Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Molly Smith. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Molly , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
Altrd is hardly the first iteration of my creative side hustle but it’s the version most rooted in community. In the past, the focus was on financial gain, and this time around it’s so much more about creating space. Creating space for my creative self and creating space for my maker friends to come together. I’ve always been willing to mend my friends’ clothing but I don’t know that they even knew to ask- creating Altrd was really just another way to care for the people in my orbit. And quickly, it seemed like a lot of the people I was connecting with were interested in learning how to do these things for themselves. Sharing my skills and knowledge through the workshops I’ve been offering since the beginning of 2024 has been such a joy. It’s a new way of sharing my energy and showing love to the people of Providence.
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?
Oh gosh- I’ve been knitting and sewing and embroidering since I was a kid. I’ve always been drawn to fiber arts, the capabilities of taking relatively 2D materials and turning them into something 3D, something functional and beautiful, I mean, I’m still just so amazed by it. The way we shape our identity with our sense of style is so powerful, to be able to adapt and control that is personal freedom and power. That’s what I want to help my community to do- live their truest selves right out in the open, whatever that looks like. By offering mending and alteration services as well as monthly sustainable clothing workshops, I’m helping my neighbors feel good in their bodies, make their favorite clothes last longer (and keep them out of the landfill), as well as giving them the tools to do these things for themselves if they want! It’s been a beautiful thing to see grow.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Celebrating all individuality. The fast fashion world is so trendy by nature and I think that developing your own sense of style and wearing clothes that really fit YOUR body is ultimately just like any search for a sense of self. And being able to identify and shape that is so empowering. Be boldly You.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: altrd.by.molly