We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cicily Swanson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cicily below.

Cicily , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

My mission is to help women to tell their stories and allow them to shine and feel comfortable in their own skin.

I wanted to create a brand that would help women to feel empowered and beautiful!

When I started the brand it was born out of frustration but as I started putting out pieces and gained customer feedback I realized that I was creating “self esteem boosters”!

I was told the clothing made them feel comfortable beautiful and inspired.

Cicily , 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?

My name is Cicily Swanson and I’m the CEO/Designer of cicidionne. We offer bohemian inspired loungewear that tells your stories and allows you to shine!

I started this journey over 5 years ago. Prior to the loungewear I had been creating handcrafted jewelry and accessories from recycled baseball jerseys and old magazine and book articles.

I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design and Marketing and a background in fashion styling. I have always been creative and have always been motivated to create items out of the lack of finding what I wanted in retail stores and apparel showrooms.

A few years after graduating from college I worked freelance as a local wardrobe stylist and as an assistant stylist to celebrity stylists (Tameka Foster, Camille Morrison).
I eventually landed a full time position as a wholesales apparel representative and worked in that industry for over 15 years.

During that time I began to grow frustrated with what was offered in the showrooms and stores. I wanted comfy maxi dresses and tops that had messages that resonated with my southern roots but couldn’t find anything that fit my style or vibe.
2 years later I started my journey in loungewear and created my first dress and series of tops and tees with messaging.

What makes me the most proud is that I realized in the process of creating this line that my pieces were beginning to take a “life” of their own. I’ve had so many of my clients tell me that the clothing has boosted their self esteem and allowed them to feel comfortable in the skin they are in! I’m proud of that!

What started out as me creating pieces out of frustration has turned into a line of pieces that “resonate” and allow women to truly be confident and comfortable in wearing pieces that make them feel beautiful!

The positive messaging allows you to express yourself without saying a word. We create pieces for women to wear throughout her everyday activities and still shine and express herself!

You are allowed to shine and be comfortable effortlessly in my pieces! The feel good fabrics tell your stories through the great quality material and comfortable feel. We aim to make women feel comfortable in who they are and to SHINE in their everyday lives and activities.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I was laid off from my showroom sales representative position right before I went full time with my loungewear brand.

A few weeks after this happened my daughter at the age of three was diagnosed with autism.

It was one of the toughest challenges of my life and still is. My daughters diagnosis made me step up. I realized that this business allowed me the freedom to care for her and help her the therapies and services she needed.

My hope is to inspire someone else who may be facing a similar challenge to continue to push and be the best advocate possible for your child or loved one as well.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been listening to the pain points and “needs” of my clients. They have shared their issues and what items they need and what makes them feel the most confident. I had one of my special clients tell me that my pieces were “self esteem” boosters and that were unique and special editions to her wardrobe.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.cicidionne.com
• Instagram: http://Instagram.com/cicidionne
• Facebook: http://Facebook.com/cicidionne
• Twitter: http://Twitter.com/cicidionne2

Image Credits
Photo Images: Lakilah Thomas