We recently connected with Shari Andrews and have shared our conversation below.

Shari, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s easy to look at a business or industry as an outsider and assume it’s super profitable – but we’ve seen over and over again in our conversation with folks that most industries have factors that make profitability a challenge. What’s biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?

Fashion might look glamorous and like a money-maker, but trust me, there are a lot of behind-the-scenes challenges, especially for small business owners like me with brands like Statement Piece NY.

I started this journey teaching myself about design, fabrics, and colors. The fashion world is big and competitive, with many professionals spending lots of time learning and perfecting their skills.

A big issue in the fashion world is fast fashion, where companies make and sell clothes really quickly and cheaply. This makes it hard for small businesses to compete and be seen.

The competition is intense, and with so many options available for consumers, getting noticed is hard. I’m lucky to have a supportive community that has helped keep my passion and business alive.

Another problem is having to make large quantities of clothes. If they don’t sell, it leads to lots of leftover stock and can be a financial drain, making it hard to make a profit.

I started in fashion by designing men’s tracksuits, and their success motivated me to try something new, so I moved on to women’s outerwear. One of my proudest creations is a unique wool coat that could switch between full length and cropped. It was a hit!

This coat even got me invited to New York Fashion Week! However, the pressure was on, and I felt I needed to come up with an entirely new collection. I decided to go bold, creating modern pieces with a custom tribal pattern. The show went great, but afterward, I was left with a lot of unsold pieces. The investment was huge, and sadly, the profits didn’t match up, which slowed down my progress significantly.

I’ve heard of other designers facing similar challenges. It’s tough, but thanks to the support of my loyal customers, I stayed afloat. I didn’t share my struggles publicly, but I kept my online presence strong, believing it would help me bounce back.

It’s the support and love from our community that keep small designers like me going, in spite of the many challenges we face in this competitive world of fashion.

In essence, while the fashion business has its share of glamour, it’s also riddled with challenges. Fashion is always about learning and adapting and coming up with new ideas. It can be tough, but there’s nothing like the feeling you get when you create something unique, and people really appreciate it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Shari Andrews. You might know me as an Emergency Medicine doctor, but I’m also deeply passionate about the world of fashion, a realm I’ve explored as the founder of Statement Piece NY. I am a first-generation American, proudly tracing my roots back to the Caribbean.

Before my journey through medical school, I explored various passions, modeling being one of the highlights. I cherished the experience, from the transformation through hair and makeup to wearing the unique creations of designers, showcasing their vision on the runway or through photographs felt magical.

Fashion and creation have always been woven into my family’s tapestry. My mother, a talented seamstress, and my grandfather, a tailor, have been significant influences, embedding the art of crafting garments deep within our lineage. Although I didn’t dive into creating myself as a child, the intricate world of fabrics, patterns, and designs has always intrigued me.

This combination of my familial background in fashion and my experiences in modeling nurtured my love for fashion and were instrumental in birthing Statement Piece NY. It’s not merely about creating clothes; it’s about celebrating the legacy of design in my family and the elation I experienced while modeling. Every piece we create is a reflection of individual uniqueness and style, a tribute to my heritage.

My journey into fashion started as a personal endeavor after establishing my medical career. I wanted to do something more, something that resonated with my personal interests, so I decided to dive into the world of fashion, a field I’ve always been passionate about.

I created Statement Piece NY with a vision to celebrate individuality and uniqueness through fashion. It’s a clothing boutique where every piece is a statement, a reflection of one’s personality and style.

I’m self-taught, and my journey in fashion design started with men’s tracksuits, eventually expanding to women’s outerwear, including a revolutionary wool coat that can convert between full length and cropped! It was this innovation that earned me a spot at New York Fashion Week in February 2022, a moment I’m incredibly proud of.

The fashion industry is an exciting yet challenging space, particularly due to the rise of fast fashion and the immense competition it brings. But it’s the supportive community and my loyal customers who have been the backbone of my endeavors, helping me navigate through the tough times.

I believe what sets Statement Piece NY apart is our commitment to originality and quality. In a world cluttered with fast, copied fashion, we strive to bring unique, well-crafted designs that resonate with our customers.

I’m driven by the joy of creating distinctive pieces and seeing the appreciation and love they receive. It’s not just about selling clothes; it’s about offering something special, something that makes people feel unique and confident.

I want potential clients and followers to know that Statement Piece NY is more than just a brand; it’s a celebration of individuality and expression through fashion. It’s about making a statement, being bold, and embracing your style.

Every piece at Statement Piece NY is designed with love and attention to detail, promising quality and uniqueness. I’m here to offer something different, something that stands out and resonates with your personal style, and I’m excited to share my passion and creations with all of you!

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

Getting my designs from paper to product wasn’t a walk in the park! Creating the designs was the fun part, but finding someone to make them? Now, that was a whole other story. A lot of places that make clothes are overseas, and when you’re miles away, it’s hard to make sure everything’s being done right.

I had to send my designs to a bunch of different places and pay for samples to see who could make them the best. After trying out several, I chose the one who really got what I was trying to do and could make it just right. Communication was key, and finding someone who understood my vision was crucial.

I live in New York, the heart of fashion, and I thought finding someone locally would be easy. But, wow, was I wrong! The prices here were way over my budget. I even tried working with a company that could help me talk to local manufacturers, but they wanted me to buy their whole program before we could start working together. I was already full steam ahead and needed to get things moving, so I had to find another way.

So yeah, finding the right person to make my designs was tough, but once I did, things started to flow better. One big lesson I learned was not to make too many pieces at once because if they don’t sell, it’s a real problem. Even one unsold collection can be a big blow if you’re just starting out.

To sum it up, making clothes is about more than just cool designs. It’s about finding the right partners, figuring out how many pieces to make, and keeping an eye on your budget, all to bring your fashion dreams to life.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I’ve faced several moments on my journey that truly tested my resilience. A defining moment was after I showcased a bold and unique collection at New York Fashion Week. I had created modern, distinctive pieces adorned with custom tribal patterns, pouring my creativity and resources into them.

However, after the lights dimmed and the show concluded, I found myself surrounded by a substantial amount of unsold pieces. The invested resources were immense, but the returns were nowhere in sight. It was a significant roadblock, threatening to halt my journey in the intense and competitive world of fashion.

But, creating the collection wasn’t the only big part of it. I had to spend money on so many things – getting the right models, making sure the hair and makeup were on point, not to mention getting professional photographers and videographers to capture it all. So, yeah, it was more than just investing in the fashion; it was a huge capital investment overall.

I had poured so much into this, not just money, but my heart and soul, and the returns were minimal. It felt like I had hit a wall, and it could’ve easily been the end of my journey in the cutthroat world of fashion.

But I wasn’t ready to give up. I took a step back, reflected on everything, and decided to change my game plan. Instead of creating and manufacturing my own designs, I started sourcing already made pieces from other vendors and sold them in my boutique, Statement Piece NY. This way, I could keep offering high-quality, unique pieces without the financial risk and pressure of manufacturing.

I stayed active online, keeping my struggles behind the scenes, believing in my brand, and kept pushing forward. It was tough, but the support from my community and loyal customers meant everything. They were my rock, helping me stay afloat.

This experience was a huge lesson in resilience and adaptation. It taught me the importance of staying strong, being flexible, and finding new ways to overcome obstacles. It’s all about turning challenges into stepping stones and keeping the faith, no matter what.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.statementpieceny.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/statementpieceny
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/statementpieceny
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/statementpieceny/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@statementpieceny/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/statement-piece-ny-brooklyn-2

Image Credits
Timeless Moments NYC Photography, Christopher Anthony, Shane Andrews & Revenge Fashion Magazine.