We recently connected with Caitlin Fowles and have shared our conversation below.
Caitlin, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.
Something I do differently from Indusrty standard is I work with upcycled materials. Every fabric I use has been secondhand sourced and that has pushed me both as an artist and a designer. I know the material I have is it, there’s no going to the store to get more if I mess up. It’s pushed me to expand in my thinking on how to mix textiles and how to cut pieces while utilizing all of the material I have for minimal waste while also trying to create something unique and fashion forward.
Caitlin, 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!!! I’m Caitlin and I am the owner and creator of Moon Gold Goods a vintage resale and upcycling business. I am from Minneapolis but recently bought some land up north with my 2 kids and partner. I have always had a deep love for vintage and sewing. As someone who frequents thrift stores i was always finding textiles and blankets that I could invision as modern day pieces. After opening up my online vintage shop in 2020 I took the dive as a designer about a year later and started creating on a daily basis starting with quilt coats. Through my work using vintage quilts I starting doing customs for people, having a serious emphasis on size inclusivity and diversity in style and cut. I have since moved on to sets, robes, dressed, shearling belt bags, men’s wear and pajamas. Some problems that can set arise is that I do most of my business online and it leaves the option to try things on in person out. I work with vintage textiles, some of which don’t have any stretch. What I think sets me apart in that element is I give very exact measurements and descriptions and always ask them to send me a message if they have any additional questions leaving the door open for that person to person connection that I don’t think alotnof larger businesses can provide. With me they can actually talk to the person who made it and if there’s a fit issue I’m always down to create something specifically for them in the same style. There are many things that I am proud of! One of the first that comes to mind is that I am self taught. I started by taking items from the thrift store and cutting them apart using them as a rough pattern and discovering how things are pieced together. Most of the time I do not use a pattern, simply a measuring stick and a sewing mannequin. I also was in MN Fashion Week in my first year of designing and my coat was featured in the Star Tribune to advertise the entire event across the cities. My brand has a core focus on sustainability and making clothes for all sizes and types of bodies ✨️
Have you ever had to pivot?
One of the biggest pivots I’ve ever taken was the one I took in order to commit to this business full time. Before Moon Gold Goods I was a server for almost 10 years, I was raising two children spending all day with them while my partner was at work then would head to work at night when he got home. Now that both of my kids were school age going to work as soon as they got home was breaking my heart and I knew something had to change. Taking a leap of faith like quitting your job and committing to your own business can be scary!! But since taking a chance on this vision for betterment of my family and nyself, it’s been nothing but up! and every hurtle has been an amazing lesson that’s kept me inspired to keep going.
Does your business have multiple or supplementary revenue streams (like a ATM machine at a barbershop, etc)?
Yes, there are 2 vintage shop fronts in the Twin Cities (Shop Country Club in St Paul and the Fitting Room in Minneapolis) who sell rotating collections of my handmade pieces. I also sell online from my own website, MoonGoldGoods.com and 8 other online marketplaces and social media platforms. In addition I also sell at vintage markets, pop-ups and fashion shows throughout the year in Minnesota and other surrounding states.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.MoonGoldGoods.com
- Instagram: @MoonGoldGoods
- Facebook: MoonGoldGoods
Image Credits
1. Taken by me 2-5. Tiffany Bolk Photography 6. Sara Lee Photography