We were lucky to catch up with Elena Marshall recently and have shared our conversation below.

Elena, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

When I was fifteen years old, the course of my life was changed significantly due to the COVID-19 lockdown. It was during this time that I chose to embrace the challenge of isolation, and dedicate my time to learning a new artistic medium. With the help of my grandmother’s old sewing kit, I began teaching myself how to sew and pattern garments. Throughout my experience in sewing, I began to learn more about the fashion industry, and the importance of sustainability within it. I was heartbroken to hear about the negative impact that fashion has on our planet, and I decided that I wanted to try and make a difference through my creations.
I first began to create garments out of recycled materials when I came across a beautiful ripped bedsheet at my local thrift store. The price was marked down significantly because of the tear, making it nearly unusable for its original purpose. Even though this decision was questioned by even the cashier, I carefully navigated around the damage, creating one of my all time favorite designs. When quarantine was lifted, I wore that exact dress for my senior yearbook photos! Through the positive reactions from my peers, I realized that creating fashion out of donated textiles is something that I could see myself pursuing in the future.
Since this experience, I’ve dedicated a lot of time to educating myself and others on the importance of sustainable fashion. I joined multiple fashion related organizations and clubs, and became an advocate for sustainability related projects. I also began showcasing my work on runways, as it gave me the opportunity to network and grow alongside other local fashion designers and industry professionals.
During my sophomore year of college, I created my very first 10 piece collection, titled “Denim Redesigned”. The collection was made entirely out of denim textile waste, using only material that was recycled, scrapped, or trash-bound. The vast majority of the original material was “seemingly unusable”, with stains or tears that limited the original material’s functionality. This collection was recognized by multiple organizations, including Arizona Fashion Week where I was awarded a student scholarship to present my collection on their professional runway. This marked the beginning of my brand, which is dedicated to spreading awareness about the importance of sustainability within the fashion industry.
With fashion being one of the most damaging industries in the world, I believe that my generation needs to make a significant change with how fashion is sourced. I am incredibly inspired by the industry’s more recent approach in regards to sustainability, and I want to do everything I can to continue to be a part of this positive transition. Creating a world with fashion that is responsibly sourced is something that I want to contribute to in my lifetime. I want to use my passion to break traditional fashion design barriers, and revolutionize the way people view fashion!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

For as long as I can remember, I have always been involved in the arts. My family owned a public art studio that garnered attention from families all around the state. I feel incredibly fortunate to have grown up with that experience, and to have learned creative skills of many different mediums at a younger age. As a child, I wanted to be involved in everything, as it helped me to learn more about myself, and in turn, define myself better.
When quarantine first began, I suddenly lost all of the public creative outlets that I defined myself through. It was during this time that I challenged myself to learn something new, a medium that was not offered in any of my highschool classes. At fifteen years old, I began pattern making and designing my own clothes, starting with the prom dress I would have worn had prom not been canceled. The first few of my dresses were entirely hand sewn, and I loved every minute of creating them. Throughout this time period, I dedicated myself to this craft and improved my self-taught skills. By learning this new medium, I transformed isolation into a period of vibrant, creative growth!
Over quarantine, I also began developing an appreciation for nature and sustainable artwork. I began doing research on the different ways that people were able to turn trash into incredible artworks, and it inspired me significantly. I began to challenge myself by sourcing my materials entirely from donation centers, utilizing used textiles in the form of curtains, bedsheets, and blankets. I even began to wear some of my creations once lockdown was lifted, and the positive reactions from my peers fueled my passion even more. Later that year, I was selected by my school’s news for an article about expanding creativity on campus through sustainable fashion design. Since this experience in high school, and starting college at my local fashion design school, I challenged myself to continue to be an advocate for sustainability within the fashion industry. I became the youngest board member at my college’s largest fashion related club, where I was the director of sustainability. I also began partnering with clubs and other organizations to give speeches on the importance of sustainable fashion, while simultaneously showcasing how I was able to incorporate sustainability into my work.
In March of 2023, I began showcasing my work on runways, as it gave me the opportunity to network and grow alongside other local fashion designers and industry professionals. I completed my first upcycled denim collection, and challenged myself to create unique sustainability related wearable artworks. Recently, I even created multiple dresses that had live plants and greenery growing throughout the fabric! I truly believe that so much of both my personal growth, and brand’s growth is because of the incredible creatives that have believed in me, and encouraged me to pursue my dreams. In the future, I want to continue to create unique sustainable works, and I hope to inspire others to do the same!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Growing up in a creative environment was one of the most defining parts of my childhood. The most rewarding aspect of being constantly surrounded by creativity and artistry is that I am always inspired by other people’s creative visions, ideas, and goals. The vast majority of creative industries rely on collaboration and connections through artists, and I am so proud to be a part of a community that encourages another individual’s growth just as much as one’s own.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

One of the main factors in building my reputation within the fashion design industry has been as simple as consistently showing up to events. When I first began attending fashion related networking events in March of 2023, I made it a personal goal of mine to show up to every single event that I could. I challenged myself by getting out of my comfort zone and introducing myself to everyone in the room by the end of the night. Before long, I began to foster connections within the Arizona fashion community that have significantly impacted the growth of my brand. In an industry that thrives on collaboration and connections, I began to realize that sharing my ideas with other creatives was one of the best ways to grow. By simply showing up, introducing myself, and collaborating with different creatives, I was able to get my start in the industry and begin my brand with the support of other like minded individuals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lenamarsdesign.com/
• Instagram: @LenaMars.Design