We were lucky to catch up with Carlee Green-Goff recently and have shared our conversation below.
Carlee, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about how you identified some of your key partners/vendors and how you made those relationships work?
Finding vendors is genuinely my favorite part of the process. I love meeting people who are also excited about making good products.
When looking for a new vendor, I always look for two things: 1. Do they treat their workers (sewers, jewelry makers, manufacturers) well? and 2. Will they take care of our product? Usually, if the first answer is yes, then the second follows. If these two things are true, we can make quality products for the consumer and do it with integrity.
I especially love working with seamstresses and other makers. The most fun part of my job is showing them a sketch and brainstorming how to make it into a physical product. I love discussing every last detail: buttons, finishes, seams, etc.
The best way to meet these people is to do lots of research and meet as many people in person as you can (trade shows, visiting factories, general networking, etc.). My best vendor partners are the ones local to me who I can visit and talk to during the production process.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Carlee Green-Goff, and I’m a freelance fashion & product designer based in London who focuses on helping clients develop their ideas from conception to production. I started my journey by studying Apparel Design and Product Development at Baylor University. My main focus during my studies centered on sustainable efforts such as ethical production and textile waste reduction.
After graduation, I was dying to be in New York! I moved and immediately started working in high fashion. While the clothes we made were beautiful, I realized that it wasn’t really my scene. After a couple more stints in fashion, the pandemic hit and ravaged the fashion scene in New York. I was unsure what to do but decided to use my skills and start freelancing for companies more aligned with my interests. Since then, I’ve expanded beyond fashion. I’ve been able to produce loungewear, fine jewelry, bedding, bags, and even dog products. I’ve also been able to focus on personal projects, such as designing coats made out of reclaimed material.
My husband and I just made a big move to London, where I’m learning to build my clientele here. I’m having so much fun traveling and experiencing a new culture.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
As it was for everyone, the pandemic sent shockwaves through the early stages of my career. Most New York fashion brands had either closed or were moving their production overseas. I found myself in an extremely tough situation. This seemingly negative thing opened the door for me to explore different industries outside my normal perspective. By leaving fashion and taking on a more freelance approach, I decided to bet on myself, which has paid off immensely. I learned through this challenging season to always keep an open mind and be willing to accept help from whichever angle it might be coming from.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
1. Consume less: I want to lead by example in being conscientious about what we buy and why we buy it. There is too much stuff in the world, and we could all learn to live with a lot less. 2. Make good products: We are all makers in our own right. So when you do make something, make it honorable, beautiful, and well.
Contact Info:
- Website: carleegreengoff.com
- Instagram: @carleegreengoff
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carleegreen/