Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Whitby.
Hi Vanessa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Wild + Rae started when my daughter Harlow Rae was just a baby. What started as a small Etsy shop has evolved into so much more. Today, we have grown into a fun brand filled with lots of colors, sparkles, and tulle! My original vision was to have everything be neutrals and boy, was I wrong. Little Miss Harlow Rae came out with a whole lot of personality and did not want to be boxed into neutrals. She wanted to wear pink princess dresses and sparkles! They are only young for so long, and I want to let her personality shine through with what she wears!
Today Harlow helps with the whole process of Wild + Rae. From fabric sourcing to color swatches to design ideas. Watching her create something from her imagination and see it come to life gives her so much confidence. She is proud of what I do and loves to tell everyone, “This is from my mom’s brand, Wild + Rae!!!”
My vision for Wild + Rae is to create a whimsical space for little girls. I love that our brand makes getting dressed fun, allows confidence to bloom, and sparks magic in their imagination.
Our goal is to weave happiness and imagination into every design, making our brand a cherished part of childhood memories.
Harlow is my inspiration; my muse. She is my heart, my soul and everything that I do is for her.
As a single mom, I hope she learns that women are capable, brilliant, and can do anything. So, I would like to thank you for being a part of this with us and helping me teach her that dreams don’t just come true in fairy tales.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been many ups and downs along the way. This has been a long journey to get to where we are today. As the sole provider for Harlow, one of the biggest challenges has been balancing solo parenthood, multiple jobs, and my time with Harlow. Having Harlow so involved with everything has bridged that gap and instilled so many good qualities within Harlow. She is confident in herself, knows her opinion is valued, and she sees me working hard, which I hope that will instill a good work ethic in her in the future.
Another challenge I have faced was really finding my brand voice and my niche. I wanted to create something unique and special, and our signature COWGIRL BOOTS ARE IT! I came up with the idea because Harlow always wore cowboy boots, but we couldn’t find any that were comfortable for her to wear all day. I created these boots with a soft cushiony insole with a bit of arch support, similar to those in an athletic shoe. The outsole is flexible and soft so they can really play in them. These boots have sparked new creativity for me in my brand and finally gave me the vision and missing puzzle piece to my business.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Wild + Rae is where imagination and style playfully merge to bring joy to every little girl’s wardrobe. We’re a burst of color, a touch of sparkle, and a whole lot of fun, transforming everyday dressing into an exciting adventure. From our signature cushioned cowgirl boots to our sparkling tulles and fun designs, making every girl feel like the star of her own story – because at Wild + Rae, every day is an opportunity to shine!
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I always dreamed of having my own clothing brand. My mom was a fashion designer, and I grew up watching her make clothes. As I got older, I started helping her with the design process. I remember designing a shirt for her in 5th grade and watching her bring it to life was the coolest experience for me. I think that was a core memory that shaped my dreams of today.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.wildandrae.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildandrae/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildandrae/
Image Credits
Jenna Norman Photography
Chelsea Maras Photography
Jessica Lynn Photography
