Today we’d like to introduce you to Acadia Herbst.
Hi Acadia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
There are so many ways my life intertwined to become 111 threads, honestly one hundred eleven reasons why. But that’s not why it’s called 111 threads haha. In short, I was in college experimenting with my style when I began to thrift and upcycle. It started with buying jeans, cutting them into squares, and painting my art onto them. I would hand sew my little patches onto thrifted t-shirts to create my new shirt that expressed ME and was what I wanted to wear. It was fun and allowed me to feel different. Eventually, I had a few friends ask for their shirts so I made a few and I remember exactly how it felt to get the money for them. f*cking good. I made an Instagram account for my shirts and called it oneeleventhreads (now known as 111.threads). As I was super into spirituality and numerology and the number 111 had always found a way to be in my life. The meaning behind 111 in numerology is stepping into your truth, and manifesting your deepest desires. It felt fitting for the way I felt when I made my clothes.
Over time the shop and my passion, and my skills just snowballed into something I never would’ve imagined.
I went from a girl with no confidence in fashion and always second-guessing who I am to someone with a platform that creates fashion for people all over the world all day. It’s insane. I don’t know really how it all got to me being a full-time designer, fully self-employed at the age of 24 but I do not know who, or where I would be without 111 either.
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 mean no entrepreneur has ever had one solid upward run toward success. I’ve experienced so many setbacks ranging from social media to severe injury, to depression, burnout, and even just extreme self-doubt. But from these experiences I find it motivating, to think how I, a normal person, with normal problems, have done something so incredible. Shows me and hopefully inspires others that you can achieve anything you want in life as long as you have the passion and drive behind it.
Ive learned so many valuable lessons from this journey of entrepreneurship and am so grateful for every struggle and hardship.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work has come such a long way from painting and hand sewing. I now am mostly known for turning old pieces such as torn quilts and tattered fleeces into zip-up jackets, shorts, halter tops, you name it! I am always experimenting with upcycling and that seems to be what the people love. Every one of my viral videos is so different and im so grateful that Im supported through so many endeavors. I’m most proud of never giving up and saying yes to every opportunity. Consistency and persistence is the key and im proud of myself for building the life i wanted. I truly get to live my dream, something i think that puts me apart from others in the field is that i try to add my personal life into my shop and intergrain things i love with my work. For example, i have an RV and some of my favorite content is setting my sewing machine up wherever I am camping and sewing up some pieces. It opens the door to so many opportunities, allows me to create beautiful things in beautiful places, and inspire others to be brave and do weird things!
Another thing that has recently set me apart from others in the field is that i actually am pursuing professional tailoring. I took some time to get trained in the art of alterations and repair, and truly can call myself a master seamstress now. I think many of the young people in the upcycling profession dont think to take that route and thats what intrigued me the most about it. So when im not making fun upcycled pieces, im repairing and altering clothes. I’ve really enjoyed the change of pace and it really aligns with my sustainability beliefs.
My job truly fulfills so many different parts of me and is such a proud reflection of who I am, and im so grateful i get to share that with the world
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I graduated from Plymouth State Univerity in New Hampshire with a degree in sustainable business and design.
Originally from New Jersey, Recently moved to Utah
No formal sewing/fashion/design training (100% self taught until oct 2024 when i learned tailoring)
Watch me on season 1 of Upcycle Nation on FUSETV
Notable collaborations with SINGER sewing and Joann Fabrics
Contact Info:
- Website: https://111threads.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/111.threads
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@111threads
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@111threads
