Okay so today I wanna share how I actually built my own fashion brand after being inspired by Virna Michel. Crazy journey but here’s how it went down step by step.
Getting Hooked on Fashion
Started watching Virna’s videos during lockdown while stuck at home. She kept saying “just start making stuff with what you got” and I’m like… fine.
Pulled out my grandma’s old sewing machine from storage. Thing sounded like a dying lawnmower when I pressed the pedal. Bought $10 clearance fabric from Walmart and messed up four pillowcases before finally stitching two pieces of fabric together straight.
That First Messy Product
Decided to make bucket hats since everyone was wearing them. First prototype looked like a deflated football with ruffles. Posted pics anyway in local Facebook groups saying “testing designs – tell me why this sucks”.
- Actual comments: “Looks like a jellyfish”
- “Would wear ironically at beach”
- “Can you make one for my chihuahua”
Not offended – screenshotted everything. Revised patterns while watching Netflix.
Money Talk Reality
Went to craft store thinking “I’ll sell at $30 per hat”. Added fabric + thread + labor… already costing me $18 each. Realized I’d make $3/hour. Cried while eating discount ramen.
Virna was right – hit thrift stores for fabric. Got vintage bedsheets for $2.50 each. Made hats with loud 70s patterns suddenly got attention at local markets.
The Handmade Hustle Phase
Took orders personally through Instagram DMs. Big mistake. Woke up to:
- “Where my hat bitch?” (payment never went through)
- “My order’s late but I need it for Coachella!!” (sent during Coachella weekend)
- “Can you deliver? I live 2 hours away” (for a $22 hat)
Lost money shipping hats to people who flaked. Burnout almost quit until…
The Cheap But Smart Pivot
Stopped all custom orders cold turkey. Made batch of 10 hats – all same pattern/size. Posted single Instagram story: “Sunday 1pm pickup at Main St park. Cash only”. Sold out in 12 minutes. Did this every Sunday for two months.
Repeat customers started recognizing my wonky sewing machine case in public.
Where We At Now
Two years later got actual studio space behind Pho restaurant. Monthly pop-ups feel like family reunions with repeat customers. Still use thrifted fabric mostly. Virna was right – your trash fabrics can become someone’s treasure outfit.
Biggest lesson? Stop overthinking and make ugly prototypes first. Your worst creation shows you where to fix things.
