Meet Anna Metselitsa of Haute Rogue in DTLA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Metselitsa.

Anna, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I dropped out of college and moved to the states as a teenager with $300 in my pocket. I worked as a waitress, hostess for a few years to have ends meet. After saving a bit of money, I decided that I don’t want to work for others anymore and it was time to take control of my own destiny. I wanted to have my own business where I can create a fun and supportive environment for others.

I didn’t know much about business or fashion but I had a passion for it so I went on YouTube and google and taught myself how to code – I created a website and started selling other brands. But when you buy other brands you pretty much buy 6-7 months in advance without knowing whether the styles you buy now would sell later. So I found a factory in China and we started making clothes under our own Haute Rogue label. Small boutiques started reaching out about carrying the line, then we got into Forever 21 Branded shop. Then a year later we had Saks off 5th, Neiman Marcus, Urban Outfitters, and many others as our clients.

Has it been a smooth road?
As an entrepreneur, you learn how to solve problems. Every day is pretty much spent putting out fires or finding better ways of doing things. It’s been challenging from day 1, I had to manage my cash flow as I bootstrapped the company from the very beginning. Hiring people, finding talented people who are committed and loyal. Expanding and growing the business. The list goes on.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Haute Rogue Inc story. Tell us more about the business.
Haute Rogue is a vertically integrated group that creates wearable, durable and versatile designs. Our focus is on producing wearable and timeless styles, offering premium-quality and stylish products at affordable prices. We are a lifestyle brand offering our customers a chance to experiment with fashion through a diverse product range and a sophisticated and unique style.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I see a big tendency for personalized experiences and personalized styles. Millennials don’t want to follow the crowd but rather make styles their own through personalization. I think people will begin to spend more on less meaning buying pieces that last longer instead of buying fast-fashion pieces that only last one season. As consumers are wising up to the negatives of fast fashion, shoppers will focuses on brands that are using sustainable materials and transparent, ethical labor and manufacturing. AI will play big role in designing and merchandising. And it’s already successfully being used in some of the big retail companies.

Pricing:

• Everything is under $100

Contact Info:

• Address: 120 east 8th st
  Los Angeles CA 90014
• Website: www.hauterogue.com
• Phone: 8665855115
• Email: hello@hauterogue.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/hauterogue
• Facebook: facebook.com/hauterogue
• Twitter: twitter.com/hauterogue

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