Today we’d like to introduce you to Chloe Fischer.
Hi Chloe, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was always interested in fashion. While I was in high school, I enjoyed thrifting for clothes and changing what I found to fit me and my creative ideas better. While I was younger, I considered working in fashion merchandising, thinking fashion school would never be a real option. Fast forward a few years, and after a short stint studying nutritional science and living in Germany, I ended up meeting my husband, who is from Berlin. We decided to get married and move there instead of staying in the States. He encouraged me to apply to a well-known fashion school in the area called Lette Verein Berlin. I took a bit of a risk and applied, just hoping they’d see my potential. We moved over without an answer from the school, but luckily, I was invited to attend. I spent the next 3 years learning how to create collections, work with other designers, make and refine patterns from scratch, and make clothing with the highest quality possible.
After years of studying, I finished with outstanding grades and a nomination for my school’s fashion award. I was fortunate enough to work as a freelance designer for a few small fashion brands in Berlin.
As we made the move back to the US after 5 years in Berlin, I was thrown into the world of bridal alterations. It wasn’t the plan, but since there wasn’t much of a plan, this was a way I was happy to use my skills in a new way. There were custom dresses thrown in there, along with a few pattern-making classes.
Something that stood out to me while at fashion school and long after was the negative impact the fashion industry has on the environment. I focused a lot of my collections on sustainability and creating less waste. After years in alterations, I decided to work on one of my passion projects and start a small brand called CarryWell. Using textiles found in local thrift stores, I turn them into zippable totes. It’s been a fun and fulfilling way to work on something I’m passionate about, while still being there for my clients and having time to create for myself.
I currently enjoy doing select alterations and work as a freelance design consultant to local clothing brands. When I have time, I work on CarryWell and hope to find more time to educate others on the importance of buying used, repairing, and giving our clothing a longer, more sustainable life.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There has been a lot of insecurity in myself and my abilities along the way. I didn’t have much to compare myself to at the beginning and felt like an imposter until just recently, but that voice still pops up now and then, especially when I’m asked to do something I may not feel completely qualified to do, even if I know I can do it.
I’ve decided always to say “yes” when a new opportunity presents itself. I’ve found that by living this way, I put myself in the right mindset to grow. This is how every new venture has found its way to me over the years and why I feel like I’ve had such a diverse experience within the fashion industry.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I was given the chance to work in consulting about a year ago, which has been a great way to use skills I developed in school that I hadn’t used in a few years. I believe that my background at fashion school gave me more than I could have ever imagined. In alterations and bridal design, I’m able to not only change items to fit a client better, but I am also able to completely design something new, which many alteration shops can’t do. In consulting, I can offer my opinion on sizing and fabric selection, and share knowledge on creating cohesive collections. I’m proud of my ability to be helpful in many situations and am very grateful to my immersive education for giving me such valuable and diverse knowledge.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Find situations that push you out of your comfort zone, but not too much that you underdeliver. If possible, find someone you can use as a mentor to ask questions to, so you’re not figuring it out all on your own. And make sure that you’re charging a fair price- that means not charging what others might be charging if you’re just at the beginning, and charging what you’re worth if you have the time and knowledge behind you.
Always be looking for ways to expand your knowledge and skills, whether that’s watching other designers on YouTube or taking the time to teach yourself something new. And a good machine makes all the difference.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: seams.collective
