The Opposite of a Power Suit

Google Image Search: Power Suit Women

I was listening to one of my new favorite podcasts - Second Life, hosted by the founder of My Domaine and Who What Wear - while driving around near my house upstate and had a bit of an epiphany. The host, Hillary Kerr, was interviewing phenomenal woman, Andrea Lieberman, founder of A.L.C.. During their conversation, Andrea spoke about the concept behind her brand and how she hopes her clothing help women feel like their most powerful, best selves. And it got me thinking about my own design philosophy ...

I totally subscribe to the notion that your clothing (and hair, and makeup) are a sort of armor you put on when you go out into the world. It's the way you're telling the universe how you're showing up today. Am I powerful? Strong? Relaxed? Cool? I remember when I worked on a beauty brand, I would make sure to show up to my client meetings with my hair done, nails done, makeup on point, and look totally put together. I needed to communicate, through how I presented myself, that I understood my clients' world ... that they could trust me.

I run into that still on a daily basis. Now that I'm a boss lady, I'm a bit more curated in how I show up to work. Even though I tend to work in offices that are totally casual and no one would say a word if you rocked up in yoga pants ... but I'm also a 30 year old (read: young), woman, creative director in lots of rooms with lots of older men looking for reasons to discount my viewpoint. I can't let my ripped hoodie and nikes be one of them.

I digress.

As I was listening, I started to think about how what I'm doing with farrell + daughters is the opposite. In the same way that what you put on to enter the world is telling it how you want to present yourself, who you are at home is the most you it gets. You're not trying to impress your sofa with your sick outfit. Your pillow doesn't care if your blowout looks amazing. You are at your most authentic, uncut, unfiltered when you're at home. And I want to create spaces for people to be their best selves at home.

When Andrea was talking about creating A.L.C. as the pieces that you can wear and style and be confident in no matter your setting - I was like YES, except with furniture! How do I help people feel amazing, comfortable, confident, connected in their homes. What are the pieces, the flow, the styling that just works for their daily lives.

How do I create the opposite of a power suit?

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