see the happiness on people’s faces when they wear my pieces is one of the best feelings. Some clients share photos, and you can just tell how happy they are with the way they look. We all know that they way you dress can impact your entire mood and outlook on life. Secondly, being able to create exactly what I want to wear is a fulfilling feeling for me, and is incredibly rewarding. Self-expression is really important, and I love the freedom in being able to do that for myself and also providing that opportunity for other people.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://annaslevin.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annaslevincollection/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ANNASLEVINCollection/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ascannaslevincollection
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/annaslevincolle/