Today we’d like to introduce you to Reina Acab.
Hi Reina, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Wow! How long do you have? Haha. The story of même. begins with us, my partner Anthony and I, shopping for baby shower gifts for friends who were expecting their first child. They were embracing their new chapter into parenthood and were so happy to be expanding their family that finding out the gender of their child wasn’t something they sought out to know in advance. Basically, some really awesome parents that were more than ready to welcome a child into this world just as they are.
We went into a few big box retailers to see what we could find, and as we were browsing we caught ourselves looking at each other like, “why is this ‘pink is for girls and blue is for boys’ narrative still a thing?” Here we were, shopping for a kid who isn’t even here yet, sifting through options of clothing that felt like a bunch of expectations… especially by gender. It felt like children’s offerings hadn’t changed since we were kids. I’m going to date myself here, but living in a fast-paced world where there has been so much innovation, you mean to tell me the kid’s sector hasn’t really changed in three decades? We felt this visceral urge to change things.
In the formative years of même. it was all about making a statement. We named our company after a French word that translates into “same” or “even” to double down on the idea of creating a world where kids could be kids and not defined by what or who others project onto them to be. Kids have been able to grasp the name meaning, realizing it could mean boys and girls are equal, and I love that. I love that the name itself brings curiosity and room for conversation between adults and kids, too. We never expected that, but it’s been really eye-opening to witness.
We decided to make everything black and white to make sure there was no possible way to confuse us within the pink vs. blue narrative in the kid’s market. We bridge together the design sensibilities of women’s and menswear and bring it into the kid’s world. Our design philosophy for kids is balancing playfulness and maturity. I think as adults, we often assume kids don’t care for things, always get things dirty, or are too rough with their clothing, so we might think buying the cheapest thing is the easiest because what do they know. But that’s the thing, they’re kids! They know a lot! And all of those concerns aren’t really in their control. I love that kids live in their clothing, and throughout the years, we’ve learned kids definitely have an opinion on how certain clothing makes them feel. Our tagline is: Shared between brothers and sisters because we make clothing, accessories, and toys intended to be passed on to siblings, cousins, or friends.
Over the years, we’ve evolved. Once the kids who grew up with même. Started going to school, we learned that a lot of arts and trade programs are severely underfunded. We know how important it is for kids to explore and be introduced to new ideas, and it’s always been part of our bigger picture dream to teach kids all about the ins-and-outs of creative callings. From fashion design, music, illustration, or simply how to continue to live a creative life. This sparked the beginning of our workshops and creating seasonal collections that tied together hands-on activities kids could learn about new art forms, concepts, or ideas that inspired our designs. Building a connection to what we wear and use daily is a way for kids to hopefully understand how things are made and to participate in the process.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As much as I’d love to say it’s been a smooth road, entrepreneurship is more like a rollercoaster. A wild one! And every level up is a new arena, which means new challenges, new teachings, and requires constant growth. I feel like every month we’re reading a new self-help book.
We’ve had production setbacks, losing 75% of product during a shipment–this one really broke my spirit–but everything else feels like growing pains that come with the process of building something you have never even seen before. Even through all that we’ve encountered along our journey, it’s through the internal work that we’ve done over the last few years that have helped us take each challenge with a level of grace.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I design worlds for kids where they feel included and heard. même. exists to be a place kids can see a reflection of themselves and nurture their creative growth. All our work is centered on children and celebrating childhood and self-expression through clothing and learning activities.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
It’s difficult to sum it down to one characteristic, so I’m going to cheat a bit. I’d say being resourceful, solution-oriented, and intentional. I’m such a dreamer that I want to make sure I’m hitting every single note when it comes to offering something into the world, otherwise I don’t want to do it. Also, not sure this is a quality trait, but I don’t like hearing “no.” I’ll find a way.
Contact Info:
- Website: memekidswear.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/memekidswear
Image Credits
Avi Loud (four images of kids in studio) Shanlynne Silvestre (Outdoor workshop images)
