Photo by Ben Lamberty
At Teressa Foglia, we believe in lifting up other female artisans and their small businesses around the world. In the coming weeks, we will be featuring some of our favorite artists, business owners, and designers in our journal. This week we're featuring Grammar NYC!
Photo By Yekaterina Gyadu
How did you get started in your space?
I started making clothes when I was studying abroad in Paris during college. I wanted a babydoll dress, and I couldn’t find one I liked, so I decided to make one. I just made it up; I didn’t know anything about patternmaking or construction then.
I had a similar experience when I decided to start Grammar; I couldn’t find a white shirt I wanted, so I decided to make them. At that point, I had studied and worked in fashion and marketing and had wanted to start a sustainable fashion brand for years. White shirts seemed like a great place to start—they’re hard to find (because they’re hard to make), they’re timeless and versatile and fun to design, and there’s a niche of people who are obsessed with them.
What’s your favorite thing about being a brand owner?
I love everything about being a brand owner—it’s what I’m meant to do—but I think my favorite part is seeing people try on my clothes. At that moment, when they walk out of the dressing room and their faces are lit up, and they’re shining and expressing themselves in all their power and beauty, I feel that I’ve done something really important and good.
Photo by Lily Cummings
What’s your best advice for someone looking to start out on their own?
Listen to your intuition, know your brand, and be persistent. Many people will give you advice and feedback, which is good, but ultimately you are the one who decides what’s best for your brand. Create a clear vision of what you want your brand to be, what you value and hold dear, and never compromise on those things. Sometimes what you want is not the easy answer or the easy path, and that’s ok. Keep asking, keep looking, keep pushing, pursue your vision doggedly.
Thank you so much to Althea and the team at Grammar. Check them out on Instagram and online.
Read our other Artist Features here xx
