We recently connected with Telicia Bunch and have shared our conversation below.

Telicia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

My journey to creating Lorrel stems from over 25 years in the fashion industry, where I’ve witnessed firsthand the negative impact the industry has on the environment and the people who make our garments. The fashion world has convinced us that we need occasion-specific clothing, “a perfect work dress, “a perfect summer dress”, leading to overflowing closets filled with items rarely worn. Capsule wardrobes were supposed to simplify this, but most only offer basic colors and silhouettes meant to layer over these occasion-specific pieces, perpetuating decision fatigue and contributing to the disposability of clothing.
My love for fashion began in my grandmother’s closet. She had an incredible sense of style but didn’t have a lot of money to spend on clothes. Instead, she invested in quality pieces that she could mix and match to create countless unique looks. She was practicing sustainability before it was even a buzzword.
Inspired by her approach and frustrated by the excess in the fashion industry, I decided to create Lorrel, a print-driven, fashion-forward capsule wardrobe that empowers women to get more out of their clothing. Lorrel is about more than just sustainability; it’s about reimagining how we dress, focusing on versatility, and creativity, and breaking free from the endless cycle of occasion-specific shopping.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

After over 25 years in the fashion industry, I’ve seen it all—the glittering runways, the intricate designs, and unfortunately, the stark realities behind the scenes. I’ve witnessed firsthand the poor working conditions in overseas factories and the environmental toll of mass production. These experiences weighed on me, and I knew I wanted to create something different, a brand that respects both the planet and the people who make our garments.
The inspiration for my brand, Lorrel, came from my grandmother, Lorrel Bunch, a woman whose resilience and flair for style left an indelible mark on me. After her divorce, Grandma Lorrel became a single mother raising two boys on her own. In those days, there weren’t many opportunities for Black women, but she managed to secure one of the few jobs available, a bathroom attendant at a high-end dining establishment.
She didn’t stop there. Grandma Lorrel used the power of her impeccable style and determination to climb her way up to waitress. With grit and grace, she saved enough money to buy a home for her family, a remarkable achievement for a Black woman at the time. That house, purchased through sheer tenacity, became a symbol of her strength and resourcefulness. The logo for Lorrel is, in fact, her actual signature from the deed of that home.
I grew up mesmerized by stories of my grandmother and by the way she dressed. Despite limited resources, she had an incredible ability to mix and match pieces, creating unique looks that exuded confidence and elegance. Watching her inspired me to pursue fashion in college, build a career working for iconic brands, and ultimately launch Lorrel.
Lorrel is a sustainable fashion brand that revitalizes the concept of the capsule wardrobe. Every piece in the collection is thoughtfully designed to work together, offering versatility without sacrificing style. My grandmother’s resourceful approach to fashion directly influenced our designs, including a signature piece engineered to be worn front to back, creating two looks in one. Lorrel is all about helping women create multiple, stunning outfits with fewer items, just as my grandmother did.
Launching Lorrel has been my way of honoring my grandmother’s legacy while addressing the issues I’ve seen in the fashion industry. I want to empower women to feel beautiful and confident through the art of dressing while respecting the planet and the incredible people who craft our clothes.

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

One of the most challenging periods of my life became the catalyst for a dream I had been holding onto for years. In March 2020, like so many others, I was furloughed and confined to my small apartment. I was unsure of what was next when my mother suggested something I’d talked about for a long time, starting my own fashion brand. She was right; the timing couldn’t have been better.
As I sat with my thoughts, everything kept coming back to my grandmother. She’s the reason I fell in love with fashion in the first place. I poured myself into the idea, attending webinars about building pitch decks and business plans and learning about financing options for small businesses. When I got stuck, I reached out to former colleagues who believed in me and my vision, and they stepped in to help. By June, I had the name, the concept, sketches, and even manufacturing partners in place.
But just as Lorrel was coming together, my life began to unravel. In July, my mother passed away. Losing her was devastating. For the first time in my life, I felt exposed to the world with no protection. Her encouragement to start this business, though, gave me purpose. It became more than just a dream, it became a promise to her that I would see it through.
That December, I secured funding from an angel investor, a step that made launching my brand possible. But the months that followed were filled with unimaginable loss. My cousin, my aunt, and my uncle all passed away within months of one another. Then, in April, I officially formed my company, only to find out later that same day that one of my closest friends had passed unexpectedly, in a freak accident. A week later, my beloved 15-year-old dog was diagnosed with cancer.
Through it all, I felt like I was standing on sand atop a balloon, struggling to keep my balance. Yet, I kept moving forward. I reminded myself why I started this journey, to honor my grandmother and my mother. Lorrel is more than just a fashion brand; it’s a legacy of strength, resilience, and style, passed down through generations. Despite the hardships, I persevered, and today Lorrel stands as a tribute to the women who inspired me and the values they instilled in me.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

My brand is my passion, but it’s not yet my primary source of income. Over the years, I’ve built a career as a technical designer, working with iconic brands like Gap, J.Crew, Ralph Lauren, and DVF. Through these experiences, I honed my expertise in fit and garment construction, eventually earning the role of Director of Technical Design a decade ago.
While I continue to grow my brand, I’ve chosen to leverage my skills to support other women-owned businesses. As a consultant, I help refine their fit and build their technical design departments, sharing the knowledge I’ve gained to empower others in the industry.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lorrel.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/the.lorrel
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/Hw87iCJ998krZavY/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/telicia-bunch-aa43676

Image Credits

https://www.withlovewithluxe.com/