Sister Epic: Dreams Become Reality
Adrienne is the owner, and designer of SISTER EPIC. She has a background in fashion design and construction from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago(SAIC). After years (a few too many!) spent within the world of retail merchandising and display design, she was craving a larger creative outlet of her own. In early 2018 she made the leap and began planning for the launch of her own line. A year later, SISTER EPIC released the very first capsule collection.
What sparked your interest in fashion and specifically designing?
I’ve been drawn to clothing and fashion since I was a little girl. Growing up, I remember constantly loving excess in rhinestones, frills, hair clips, etc. Looking back, I now realize it was just a form of self-expression. A way to showcase my personality everywhere I went without having to say too much. I was pretty shy as a kid.
Have you always wanted to design handbags?
No! I began working in traditional garment construction. During my final year at SAIC, I began to mix leather into my thesis collection. There were a lot of garments that had bag-like aspects/functionality. That collection really opened up a whole and a new lane I hadn’t yet explored: in terms of medium(leather) and physical product(bags).
What are three of your favorite pieces in your collection right now?
Black Hex Crossbody(my everyday go-to), Vixen Tote(my meeting go-to because it’s large enough to hold my laptop), Cecilia Pouch(you can wear it as a shoulder bag or belt-bag)
Who are some of your biggest influences in the fashion industry?
Ann Demeulemeester or really any of the Antwerp 6. It isn’t so much in aesthetics but in the fine-tuning and finesse of their brands. There isn’t a detail that goes untouched or unnoticed. It’s the finetuning and thoughtfulness behind everything they do that I aspire to be like.
What have some of your biggest challenges been in owning a small business?
I would say THE biggest challenge is in accepting you wear every single hat. Resources, especially financial resources, are tight so you can’t afford to hire an expert for every job. As a small business owner, you take on the role of designer, operations, customer service, marketing, etc. Having all those titles means the hours really never end. So, with that, comes the challenge of navigating a work-life balance. Burn out is real, so it’s important to figure that out.
What have been some of the most rewarding moments in owning a small business?
Having people, like yourself, reach out to me is always so rewarding. It’s new relationships coming to life because of a business I dreamt up. I’ve met some of the most amazingly talented people as a result of this business and it’s only just the start.
How has your business model changed or adapted due to the pandemic?
Prior to the pandemic, a lot of our business was done through in-person vendor shows. Going into 2020, we had a year’s worth of trade-shows lined up. Needless to say, those were canceled so we had to go back to the drawing board to make up for that loss. Thankfully, the digital world is rich in resources. We’ve taken part in a few virtual marketplaces and started doing pop-up/sample sales via IG stories. It’s a great way for customers to feel a personal connection without being face-to-face.
If you could have one person carry your bag down the runway who would it be and why?
Ohhh, good question. Hard to pick just one but probably Zoe Kravitz. I love her whole aesthetic and vibe. She’s always pushing the boundaries and unapologetic about what she wears. I love that and the confidence she exudes is just IT.
Are you a Pittsburgh native? If not where else have you lived?
No, I’m not. I’ve lived in Pittsburgh for about 3.5 years. I was born and raised in Chicago. I have so much love for both cities.
As it is Women's History Month who are some of your favorite women owned brands that you'd like to give a shoutout to? There are so many!
La Ligne, Lolly ceramics, Building Block, Glossier. Locally, Anna Lemley, Luna Selene, Sweet Peach Denim, and Bombabird...to name a few!
What can we look forward to seeing from Sister Epic in the future?
More in-person shopping opportunities. We’re digging deep into getting SISTER EPIC into a carefully curated collection of shops - at a nation-wide level.