Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Keller.
Hi Emily, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was always a creative kid. I taught myself how to sew around 6 years old and would make clothes for my stuffed animals out of little scraps of fabric. That grew into making clothes for myself around 3rd grade, I remember because my mum would let me wear them to school even though they were terribly made and later found out she would call ahead to make sure my teachers complimented me. By high school I had an etsy shop and was selling my clothing all around the world and discovered that this hobby I always had could actually be a career. I decided to attend The Fashion Institutes of Technology in NYC and earned a dual degree in Apparel Design and Sustainability. Environmental sustainability has always been incredibly important to me, and by working in the NY fashion industry I got to see first hand just how immensely impactful that industry is on our world. Years of working for many small sustainable companies as a design assistant, and for a wonderful textile recycling non-profit, FABSCRAP, eventually led me to where i’m at now. Running my own clothing company, Oddment Apparel, where I hand craft clothing entirely from commercial textile waste.
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?
I wouldn’t say it’s been a smooth road. Though I thrived in design school, being a designer in NYC can be pretty cut throat and choosing to work for small designers and non-profits, though incredibly rewarding, comes with other struggles. I was working multiple jobs in the fashion industry and a coffee shop on the weekends during my NYC days, so it was a hustle to say the least. These days I reside in my home state of Michigan, where I unintentionally fell into the position to be able to create my own company. That adventure has come with new challenges, like learning the ins and outs of running a business and the self-discipline it takes to find success. I’m grateful for every struggle though, they’re definitely part of the path that has gotten me this far.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I create clothing and accessories for all sizes and genders using 100% commercial textile waste. One area I really focus on in my work is the textile sourcing. When most people hear about textile waste they think post-consumer, like used clothing and reclaimed materials. You don’t hear about the pre-consumer or commercial side of textile waste as much, which is brand new fabrics and materials that are sent to landfill before ever being made into anything. I intentionally source these brand new beautiful fabrics that are discarded by design houses in NYC. Customers are often surprised and comment on the quality of fabrics I use and the majority have never heard of this sneaky area of textile waste.
Something i’m known for is that I design, cut, and sew each garment to be completely one of a kind. I never make anything twice, there is always at least a subtle difference between pieces. People really seem to appreciate this and having truly one of a kind items sets my work apart from others. It also keeps the creative process more fun for me.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I’m grateful to have grown up in a loving family in a beautiful little slice of Northern Michigan. My parents always prioritized being outdoors and the natural world and my favorite childhood memories are of camping, hiking, and summer days at the lake.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://oddmentapparel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oddment_apparel/
