Today we’d like to introduce you to Desiree Buchanan.
Hi Desiree, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Comfort and timeless style are everything to me. I created Poplinen to bring more comfort to a woman’s wardrobe through earth-friendly, everyday essentials. Before starting the company, I was cutting my teeth in the magazine world of New York City and managing social media marketing for start-ups including Warby Parker and The Black Tux. During my career journey, I couldn’t find a single brand offering premium, sustainably made clothing that was inclusive and comfortable without compromising on style. As a woman of color, who spent all her 20’s working in editorial and brand marketing, I saw a true business opportunity to launch Poplinen.co in the spring of 2019 as a direct-to-consumer brand dedicated to celebrating women of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds. We’re designing for the future by putting sustainable practices at the top, implementing social good initiatives within our business model, and offering better fitting pieces with extended sizing.
The mission of Poplinen is to be a vehicle for good in the lives of women through education, our product offerings, and give back initiatives that focus on the brand’s three pillars: sustainability, inclusivity and social good. This includes our membership to 1% for the Planet and our give back partnership with Beam where every sale is an opportunity for a customer to choose one of our non-profit partnerships to donate a percentage of their order value in order to raise funds for specific projects and goals we are supporting.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has been rarely smooth, but the struggles are par for the course when starting a company from the ground up. I would say some of the more bigger challenges have been protecting the brand’s identity and values while also allowing the company to evolve as it grows. Also, finding the right vendors, factories and people to partner with who you can really count on to deliver on their services or goods you’re paying for. It’s so important to be able to find those you can really trust and who see your vision and want to support that with you. It can be so costly spinning your wheels trying to get something done if you’re not able to rely on good partners.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Poplinen?
POPLINEN is an inclusive clothing brand for women offering premium, everyday essentials in earth-friendly fabrics, sizes XS-3X made in Los Angeles. I am a WOC and the founder of this company, and POPLINEN is known for being a brand that champions BIPOC and wants to open up more opportunities for future generations of BIPOC in the sustainable fashion space.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
The first fond memory from my childhood that popped up in my mind is going to Disneyland. I was born and raised in the suburbs of Los Angeles, so Disneyland was a once a year summer treat, and it just never disappointed. It’s a special place for me as so much wonder, creativity, and imagination are packed into one theme park. It’s incredible if you think about it. Even as an adult, I am still inspired every time I visit. I remember never being able to sleep the night before going to Disneyland because it was just too exciting. My family would go from the moment the park opened until it closed late that evening, and I’d be so exhausted by sundown, but I just wanted to keep going on rides and didn’t want to miss a thing!
I think what I love most about that memory of being a child at Disneyland is knowing how that experience is shared by so many others. Generations of children from everywhere have been able to visit the theme park and get a similar feeling of fondness or happiness from the experiences Disneyland creates so well, and that is pretty magical.
Pricing:
- $48 for our Jane Hemp Tee
- $44 for our Charlie Bamboo Tank
- $48 for our Charlie Bamboo Running Shorts
- $74 for our Rene Organic Cotton French Terry Sweathshirt
- $68 for our Norma Modal Ribbed Turtleneck
Contact Info:
- Email: desiree@poplinen.co
- Website: poplinen.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poplinen/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/POPLINEN/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/poplinen
Image Credits:
Amber Maalouf Daniel Curran Kate Hollowell
