The Journey To Molly: What I’m Learning In My Quiet Period.. - While I’ve spent many months getting things in order to release the first model of my debut collection- The Gemini Rebirth, there have inevitably been a few hitches and delays that I’ve had to face head on as a new footwear brand emerging into the luxury market. For entrepreneurs in any industry today, the dreamContinue reading "The Journey To Molly: What I’m Learning In My Quiet Period.."
The Journey To Molly: Creating My First Fashion Editorial. - The idea to execute my first editorial for MOLLY came to me spontaneously during the course of a weekend getaway at a cabin. I was yet to receive my footwear shipment in Canada and was more focused on figuring out how my products would be transported from the warehouse to my workspace, but as I’veContinue reading "The Journey To Molly: Creating My First Fashion Editorial."
The Journey To Molly: Are We There Yet??? - Yes, yes, yeees! And… no. After 8 months of working tirelessly on the first model in The Gemini Rebirth collection, The GR1, 1 month awaiting my shipment, and nearly 2 weeks having to wait for clearance with customs, I finally received all 250 handcrafted pairs! If you’ve read any of my earlier posts such asContinue reading "The Journey To Molly: Are We There Yet???"
Let’s Talk Real Life: Reflecting On Failed Job Offers And Dealing With Redirections - During my design & discovery journey, I found myself in situations where I was overly eager to gain more knowledge and experience in various aspects of the footwear industry. This often led me to explore job openings ranging from lower levels to top tier positions in established brands. At some point, I would have killedContinue reading "Let’s Talk Real Life: Reflecting On Failed Job Offers And Dealing With Redirections"
The Journey To Molly: Creating An Online Presence, Building Brand Awareness & Dealing With Brand Features - While many are naturally inclined to the social scene online, I tend to shy away from it. It could be due to the fact that before I started my brand I never really felt the need to share details about my life with opinionated strangers or put myself out there, but nonetheless, I’m probably theContinue reading "The Journey To Molly: Creating An Online Presence, Building Brand Awareness & Dealing With Brand Features"
The Journey To Molly: Behind My 8-Month Prototyping & Production Phase - As you may have read in my recent post about manufacturing mishaps & plummeted partnerships, I made the decision to collaborate with my current manufacturing facility in the spring of 2020, and boy, has it been a huge learning experience. From creating and sending over a Non-Disclosure Agreement for the first time ever, to trustingContinue reading "The Journey To Molly: Behind My 8-Month Prototyping & Production Phase"
My Business, My Rules! Why Other People’s Opinions Should Not Affect Your Professional Choices. - I have had my fair share of conversations with other artists, friends, family and colleagues, but the discussions that inadvertently stand out to me are those of the Doubting Thomases and the Negative Nancys. I have this friend… let’s call him ‘Rex’. Now before I get into this, it is important to state that IContinue reading "My Business, My Rules! Why Other People’s Opinions Should Not Affect Your Professional Choices."
Let’s Talk Real Life: Dealing With Mental Blocks & Emotional Burnouts - First things first: You’re doing amazing sweetie! Building a Footwear Brand from scratch, especially on your own, with no external help, can be the most draining and trying process, however fulfilling it may be. Since my decision to embark on this journey, I have done everything single-handedly and many a times, I have come crashingContinue reading "Let’s Talk Real Life: Dealing With Mental Blocks & Emotional Burnouts"
The Journey To Molly: What’s Next? - To tell you the truth… I’m torn between finishing my six-piece debut collection- The Gemini Rebirth and trying my best not to get discouraged amidst this wreckage of a pandemic. Nonetheless, creating this collection has solidified a vivid direction of a broader design mission I might adopt moving forward- to create interchangeable footwear that isContinue reading "The Journey To Molly: What’s Next?"
The Journey To Molly: Manufacturing Mishaps & Plummeted Partnerships. - At the start of my Journey to Molly in 2018, I was straggling the fence about whether or not I would like my brand to remain exclusively one-of-one custom pieces or to mass produce and share these unique and intricate designs with a larger, still limited, number of sole lovers. It was one hell ofContinue reading "The Journey To Molly: Manufacturing Mishaps & Plummeted Partnerships."
Real Life: Black Lives Matter & Footwear Design?? Why Your Brand Is Power! - If you are one of those who have been tuned in to the racial injustice issues being brought to light around the world then you are well aware of the turmoil and heartache that plagues communities majorly populated by black individuals and POC. If you aren’t/have chosen to ignore/remain silent about this very global issue,Continue reading "Real Life: Black Lives Matter & Footwear Design?? Why Your Brand Is Power!"
The Journey To Molly: Winning The Prestigious A’ Design Award - After months of nervous waiting, I am glad to share that Molly can now be addressed as an award-winning brand! Of 46,222 submissions, The Gemini Rebirth proudly holds 1 of 3 winning spots in the 2019-2020 Footwear, Shoes and Boots Design Award Category for The A’ Design Award Competition. It is the world’s largest designContinue reading "The Journey To Molly: Winning The Prestigious A’ Design Award"
Making THE move: My Experience Living In Canada’s Fashion Capital. - Making the move to Montréal came as naturally to me as a tree shedding its leaves. There’s something about new beginnings and new chapters that ignites a spark in me.. Long before I was blessed with the opportunity to live here, I had dreamt of this city and its distinctive endearments towards the fashion industry.Continue reading "Making THE move: My Experience Living In Canada’s Fashion Capital."
Oh, Molly… Where Have You Been? - As some of you know, last year ended on a ghostly note.I faded off all social media platforms- this blog, my personal Instagram (even Pinterest) and retreated back to my introspective ways for some much-needed self-evaluation and strategic business planning. For a while there, it felt as though I was just “going with the flow” withContinue reading "Oh, Molly… Where Have You Been?"
A Dollar And A Dream: My First Order of Custom Molly Shoes. - I’m about to sell my very first pair of handcrafted Molly shoes- cute, of course with my edgy take, sturdy and ready to be envied. The problem, however, is that it’s bitter sweet. There’s an indescribable feeling of comfort; of love; of peace; of joy, that I get when I make any pair. It’s likeContinue reading "A Dollar And A Dream: My First Order of Custom Molly Shoes."
5 Things You Absolutely Should Know Before Starting A Business - It’s gonna be a fight everyday, with your emotions and with you self esteem. I think we all think highly of ourselves and are easily disappointed when it seems as though we’re nowhere near where we should be, but is important to remember nothing ever comes easy. You must believe in your passion to fuel yourContinue reading "5 Things You Absolutely Should Know Before Starting A Business" The Journey To Molly: What’s Next? - To tell you the truth… I’m torn between school and work, but at the same time having a four piece Spring/Summer collection with the most gorgeous crimson & beautiful black leather uppers seems to sit pretty at the top of my list! Four seems to be on the smaller scale for a footwear collection, but forContinue reading "The Journey To Molly: What’s Next?"
The Journey To Molly: Unveiling My First Pair of Handmade Shoes & Dealing With Creative Block. - The last time I bared my soul, I was stuck on the disappointment of not having my very first pair of shoes finished AND having to deal with not living up to my own expectations. I have a deep-rooted fear of being mediocre. I don’t know where this trait stems from, but its a driveContinue reading "The Journey To Molly: Unveiling My First Pair of Handmade Shoes & Dealing With Creative Block."
The Journey To Molly: Why I Put A Pause On Shoe-Making. - Shoemaking has given me a totally different perspective on life. These days I tend to feel a lot more purposeful and optimistic when I wake up. Not that I wasn’t at all to begin with, but it’s pretty heightened lately. The mere thought of a dream that seems so out of reach remains frightening, butContinue reading "The Journey To Molly: Why I Put A Pause On Shoe-Making."
Real Life: The Struggles Of Building A Footwear Brand - Starting a business could either be the single most terrifying thing on the planet or the most liberating thing. After years of expressing my love for shoes through conceptual sketches and proof of my helpless addiction peeking through the crack of my closet door, I decided to start a footwear brand called Molly. It wasContinue reading "Real Life: The Struggles Of Building A Footwear Brand"