Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsey Garner.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kelsey. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started costuming and styling for music videos for local bands around Phoenix in 2011. In the fall of 2014, I released my first full women’s and men’s collection. In the fall of 2015, I released my first full kid’s collection. I stopped creating men’s collections in 2017 due to not having enough time for all three collections.
Since then, I have gotten my collections into 3 stores. My kid’s pieces are in Modern Milk and Ruby Mint General and my women’s pieces are in A Market Off Mill. I do pop-up’s and handmade markets all throughout the year.
To this day, I am still a one-woman show. I do the designing, pattern making, fabric choosing, sewing, styling shoots, and marketing. I am a no mass production company, everything is handmade to order.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It’s honestly been both! I believe you have to put a lot of hard work into your dream in order to make it happen. It won’t happen for you.
The biggest road block for me has been having enough time and money to create and push my brand. Being a one woman show means everything is up to me. I would likely have collections out more often if I had help, but it is hard to be able to afford the help and still turn a profit.
My best advice is to just start. It is intimidating to think about all of the money and time that has to go into it, and if you only think of that then you will never start. Just start working your dream and putting it out there. Then figure it out from there. You don’t need a business plan, just a dream, and perseverance.
We’d love to hear more about K.S. Garner.
I specialize in women’s and children’s clothing. I’m known for my bohemian vibes and 70’s inspired clothing. As a brand, I am proud that I offer sizes XXS-2X. Most women’s clothing companies only offer an XS-XL. K.S. Garner is a brand for all bodies because all bodies are beautiful.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
Going to fashion meet-ups, photo shoots, and connecting on Instagram have been the most useful tools and I think those can be helpful to others. Join Angela Johnson’s email list, she owns F.A.B.R.I.C and she knows all of the fashion events that happen around the valley.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ksgarner.com
- Phone: 801-688-4466
- Email: ksgarnerclothing@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ksgarner/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ksgarnerdesign/
Image Credit:
Kelsey Garner, Taylor May, Jess Blackburn, Madeline Schaffner, Alexis Kim, Alexia, Ocean Allen, Kylla Adcock, Claudia Vidaurri, Claudia Belen, Sydney Allendorf, Kelsey Loren Van Soest, Valerie Loo, Sabrea Phenix, Emily Ward, Nikitha Lokareddy, Marisa Silva
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