So I recently did an interview with this fabulous fashion blogger Toni May from Fashion Loving. In the post she wrote, "Melissa had her designs worn by big celebrities like Tyra Banks, Hilary Duff, Faith Evans and Kimora Lee Simmons!" A statement which I also mention in my bio, here and there. Anyways I wanted to share my story behind this statement and a little lesson learned through it all.
Did Tyra Banks, really wear something that I designed? Yes! Was it my own label? No. When I was in my early twenties I was hired as an Assistant Designer at an up and coming clothing line (the name that I will not mention, for legal reasons). Anyways, the position started off pretty basic, with preparing line sheets, over looking samples, etc. Then, with-in a month or two into the position, things began to change. I was still preforming my normal duties but now I was also designing, fabric souring, merchandising, styling, over looking it all basically. All the Owner/ Head designer would really do was approve my work. Yet, it was her company name on the label, not mine. Which, in most cases is understandable in this business (but for the record, all my work...is mine alone. NO ONE else designs my work). Needless to say, I am truly grateful for the opportunity she gave me to run the show.
In the end, after a year with this company I was laid off because they couldn't afford me anymore and hired my intern to take my place. Wrong, yes! So instead taking legal action, I decided to take this as a lesson learned and TAKE CREDIT for my work. So here are a couple of pictures of my work for this company, that I managed to save or get a hold of. Lesson to be learned; don't get taken advantage of and don't take advantage of others.
Sorry the pictures aren't that great.
Busy week ahead for me, hope you are have a fabulous week!
Great post, Melissa -
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that this goes the same for brands like Gap, H&M (the ones that aren't special collaborations), Zara, local Target brands, etc. I mean they are popular brands, but nonetheless, they do have a "designer" or "head designer" behind the brand. Yet, we often forget to see that since we only see the brand on the "surface."
Sometimes I feel that when we get taken advantage of, we tend to go "eye for an eye" but it kind of defeats the purpose to take revenge by taking advantage of another person - in the end, all we do is just perpeutate the problem! I think that by taking the "high" road (like what you did, by taking credit and learning from the experience) can really make you a better person - for the world and society!
- Crystal
By the way, I just noticed you added a "blog roll" and added my site, thank you! : ). A pleasant surprise.
ReplyDeleteCrystal
Thank you Crystal, I totally agree.
ReplyDeleteThat's too bad that you didn't get the original credit, but I still think it's cool that you've had your designs worn by celebrities! And with your new collection coming out, hopefully there'll be more celebrities to dress (and you can take all the credit you want!) :)
ReplyDeleteYou know, I didn't really expect to get credit for my work but I guess what got me is the owner actually publicly claimed it was her work. Her designs, not her designers or team. Anyways, yes here's hoping for some fab press on my new collection! Thanks for reading darlin!
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