Today we’d like to introduce you to Dechel Mckillian.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was on track to becoming a pediatrician for most of my life. After graduating from UCLA with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychobiology, I decided to take a much-needed break before applying to medical school. During my time off, I worked for a clothing boutique and then moved onto an assistant buying position at Planet Funk. I took a Fashion Merchandising course at El Camino Community College to enhance my knowledge of the fashion industry as I became more and more curious. My professor also taught at Cal State Northridge and offered me an incredible opportunity to go on a European Fashion Tour with their Fashion Design and Merchandising students. Europe was a game changer and gave me so much insight into the fashion industry and how it operated.
After returning from overseas, I met celebrity costume designer Marco Morante and collaborated on costumes for chart-topping artists such as Lil Wayne and The Black Eyed Peas. Taking my stylist position on the road, I got the chance to travel the world going on tour with the aforementioned, refining my craft and immersing myself in the life and fashion of the cultures I was exposed to.
I quickly built a roster of celebrity clients including Fergie, Drake, Nicki Minaj, The Black Eyed Peas and Lionel Richie, However, after seeing firsthand the negative impact that the fashion industry has on people and the planet, and becoming a conscious consumer myself, I decided to explore how I could make a change. I founded GALERIE.LA with the mission to bring socially conscious fashion to the masses.
As current fashion leaders focus on transitioning the industry from one that sells primarily fast fashion to one that encourages sustainable practices, GALERIE.LA takes the initiative to curate styles from brands while simultaneously ensuring transparency and sustainable education. There is no fast fix to the fast fashion phenomenon, but much like the choices made when it comes to buying local and organic food, many consumers want to make the same educated decisions when it comes to fashion.
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?
As the sole founder of GALERIE.LA, I have developed every single step of the platform with one concept in mind: fashion with integrity. From hand-selecting our designers to graphic/web design, model casting, and photoshoot production, I’ve been committed to my vision of bringing sustainable fashion to the masses. I’m driven to create a positive change within the Fashion industry by adhering to our core business values: Social and Environmental Responsiveness, Challenging Conventional Aesthetics, A Transparent Supply Chain, and Personalized Customer Relationship. The world needs more stores like GALERIE.LA that combines a great user experience with luxury fashion and brand transparency. As a social entrepreneur and sustainable living advocate, I know how important it is for GALERIE.LA to exist and it’s what I love!
The biggest hurdle for having a vision so big in an emerging market like sustainable fashion is funding to launch the next stage of growth. The technology investment space, in general, is dominated by white males 40+ that are dictating which women-founded companies offering products are services for women get funding. Adding being a black woman into some of the (no) decision making for funding as well. Only 0.2% of VC funding goes to women of color. I hope that through these conversations the landscape for funding opens u for more women to get their businesses off the ground to serve a diverse group of people, especially those with great impact.
Please tell us about GALERIE.LA.
GALERIE.LA is a one-stop shop for socially conscious women both online and at our retail location at ROW DTLA. The online store takes the confusion out of shopping sustainably by offering a curated selection of garments from contemporary fashion brands who focus on artisan, eco-friendly, ethical, local, recycled and vegan production methods. Customers can easily shop their values using a sustainable badge system to influence buying decisions without sacrificing their personal style.
As the current fashion system transitions from “fast fashion” to one that encourages sustainable practices, GALERIE.LA takes the initiative to ensure brand transparency. GALERIE.LA discloses where every item in the store is made and the materials it is made from. Creative Director, Dechel Mckillian fuses her stylist eye and unique personal style to scout the most intriguing sustainable fashion brands worldwide. Each piece hand-selected based upon its quality of design and production following a sustainable strategy.
GALERIE.LA is the first fashion technology company of its kind. By making green a bonus, not a focus we can provide customers with the best selection of sustainable fashion. Since social responsibility is at the core of the platform customers feel good knowing that they are making a difference and their dollars are going to a worthy cause.
Fashion is the world’s second most polluting industry. We can no longer turn a blind eye to this fact anymore. GALERIE.LA encourages customers to consider buying less but better to initiate a much-needed dialogue for change. Our customers trust that our products are made right and created ethically. The value badge system ensures that garments go beyond style and embody ethics.
Because fast fashion is so easily accessible, we cater to women who are looking for a rich brand experience. Our key customers seek style with substance and want to know the story behind their products. In today’s oversaturated retail landscape, our customers have a greater appreciation of fine craftsmanship. They want to shop ethically but don’t have to the time to do all of the research. They rely on a one-stop shop like GALERIE.LA to discover new brands and products that support communities and hardworking artisans.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My mom is an adventurer and often times she’d pack me up in the middle of the night to wake up somewhere completely different. We had many road trips to San Francisco, San Diego and so many more. These travel experiences as a child have added to my nomadic personality that I experience as an adult. Even as a child, I often had the itch to travel and be around new people and experience new things.
Pricing:
- Vintage $25-100
- Emerging Brands $40-300
Contact Info:
- Address: GALERIE.LA Shop
ROW DTLA 767 S Alameda St. #192 LA 90021 - Website: www.galerie.la
- Phone: 212-372-5680
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: instagram.com/galeriela
- Facebook: facebook.com/galerielashop
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/galerielashop
Image Credit:
Katie Gibbs Photo (www.katiegibbsphoto.com)
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