We were lucky to catch up with Christie Harper recently and have shared our conversation below.
Christie, appreciate you joining us today. One of our favorite things to brainstorm about with friends who’ve built something entrepreneurial is what they would do differently if they were to start over today. Surely, there are things you’ve learned that would allow you to do it over faster, more efficiently. We’d love to hear how you would go about setting things up if you were starting over today, knowing everything that you already know.
Now this is something I ask myself almost everyday. In fact, after reflecting on past decisions I have made and all the mistakes in between, my entire thought process is almost always, “What could I have done differently?” For starters, and this may be a bit obvious, but I would take my time and not be in such a hurry to become an established brand. This is a huge one for me because I have to remember to remind myself sometimes that I am still very new to the fashion design business. The type of success I want simply does not happen overnight. It takes time to establish a reputable brand based on a solid foundation of faith and solid relationships. I didn’t go to anyone’s school for this. Life (including my mom), social media, and You Tube tutorials were my classes. It was through these platforms and opportunities where I have been able to improve my craft.
Everyday I feel as though I am starting over when it comes to designing, pattern making, sewing, and trying to scale up a business with very limited capital. Styles and trends change so frequently. I used to create designs and find models to display them for the viewing public, but that came to be a bit expensive and time consuming when you’re putting up all the capital for the materials, photo shoots, time, and etc. My girls came through for me, modeled their tails off, and I am forever grateful to them for that. However, I had to change it up a bit and focus on getting myself together so that I can be camera ready to rock my own designs frequently so that the people can get the full effect of Purple Orchids Collections custom originals regularly.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I grew up in a two-parent home with my mom, my dad, and my sister in the small city of Macon, GA. Everything was “safe” for me. Every decision made was for the long term and the lasting impact it would have on my life. I chose my 9-5 of being an educator based on that principle. So that’s what I did, something “safe”. It wasn’t until I was preparing for my own wedding where my creative fashion designing juices got back reignited. For the life of me, I could not find the exact bridesmaid dress I was looking for that I had envisioned in my mind. So, I decided to make them myself for my own bridesmaids. And yes, I know what you’re thinking, “What bride makes her bridesmaid’s dresses when there are a million other tasks that need to be completed?” This one! Lol I have been learning, designing, and sewing ever since then.
I pride myself on being a self-taught fashion designer. I have taken lessons from my mom when I was a child, to sewing groups, to sewing tutorials on YouTube. In fact, it was with the help of my mom that I had the pleasure of custom designing and making my high school prom and homecoming parade dresses. I remember it like it was yesterday…my prom gown was complete being white and fully lined with a beautiful beaded applique and individual hand sewn pearls all over the dress. It was complimented with a lined silver bolero in case if it got cool. My homecoming dress was a stunning purple corset gown with individually hand sewn pearls and with ruffles above the cleavage. You couldn’t tell me nothing! Lol Also, when I was on my college dance team, the Albany State Golden Passionettes, I had the pleasure of designing one of our dance team uniforms. My mom was gracious enough to sew them together for us. That was a long time ago, over 20 years now. I can only wonder, “What if?” had I began cultivating my gift/talent then. There’s no telling where Purple Orchids Collections could be by now.
I know that God has a plan for Purple Orchids Collections. When I first began taking sewing more seriously and making it more than just a hobby, I started out with men’s bowties and suspenders. That turned into casual skirts and dresses for the ladies, which led to birthday outfits, pageant dresses, bridesmaid dresses, prom gowns, and ultimately, bridal gowns, which are my absolute favorite! It is my goal to adorn every deserving bride in custom Purple Orchids Collections original designs.
To this day, one design I am proudest of is a wedding gown I recently designed for a beautiful bride, and it came with all the bells and whistles. She basically gave me free reign to work my magic with very few limitations. This is what every designer longs to hear. And that, is what help set me apart from any other designer. My vision and my designs are all original. My clients benefit from hiring me to help create a vision for them that they may otherwise have trouble seeing for themselves. They may come with an idea in mind, or even with another designer’s work at times, but it is my job to help them see their own custom unique design in the end. I know how to give them what they didn’t even know they wanted, and they come out looking and feeling fabulous every time because it is unique to them. The best feeling as a designer is after a customer shares their experience with receiving all the flattering compliments from their custom original design. That is feeling is like no other.
The main thing I want people to know about my brand is that although no one is perfect, and even though I am a self-taught designer, I still take pride in learning all I can to become a better designer than the day before. I don’t mind taking you all on this journey with me. Anyone can look at my previous work and see how far I’ve come from when I first started. You may find several behind-the-scenes/process moments on my various social media accounts, especially on YouTube. My designs and methods get better and better over time because I stay educating myself, which I in turn impart that knowledge to others seeking the same knowledge. “Each one-teach one.” One day, everyone will know the Purple Orchids Collections brand. All it takes is that one shot, and it’s a wrap. Purple Orchids Collections is coming to a location near you soon!
Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?
Let’s talk about the part most shy away from. Let’s get to the money because that’s what people want to know most about when it comes to entrepreneurship. So here’s the tea…I used saved money from my 9-5 to help create Purple Orchids Collections LLC and those sample pieces some of you may have already seen. From the sewing machines to the needles, thread, bias tape, fabric, scissors, and everything else involved in making a custom design, I paid for it with my own coins that I worked hard for and saved. That’s why often times, some may not know I can create various designs because all that material is too expensive to simply use for a sample. Lol For some designs, I have to wait until it’s the real thing because everything I make is pretty much custom made with specific measurements the fabric is cut for. There is no one size fits all in custom. Fashion design is not a cheap hobby/business by any means. When I first started, I had to practice with the more economical fabrics so not to ruin the expensive stuff. And that’s just being real. I am a working mom of 3 and a wife, all while trying to build a business and a brand. I thank God, that every time He blesses me with a new client, that helps to fund Purple Orchids Collections so that I may be able to continue creating original designs that the people love to see.
I hope this helps whomever is reading to know that you do not have to start out big and take out loans to fund your small business initially. Work, prepare, plan, and save your coins! Prioritize, get what you need, and make it work with what you have. If you build it, and build it well with what you have, they will come.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
My resilience is all based on my faith and belief in God that He will make a way out of no way regardless. At the time the pandemic hit, I had the highest number of prom orders I had since I first began taking prom orders some years back. I had been growing and growing my clientele over the years, and I was specifically proud of the prom orders I had received. I just knew that following year was going to be even bigger and better, until Covid hit us in 2019. When I tell you, that moment in time changed all the plans I had for Purple Orchids Collections that following year. Nevertheless, thankfully, I still had my 9-5, so my family and I were good. However, I had to reinvent a few things for Purple Orchids Collections. I started working on a new aspect of my business and began incorporating photography with my custom pieces as Photography By Purple Orchids. After that, we prepared to welcome our new baby boy into the world, all while still trying to rebuild from the pandemic. Ya’ll should have seen me: I was big bellied with swollen ankles waddling all over the floor trying to cut fabric and appliques to fulfill new custom orders. I had to laugh at myself because the show had to go on. Needless to say, my efforts paid off with rebranding Purple Orchids Collections and that promotional time helped to regain the attention of my much appreciated audience. Since then, orders have began picking back up with new, custom bridal designs. I can’t wait to see what all is in store for the next Purple Orchids Collections prom and bridal season. I know it will be a treat.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://purpleorchidscollections.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/purpleorchidscollections
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/purpleorchidscollections
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/PurpleOrchidsCollections
- Other: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/PurpleOrchidsCollections Email: [email protected]
Image Credits
Photography By Purple Orchids: Wedding Jumpsuit Wedding Gown PBS Photography and Media: Logo Pic