Today we’d like to introduce you to Odile Corso.
Hi Odile, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
To be honest, MarVia Square started rather organically. After my stepfather passed away and my mother retired from the motion picture industry, she felt a void of creative emptiness. Nearly 40 years of being one of the greatest costumers every film & television designer wanted to have on their team, to having to adjust to much more time on her hands, while having a deep desire to create. Knitting and crocheting have been incredibly therapeutic for my mother while coping with the loss of her husband and sister, as well as satisfying her creative needs. My mother has quite a collection of yarns, vintage embellishments, including lucite (handbag) handles, and decided to create some crochet bags. She never imagined they would become such a success.
I have met many more women like my mother, who also have creative outlets to help with their stress, anxiety, and depression. Several of them had discovered hidden talents they weren’t even aware they had, and some simply loved to create to help support their charity foundations. A community of creative women began to form. With my background in marketing from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and nearly 40 years of modeling around the world in the fashion industry, I created a platform to showcase these amazing, talented women and their creations. The name, ‘MarVia’, I created with my two daughters’ names: Marlena and Olivia, matched together. They, too, have been an integral part in this beautiful endeavor, which, now, going into our second year, continues to thrive and inspire.
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?
I think it goes without saying that every new business is going to have some obstacles and challenges to get the business off the ground. Creating a website and social media had some struggles and some smooth paths with the rapidly changing technology and AI. One rather big obstacle was getting hacked on our Instagram/Facebook account and losing nearly 3,600 followers we had built up in our first year. I felt sick to my stomach after all the work put into creating this community, to have our social media following stripped away in a matter of minutes. Not receiving any help from Meta in rectifying this matter, we forged forward and started a new IG account: MVSArtisans.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am the creative director and co-founder of MarVia Square, which specializes in original and custom-made designs in jewelry, women’s accessories, home decor, baby/toddler clothing, and kids’ accessories. All products are masterfully handcrafted by artisans of all ages; the youngest is 15, and the oldest, my mother, is 85.
I am most proud of the beautiful work and craftsmanship of MarVia Square’s artisans, along with the camaraderie of women supporting women, the mental health benefits and inspiration of their work, and the great charities they support.
What sets us apart from others is showcasing each artisan, their creations, and celebrating their stories.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Definite shifts in technology and AI will change the outlook of our industry. I see more of the virtual interactive aspect of immersing yourself in the world of e-commerce. We have already designed the look of our European style square with all the artisans’ shops.
As advanced as technology gets, we don’t want to lose sight of the artists and their visions. There is something to be said about old world craftsmanship that people value and will always appreciate.
Sustainability and eco-consciousness is and will continue to be a priority for us and many in our industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.marviasquare.com
- Instagram: @mvsartisans
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574781128779
