We recently connected with Stephanie J Reese and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Stephanie J thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea for my business, well the passion that drives my business had to have been birthed in my teen years. I was always heavy and I always wanted to look different. I never wanted to look or dress like anyone else. And unfortunately fashion options were limited when you were the “big kid”. I didn’t want to feel limited in what I could wear or what I was EXPECTED to wear. So I started making my own clothes. Resources growing up were limited so I learned repurposing and upcycling lonnng before it was a thing, lol! By the time I graduated highschool, I had made my mark with developing my own personal style and fashion perspective. I was known for bold colors, statement making accessories and one-of-a-kind custom pieces. Being a plus-sized woman, it made the entire approach bold, aggressive, and evolutionary both then and now!
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
The biggest and most profound lesson I had to unlearn is “No man is an island”. I literally had to start from scratch with no business training, no team of designers and seamtresses, no PR person, no marketing team, just me and a dream. I was never formally trained so alot of my ‘know how” surrounds trial and error…heavy on the errors. No one knew my name ormy mantra in this industry. I had to create my presence.
Have you ever had to pivot?
It was just before Pandemic, I would say 2018. I found myself providing custom statement accessories for designers to be featured as the “icing on the cake” for several local and abroad runway fashion shows. I was always behind the scenes, and not only was I styling runway looks and pairing my accessories, but I also had an up close look into the runway arena and working with top models and designers. I would always have on some of my original designs as well as my custom accessories. Models and designers would always inquire who I was wearing, where did I get that or this, and really were feeling my style. Somuch so until it started to become my thing to be just as dressed or adorned in my pieces as the models I would style. I started garnering clients and offers of collaboration beyond just accessories. Then came pandemic. I was determined to not loose momentum with my brand, so i started designed looks and hand making original designs. I would then go to the park in my area and stage my own photoshoots featuring my new designs. And I kinda just kept going!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: The House of UnKonventional
- Facebook: The House of UnKonventional
Image Credits
Gregory Williams G’s KANdid Photography