Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Nguyen.
Hi Michelle, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
As a shopaholic and designer, I used to buy clothes and fabric without a second thought or conscience. This all changed when I watched a documentary, “The True Cost,” about how fast fashion negatively impacts the environment and garment workers. I was saddened by the idea that I was completely unaware and oblivious of how my love for shopping could affect the world around me. It wasn’t hard for me to make the decision to cut out fast fashion and look to other alternatives for my fashion needs. I was working in higher education, and although I had always felt I was making a difference, during that time in my life, I was no longer fulfilled. I decided I didn’t have to choose between a career in fashion and one where I could make a positive change. That year, I quit my job and launched my first business endeavor, a sustainable fashion label. I wanted to create a brand that respected the earth rather than use it for overproduction. My brand was focused on using natural fibers and headstock, which at the time was a novelty concept. The label was short-lived because the following year, COVID halted manufacturing and supply chains as the world was shut down. Without many options, I took a leap with the guidance of a magazine article prompting me to sell my old clothes. This was the birth of Emmi’s Closet. I pivoted to selling secondhand clothing online and quickly started another fashion label centered around using secondhand fabric after seeing how much gets thrown away. I combined my background in design, textile knowledge, and secondhand sourcing to continue my mission to keep as much fashion waste out of the landfill and give clothing a second chance.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being an entrepreneur has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it has also been the most rewarding. Some of the struggles I faced at the beginning was believing in myself and my business. I didn’t have a background or experience running a business, so that was and still is a challenge I’m facing. I had imposter syndrome, unstable mood swings, and pressure to make sales. The first two years were especially difficult as I was transitioning from a stable job with coworkers to working alone and not making much money at all. I quickly realized I had to learn a lot of new skills on my own order to continue with my business. It took time, but through expanding my knowledge about my industry, getting physically active, and joining entrepreneurship communities, I started to see a change in myself and my business. I’m a much better person now because of my business; I’m very grateful for it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Emmi’s Closet is a curated online boutique carrying the latest in contemporary second-hand and sustainable handmade clothing. My mission is to slow down fashion waste to give nature a fighting chance.
I source by hand-selecting items from thrift stores and repurposing secondhand textile to create an entirely new garment. I choose to source this way to limit the amount of products that end up in landfills and to give clothing a second chance at life.
It’s very important to me to know what’s happening in the fashion scene so that I’m up-to-date with the items I bring to my store. My store isn’t trendy because I’m sourcing items that are classic and can be carried through the years but also not outdated. This is my sweet spot.
Sustainability is also very important to me personally and as a company. I use my platform to share and educate others about environmental challenges created by fashion and how we can be better consumers all around.
I’m also incredibly proud of my business for influencing those around me to think twice when consuming fashion. During a time when it’s so easy to buy fast fashion because it’s cheap and trendy, I’m proud that my business has become a place for sustainable and conscious consumption. If I can continue to encourage people to rethink the way they shop and to love our environment, I feel I am doing something meaningful for this world. Our planet should be the responsibility of everyone.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
What has been really helpful for me is aligning myself with a mission I’m passionate about. Something I struggled with in my adulthood was finding a career that is beneficial to the world but also allowing myself to be creative. This led me to work in higher education for over six years, and although I value education, I didn’t get to express myself creatively, which is something I value most about myself. That all changed when I learned about fast fashion and the damaging effect it has on the environment. It really stuck with me because I was definitely a contributor of that, so it became my mission to find a solution to the way we consume. The icing on the cake is that I get to be creative single every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.emmiscloset.net
- Instagram: emmiscloset_
- Facebook: shopemmiscloset
Image Credits
Michael Chang
Jonny Ngo
Michaela Joy Photography
Hannah Dimmitt
