Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Laurel Whitby.
Vanessa, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Wild + Rae; a brand rooted in authenticity, love, and motherhood.
It is the cultivation of 29 years of hardships, triumphs, and a whole lot of love between my own mother and me, dedicated to my little muse and the light of my life – Harlow Rae.
Wild + Rae is a labor of love for both of us. We are a mother-daughter duo that has been creating together since I was a little girl. I use to pick my own fabrics and designs and have my mom create my visions. Some of which I was able to pass down to my daughter, Harlow. This is where my idea for Wild + Rae was cultivated. Creating timeless heirloom pieces that would be passed down from generation to generation.
Creating something timeless is so important because I want the traditions to continue. My dream is for Harlow’s clothes to be passed down to her own babies, just like some of mine were passed down to her.
The goal was to create something that was more than just another kids-wear line, I wanted to create a bond and connection between a mother and her daughter through design. Wild + Rae has evolved into a high caliber line which now includes women’s, jewelry, vintage, girls, boys, and baby. It’s a whole lot of love wrapped into one brand.
Great, 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?
No matter what, starting a new business is life changing. Being a newly single mom, trying to juggle a job, and chasing my dreams, at times can seem overwhelming. But you just have to go for it. Jump in whole heartily. The fear of failure or being judged can only prevent you from furthering your own goals and happiness.
Please tell us about Wild + Rae.
What sets us apart from other fashion lines is our approach to slow-fashion and high-quality pieces. Having worked in fast-fashion for many years, I have seen the impact on our environment that it has. According to the Institute of Sustainable Communication, “The clothing industry is the second-highest polluter of clean water. Retailers of fast fashion dump toxic chemicals into clean water supplies because clothing production is a land- and water-intensive industry.”
We take a sustainable and ethical approach. We hand make every piece with love and craftsmanship that is impeccable.
We use natural fibers and try to stay with neutral colors with a complimentary touch of color. We specialize in creating timeless ‘Mommy and Me’ clothing and recently jewelry,
We are very excited to be introducing Boy’s Clothing in Spring 2019 in coordinating fabrics!
Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
As women, we all need to support and collaborate with one another rather than work against each other.
“A glowing woman can help other women glow and still be lit.”
Contact Info:
- Website: www.wildandrae.com
- Phone: 949-295-6683
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: wildandrae
- Facebook: Facebook.com/wildandrae
Image Credit:
vanessalaurel
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