Daily Inspiration: Meet Roshanda Mccray

Today we’d like to introduce you to Roshanda Mccray. 

Hi Roshanda, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started off selling wholesale clothes, my boutique name was “Rosh looks” over time I realize that even though I have a passion for fashion, selling clothes I knew were already being sold by so many other boutiques would make it more difficult for me to stand out. I knew that if people had the choice they’d choose the more established clothing boutique with more followers, even though we were selling the exact same outfit. I always wanted to design and make my own clothes but I told myself to at least try the boutique thing first then go for designing my own clothes. So, I knew from the beginning what I wanted to do but I guess I just wanted to waste money trying the boutique thing. One day I just told myself you have to create something exclusive. Something where people can only get it from you. I thought about how the big fashion brands Gucci, Louis Vuitton, etc. had that one thing that stamped their brand. So, when you see a piece of clothing or a purse you know what brand it is and where it came from. So, I decided I was going to work towards finding out how and who can help me start designing my clothes. I ran across this woman online that was doing 1 on 1’s in LA. She would show you where to go for fabric, give you an estimate of how much you need and introduce you to multiple clothing manufacturers that could turn my sketches into a real garments. When I started off with my first custom piece it was a velvet pink jumpsuit. Of course, because of how much money I put into the garment (buying fabric, paying for a sample) it was priced on the more expensive side. Everybody loved it but nobody was buying it. I would get messages from people like “nobody is going to buy that” or “That’s too expensive”. But I stood on what I created and did not change my price! After I started testing out different kinds of fabric I ran across this camouflage fabric, at first, I didn’t know if I liked it, I liked it enough for me to wear but wasn’t sure if others would want to wear it. Around this time, I changed my name for the 3rd time! I decided to go with “Rosh brand” Anyways I ordered 2 colors of the fabric pink and brown and I also created large labels with my brand name to go on the front of the garments. I sent my sketch and my fabric over to my Manufacture and she bought my vision to life! The Pink and Brown woods short set changed my life. I knew this fabric print would become my niche! This print would be the thing that set me apart from every other brand! I had finally found that thing that would make me an exclusive brand. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Unfortunately, it has not been a smooth road for me. I experienced a lot of pushback from some of my family members. some would be supportive and then some would tell me “You need to just quit; nobody is going to buy from you”. After a few Influencers were seen in my brand. I began to gain a small level of success and I quickly realized how the fashion business will copy and steal designs. When I created the Rosh brand, I wanted people to not only know what my brand stood for and what quality garments I bring..I also wanted it to be exclusive. After my brand began to gain notoriety, wholesalers’ websites started making replicas of my designs and print…even other established clothing brands were taking the fabric I made popularly, the fabric I made into a luxury look, and creating their own clothes for their brand. I was devastated! I could not believe they could just do that! Ultimately that only made me go harder to solidify my spot in the fashion business…Soon it will come a time where if it’s not a camouflage garment from the Rosh brand. It’s fake. Yes, people buy fake name brand items all the time but there are a lot of people who still value wearing the real and original. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in designing garments for my clothing brand. I’m known for the “Woods” camouflage look. My most proud moment was seeing different influencers like Jayda Cheaves and Dess Dior in my brand. I would talk to my friends about how one day I would have them wearing my brand and I did it! I think what sets me apart from other brands is of course my exclusive quality fabric and craftsmanship. But mostly my customer service! I make sure everyone that buys from me knows I value each and every one of them. 

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I see the fashion industry being more acceptive of small designers. I truly think every brand will be a luxury brand in 10-15 years. Because we really are fashion! We create the trends, the small-time designers. 

Contact Info:

• Email: theroshbrand@gmail.com
• Website: Roshbrand.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/theroshbrand
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/theroshbrand/
• Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC_Vy3tvR6zestDiBD5vb2wg