Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacie Daigle.
Stacie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve always had an affinity for unique fashion and vintage clothes that no one had. I come from a family of artists, so I was equipped with the tools to seek out art in various mediums and find multiple passions at a young age. I actually started in the corporate world doing PR, Marketing, and Event Planning. I started freelancing full-time in 2016. Simultaneously, in my twenties, I started going to music festivals all over the world and following around my favorite musicians. I always wanted something to wear that made a statement and not just be “Coachella Basic.” I would find unique vintage jackets and paint, embroider, and tailor to fit better. I would get a lot of compliments at these festivals and wearing these garments around town, that I started making them as gifts and was commissioned by people for one-offs. I incorporated my other passion of statement wall art, so now on my website there is a mix of all of that. Men’s & women’s apparel, vintage finds, and art. It’s a pretty big reflection of who I am as a stylist/artist. I just want people to feel good. Plus, who doesn’t want to be stopped on the street and complimented on their clothes?!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I’m still pretty early on in my journey of fashion design, but I have run other businesses for many years so my advice is if it’s a good idea, the public will let you know. I feel like you can fall short when you start to get into a routine and not continually create. I always try to evolve and take inspiration from everywhere and everyone I meet. I think the hardest hurdle is toning down my edge and doing some pieces that the everyday woman or man could wear. As much as I want to create just things that I would wear, it’s still a business at the end of the day and I have to be cognizant of the desires of the masses. So, my advice is to be okay with not all of your ideas being good ones. Have the people closest to you, that truly support you, be your sounding board for ideas before you dive right in. It’s okay to be wrong. Also, never turn off your brain, even when you’re out doing something else and not working, Use those moments of being around people as a tool to help you market, brainstorm, and stay happy. Keep the wheels turning. Everything will always fall into place.
What should we know about Honorable Citizens? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Honorable Citizens is mostly known for unique vintage items turned into wearable art. I think the thing that sets it apart from like-minded companies are the original statement pieces that I have created. Also, the super cozy Dreamers Have Hope faux fur jackets are vegan and consciously-made. I think it’s important to live clean and protect the environment, so the less we overproduce, the better. That’s why I typically use clothes that were already made and expound on those, but I designed two styles of jackets from scratch and insisted on using vegan materials even if they were more expensive. I wanted to leave a smaller footprint. I took up surfing a little over a year ago and fell in love with it and nothing makes you want to protect the environment more than seeing how polluted our oceans are, so this is obviously a small part to make a difference.
Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
Stay happy. Nothing kills a plan more than not feeling good. Self-care is crucial.
Pricing:
- Dreamers Have Hope Bomber Jacket $90
- Dreamers Have Hope Mid Length Jacket $100
Contact Info:
- Website: www.honorablecitizens.com
- Email: info@honorablecitizens.com
- Instagram: @honorablecitizens
- Facebook: @honorableCitizens
- Other: https://www.zazzle.com/mbr/238594709066585609/collections?pg=1
Image Credit:
Vanessa Erdody, Jair Flores, & Stacie Daigle
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