Check Out Britney Epps’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Britney Epps.

Hi Britney, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey started in technology. I have both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in computer science, and I’ve spent years building a career as a software engineer and technical leader. But alongside that structure and logic, I’ve always had a creative side that needed space to explore and express.

Fashion found me through curiosity and necessity. I started sewing and creating with pre-used fabrics because it was cheaper and gave me room to experiment. I could try things, mess up, and learn without the fear of wasting expensive materials. That freedom to fail bigger without regrets became the foundation for my creative process.

What began as a personal exploration grew into Both Rows, a brand rooted in nostalgia, emotion, and sustainability. It’s about understanding the full range of feelings, not just happiness, and transforming them into something tangible. Through upcycling and reimagining what already exists, I’ve built a space where storytelling, sustainability, and self-expression intersect.

In many ways, my background in tech shaped how I approach fashion, with structure, problem-solving, and innovation always at the core. But fashion gave me something that code couldn’t: a way to process emotion, connect with people, and make art that you can wear.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. I’ve had to grow slowly in fashion, figuring out how to make a sustainable brand actually sustain itself. I create one of one pieces, and the market doesn’t always favor that kind of intentional slowness. There were times when it felt like I was constantly trying to balance creativity with practicality, finding ways to stay true to what I believe in while still keeping things running.

For a while, I focused just on designing and would have my seamstress bring my ideas to life. But eventually my ideas got bigger and more detailed than what I could afford to outsource, so I decided to stop everything and learn how to sew myself. That decision changed everything. It forced me to slow down and respect the craft in a new way. It wasn’t easy, but it taught me patience, precision, and how to bring my visions to life with my own hands.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I do a lot of things that all connect back to care, creativity, and community. I’m a software developer by trade, working on projects that create real impact, like improving access to clean air data with JustAir or helping normalize election data with Community Tech Alliance. Outside of that, I’m the founder of Both Rows, a sustainable fashion brand rooted in feeling, education, and expression. I’m also a partner at The Ether Detroit, a creative studio and community space that supports artists and entrepreneurs in bringing their visions to life.

I’m most proud of not choosing just one way to express myself. Everything I do is connected by care and accessibility. Whether I’m solving technical problems or designing a one-of-one piece, my goal is always to make things that reach people, that build community, and that encourage others to feel deeply and grow.

What sets me apart is that I don’t see boundaries between my creative and technical sides. Both are part of how I tell stories and make change. Both Rows, for example, isn’t just about clothes—it’s about accessibility and exclusivity at the same time. It’s about building sustainable communities that are mentally and emotionally fed to be better.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something surprising that most people don’t know about me is that I’ve only been sewing for about three years and designing for about four or five. I love throwing myself into something new and figuring it out as I go. Once I pick something up, my imagination runs with it.

Another thing people are always surprised to learn is how the name Both Rows came about. When I was younger, I had braces but didn’t wear my retainer after. I’ve always had a bit of social anxiety, so I learned to smile in a way that hid my bottom row of teeth. My friends noticed that when I’m really, really happy, you see both rows of my teeth. That moment, that full smile, became the inspiration behind the name. It’s about feeling joy fully, embracing it, and letting yourself be seen.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.showbothrows.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showbothrows