We recently had the chance to connect with Eternal Carmé and have shared our conversation below.
Eternal, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
Eternal Carmé is undoubtedly wandering. We know where we would like to end up, but we are taking the scenic route and enjoying the ride.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Eternal Carmé is comprised of three girls: Taylor, Nicola and Shelby. Taylor and Nicola are the owners of the brand–we come up with ideas and bring them to life on our denim canvases. We met working on a farm in Maui, Hawaii four years ago and have been connected at the hip ever since. Shelby is our incredibly talented, multi-faceted marketing director and doubles as the fire under our butts to get things moving. Eternal Carmé was founded on the notion that fashion needs a genuine love affair with art and has to break-up with the fast, cheap relationship it is currently entangled in. We began with what we felt was the most boring, predictable and painstaking part of the fast-fashion world we live in today: jeans. We wanted to see something groundbreaking, something new and something that would serve as the dernier cri of any room. Something for everyone. So, since we were not anywhere close to enchanted with what we had seen on the market, we decided that we would try it out ourselves. It became increasingly more obvious the further we got into our business, that we were not only disappointed with the look of denim itself, but the fashion industry as a whole. We were tired of seeing the classic capitalistic chokehold on the industry and are now dedicated to providing quality products, sustainably, all while investing in our team (we love you, Shelby!). We want to prove that success does not derive from exploiting labor and selfish greed. Legitimate, long-term success finds itself in an organization that invests in and values its’ workers, so we are going to use our gift (creating kick-ass clothing) to perpetuate this narrative.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
Eternal Carmé has grown together more in four years than we would have ever been able to independently. Our introduction to each other was entirely random, but the more we reflect on it, it was clearly intentional. Coming from two different worlds, we met on a farm and immediately formed a connection. We have gone through a rollercoaster of emotions and stories (sharing one bedroom apartments, backpacking through Bali, starting a business and a helping each other through a never-ending cycle of car troubles) and we not only continue to love each other more because of it, but are able to share a vision so powerful we moved states (twice) to achieve it. We have surpassed friendship and have formed a bond so untouchable that we are convinced we are related somehow. We understand each other, we yearn to continue our growth as individuals together, we support each other and we both want to stop seeing corporations strip Americans of their right to a fulfilling life, not entirely centered around a 9-5. We make each other better in ways that even we have trouble comprehending.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
We are still in the throes of this. We have come a long way from our first creations and although we know that our clothing is actually wearable now (our first year of making clothes haunts us) we constantly fight off the intrusive thought that tells us to quit. We both work full-time jobs to support our brand and pay Shelby well for all of the work she does, but starting a business is expensive and we always seem to run out of funds. Like I mentioned, we both work full-time so our energy levels are not always where they need to be in order to create pieces that we are proud of (Taylor recently realized she was consuming too much caffeine and her body started revolting–so now we’re cutting back on caffeine together, in solidarity with her body’s rebellion). We also haven’t met our sales goals and that can be a huge kick to the ego. However, we just recently revamped our website which we believe was the catalyst behind our lack of sales (our website did kind of look like a scam in everyone’s defense) and we are anticipating an uptick in sales as it does look pretty sweet now. The list goes on. There are a nimiety of different reasons for wanting to quit, but we want people to work for us one day and be proud of what we stand for. We want to make real significant changes in a world that desperately needs them. So for now, we will eat bananas for energy and keep on trucking.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
There is a mechanic in Phoenix that Nicola worked for and he became like a grandfather to both of us. His name is Randy. He is the most genuine, kind, honest and patient man and has helped us through some of the most difficult times of our lives. He is always there when we need something (a phone call about a mysterious leak or squeal, advice about what coolant we should use or whatever other crazy tricks our vehicles are playing on us) and we appreciate him more than he could ever know. Nicola gave him her phone and taught him how to use an iPhone so he could buy parts online and now he texts to check in throughout the week–he can even send emojis now! His shop is a safe space for both of us and if he knows we are coming to town he always stocks his fridge full of snacks for us. Taylor introduced him to matcha and chai teas, so we never come empty handed (per his request. He loves his teas!). He has shown us how we would like to run our business. Investing in our people and being patient when life throws curveballs. Randy would take the shirt off of his back for anyone and he has always done everything he can to help us when we need it. When we make it big, Randy is one of the first people we are taking care of.
Shoutout to Auto Tech in Mesa, Arizona. If you ever need work done, he’s the man to go to!
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Eternal Carmé is made up of two very stubborn women and Shelby. With that being said, if we do not want to do something, we are not doing it. Nicola was on a rigid path to attend law school when she met Taylor and when she realized that it might not be her calling, she completely pivoted her plan. Taylor did the same. We are both fortunate in that we have a voice inside of us, guiding us, and we never ignore it. The way that we met and the connection that we formed allows us both to find ample amounts of peace in trusting the process–whatever it may be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.eternalcarme.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eternalcarme
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1JN6pmhSyK/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eternalcarme?_t=ZT-8yIohTprmhx&_r=1
