We were lucky to catch up with Paige Barrett recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Paige, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?
I chose the name Barrett Clothing because it’s my last name, and I’ve always felt a deep, personal connection to it. The brand is a reflection of who I am, so it was important that the name captured that same authenticity. From the start, staying true to our core values—especially authenticity—was essential, and using my last name felt like a natural fit. Barrett Clothing was born from my desire to create garments that feel effortless and carry a sense of nostalgia. Growing up by the beach, I always had a go-to piece of clothing in my tote bag, something versatile enough to transition from a long day at the beach to a fun evening out. My goal has always been to create clothing that evokes a sense of ease and fun, and by naming the brand Barrett, I felt it was the perfect way to honor my roots.
Paige, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Paige Barrett, and I am the founder of Barrett Clothing.
Originally from Malibu, CA, I now live in Santa Monica, CA, where I run Barrett Clothing out of my one-bedroom apartment.
Fashion has always been a part of my life. Growing up, my mom and aunt worked in the industry, so I was constantly surrounded by beautiful clothes. In my early teens, I traveled to Italy for fashion and had the opportunity to experience Coterie in New York. At the time, the world of fashion seemed glamorous, and while I loved it, I viewed it more as a passion than a potential career.
After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts, I moved back home and began searching for work. That’s when a longtime friend connected me with Shennel Fuller, the founder of the children’s clothing brand Miles and Milan. I started as her administrative assistant, and she took me under her wing, teaching me everything there is to know about owning and running a fashion brand. I’m so grateful to Shennel for giving me the space to learn and for her patience. As her only employee, I worked side-by-side with her, learning the ins and outs of the industry—developing, producing, marketing, packing, shipping, sourcing—you name it. Watching her work and working closely with her taught me invaluable lessons. She is an absolute badass. I admire her confidence and determination, and I hope I’ve been able to carry a piece of that with me as I build Barrett Clothing.
After a couple of years, I began toying with the idea of creating my own brand. With my ‘if not now, when?’ mindset, I decided to take the leap. Over the next eight months, I focused on developing the business, meeting with manufacturers in LA, and designing the first few pieces. I thought about my favorite garments—the “tried and true” items in my closet—and how they made me feel. When I envisioned the brand, I kept thinking about effortless and timeless pieces—garments that would become someone’s staple. My vision for Barrett Clothing is simple: clothes meant to be worn until they’re worn out.
Quality, sustainability, and ethics have always been at the core of Barrett Clothing’s values. As a mindful consumer, I wanted to create a brand that people could feel proud to support. All of our styles are made from dead stock fabric—unused or leftover fabric from other brands or manufacturers that would otherwise go to waste. This not only helps reduce waste but also makes each piece more unique, as some fabrics are limited in quantity. As a result, some styles are limited edition or may never be restocked in the same fabric, which some of my friends say adds an element of exclusivity.
In addition to using deadstock fabric, all of our styles are produced in small batches, locally in LA. I work with a family-owned cut-and-sew factory in Downtown LA, and I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have met the owner. After working in the industry, I knew how hard it is to find manufacturers willing to produce small quantities, so finding this family-run business was a true blessing.
Looking back, starting Barrett Clothing has been both rewarding and challenging. I’ve met incredible people along the way and have learned something new every single day. The fashion industry is not easy, but I’ve found that keeping a positive attitude and staying true to my vision has helped me get further than I ever imagined. At the end of the day, I want Barrett Clothing to feel effortless and fun—something that translates to everyone who wears it. Barrett still has a long way to go, but I am confident that sticking to the core values that the brand was built on will allow it to continue to evolve.
We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.
As I mentioned earlier, finding the right manufacturer was a game-changer for Barrett Clothing. From the start, I knew I wanted to produce the clothing locally in Los Angeles, but I wasn’t sure where to begin. One of the biggest challenges was finding a manufacturer who could produce small quantities since I couldn’t afford to meet the high minimum order quantities (MOQs) most factories require. My first thought was to reach out to local seamstresses and tailors who might be willing to sew the garments for me. After calling about 25 different people, I realized I needed to find a different solution.
I then reached out to a factory I had worked with in my previous job, asking if they knew anyone in LA who could produce clothing without minimums. Without any guarantee, they connected me with a small family-run cut-and-sew business in Downtown LA. I met with the owners—two sisters—and they were open to producing my first collection with no minimums. I was beyond relieved and excited.
Since then, I’ve been fortunate enough to work with them for every collection. Our relationship has grown into something truly special, and I am incredibly grateful for their support. I honestly don’t think I would’ve been able to start Barrett Clothing without them.
Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?
I’m still learning how to navigate all aspects of running this business, but one thing I’ve discovered is that having an entirely online presence can be a challenge when it comes to building brand loyalty and connecting with customers. When I first started Barrett Clothing, it felt like I was hiding behind a screen. Outside of my close circle of friends and family, no one knew what Barrett Clothing was, and I missed that sense of community. After launching my first collection, one of my goals was to find ways to connect with my customers in person.
That’s when I started hosting pop-up events where people could come try on the clothes, drink wine, meet new friends, and simply enjoy each other’s company in a welcoming space. I promoted these events through newsletters, Instagram, physical flyers, and by directly reaching out to past clients. I usually host these pop-ups at Big Red Sun in Venice, CA, a beautiful 100-year-old bungalow that functions as a landscape design studio, event space, and lifestyle boutique. I’ve had a connection to the space for years, as the owner is a dear friend and my sister works there as the head landscape designer. There’s a unique energy at Big Red Sun that naturally brings people together, which made it the perfect place to cultivate Barrett Clothing’s community.
These in-person gatherings have been incredible, and I truly feel like a family is being built around the brand—exactly what I envisioned. Looking ahead, I hope to bring this energy to more cities and states, hosting pop-ups and connecting with new people to continue growing the Barrett Clothing family.
Personally, since the pandemic, I’ve felt the absence of in-person connection. I finished my last year of college in my childhood bedroom on Zoom, and since then, I’ve realized just how much community and face-to-face interactions have been missing from my life. Although Barrett Clothing operates online, I want it to be more than just a brand—it’s about creating opportunities for people to come together, build relationships, and form lasting connections in the real world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://barrettclothing.com/
- Instagram: @barrettclothing
Image Credits
Flora Jensen
Bridget Danley