We recently connected with Charla Ruschelle and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Charla thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?

I pray my legacy will leave a knowledge of information, confidence and skill that I’ve obtained within the industry of fashion/apparel, visual merchandising, education and the trade-skill of the art of sewing, creating and designing. I’m currently working on building a hub and collaborative effort to put this all into place. I particularly want to ensure that my represenation of being a black woman, whom self-funded her clothing brand and shop, leaves an impact of continued inspiration to the next generation of young, black and brown scholars, whom seek to become great designers, as well as, exceptional business owners on their own terms.

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

I go by Charla Ruschelle, as a fashion designer, which is my first and middle name, as well as, the name of my clothing brand, CR Clothing Co./Charla Ruschelle. Over the last 20 years I’ve garnered a wealth of industry experience from a host of retail instruments. The quick resume, lol, I’ve worked at various retail and apparel giants, which include, WorldCom’s sports marketing division, Van Michael Salon, Ballard Designs, Target, DKNY, The Lucky Brand, Bloomingdales, RocApparel/Rocawear, as well as, Lifted Research Group (LRG clothing company); holding positions as a merchandise buyer, client coordinator, fashion stylist, interior design custom-specialist, soft-lines executive, visual merchandiser and regional merchandising coordinator. I’ve always had my clothing brand throughout these opportunities that provided me with so much knowledge and skill within the fashion/apparel and corporate industry, that would eventually bring me to becoming a full-time Fashion designer of my own brand and a shop owner. Under my parent company, Hazel Eyes Fashion House and Company LLC, it includes my clothing brand, CR Clothing Co./Charla Ruschelle (CRCCo.), my physical shop by appointment, Concoction theWork_Shop, seven years and still up and running! Thankful! The drive and passion to consistently update, educate and provide a top quality handmade, sewn & designed clothing brand, as well as, minor alterations services in the shop, wardrobe consulting, and the all-in-one LUX experience to the business’s distinguished clients’ lifestyle are what all sets the company’s professional knowledge and skills a part from many. The brand is still growing and I’m excited for what 2023 has in store for the company.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best source for new clients that are effective for the brand would be marketplaces and word of mouth. Direct to consumer and personal interation goes a long way. Personable and valuable connections with new clientele in identifying additional needs and wardrobing aesthetics are very important to my creative process and producing of the brands clothing collections. Implementation of these sorts are a win as it speaks to the brand and me as the designer in providing exceptional customer services. “I have my own designer” type vibe, clients feel connected to, and appreciation of the idea of personable touches of inclusiveness of one’s wardrobe being considered.

Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?

I sell on my website at www.crclothingco.com. We are constantly evolving in this e-commerce world of retail, and with that, the brand continues to update the site to be effectively shop friendly. Majority of the business is based off the e-commerce shop. The e-commerce platform did very well during the pandemic, and continues to be a major part of a seller’s and buyers market, as more of new and old clientele have become confident in shopping online, and with an independent clothing brand. Expanding the availablity among other ecommerce platforms is currently in the company’s planning. The only con of ecommerce is the in-person interaction of those who enjoy touching and feeling, as well as, trying on of apparel with that personal assistance of a person to be of service to cater to. I like to think of my brand as “the girl-friend in your closet”, keeping you “Fashionably Fly.”

Contact Info:

• Website: www.crclothingco.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/crcco
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/crclothingco

Image Credits
Charla Ruschelle