Today we’d like to introduce you to Kari Vettese.
Hi Kari, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I got started in the industry at a very young age. At 16, I began interning at a talent agency and was able to learn a lot about the art world in general. I also attended a performing arts school K through 8th grades, where I believe a lot of my interest in the arts was realized. That school gave me my first job in fashion, working alongside our costume designer during middle school. I have always been a drawer and a painter; I’d always have sketches saved up from constantly creating and one day had a conversation with my mom, suggesting to me how these sketches should be brought to life.
After working amongst several people in the industry over the years, I decided to reach out to some with my designs in an effort to bring Marilyn to life. Eventually, local seamstresses helping to sew my creations quickly turned into joining a manufacturer. I named her Marilyn Hatten after the golden-colored bougainvillea flower found mainly in European countries because, as a first-generation American-Italian, I’ve gained a lot of my inspiration from my culture. Creating a brand of inclusivity across many body types and women of various shapes and sizes was really important to me when birthing this clothing line because, like much of the brand, it’s an extension of my life and what I stand for in a lot of ways, including that I’ve always believed our interior is what makes us who we are and I wanted all women to feel beautiful in my creations. There’s something for everyone here. Fast forward to today and I am so proud to announce we are finally made in Los Angeles! Moving my production to the U.S was always a goal of mine, not to mention moving towards sustainability and being a part of a factory that provides a safe and fair workplace for all. As a brand, we are proud to play a role in the movement to a more sustainable fashion industry.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. There are always obstacles to overcome, but I feel that is the most necessary piece because through the struggles, I’ve awaken in great knowledge that our most trivial times are the most wisdom-bearing and the source of fine art pieces in the making. I think I can speak for all of us when I say we’ve all overcome many obstacles from 2020 alone. This was a tricky time for me as a designer because I’d had my second full collection ready to go by the end of 2019 and ready for production in 2020 where I was forced to pause the process due to the coronavirus hitting the world. We were able to pull through regardless, and through the chaos, some really amazing things happened including being able to shift production to the U.S and away from overseas; a goal that I’d had since I began designing. So here we are!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Marilyn Hatten is a women’s ready-to-wear brand located in Los Angeles, California. She’s named after the golden-colored bougainvillea flower that is called Marilyn Hatten, found mainly among European countries. She draws much of her inspiration from my own life and the concept of being one’s own true self. MH is home to the original Women’s interchangeable Pant-to-Short Suits! The brand is known to have some masculine influence on the suit designs, drawn from my first love and best friend of Mexican culture, which inspired the wool-blend fabric; these designs accentuate resilience of the woman of the brand, independence, and the freedom to lead.
The brand is also known for its old classics-inspired pieces, pulling inspiration from the old Hollywood classics like Audrey Hepburn and fellow Italian Sophia Loren and even more recent-history classics like Christy Turlington and Selena Quintanilla.
I think of Marilyn and I as a team. I created her and she’s created my dreams into reality. She draws inspiration from me and I draw inspiration from her. I am also proud to be a woman creating for women, which we need more of in the high fashion industry because I feel there are too many men designing for us women, and they don’t know us like we know us.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
My advice would be to always turn to whomever or whatever truly makes you feel like you are always being challenged to become the best version of yourself that you can be. It’s different for everyone, I believe. A mentor should be someone who truly believes in you like you do. Like I said before, I’ve interned for an agent at a talent agency when I was 16 for a couple of years and I learned a lot there. One of the most important things I learned was, only you can create who you’re becoming. Never let anyone “manage” you or curate you into something you don’t truly believe in. I believe in freedom and I believe in only putting your name to something you honestly connect with. Also, start where you are with what you have; I’ve learned it’s important to grow where you are planted and then you may vine.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Marilynhatten.com
- Instagram: @Marilynhatten
Image Credits:
Jack Guy
