Meet Carly Sioux

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Carly Sioux. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Carly below.

Carly , thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

I stopped trying to blend in. For a long time, I thought success meant shrinking myself to fit into rooms that weren’t built with me in mind. I’d show up, get overlooked, get passed over, and wonder if I needed to be more polished, more palatable. But the truth is, I’m not here to match the room—I’m here to change what the room looks like.

I’ve learned how to navigate systems that weren’t designed for people like me without letting them rewire my sense of value. Being the only one in the room means you’re constantly translating—your ideas, your aesthetics, your perspective. That takes energy. But it also builds a kind of muscle. I’ve made it work by staying rooted in my vision, trusting my instincts, and knowing that the very thing that made me feel out of place is the thing that gives me an edge.

No Era is not for everybody. That’s the point. And once I stopped waiting for permission or validation, things started to open up.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

House of No Era is a design studio and vintage dealer that doesn’t subscribe to trends or timelines. I work across interiors, objects, and styling; pulling together old and new in ways that feel lived-in but unexpected. What I do is part curation, part creative direction, part instinct. It’s about helping people build environments that reflect who they are, not just what’s popular.

What’s special about it? Honestly, the freedom. I’m not chasing aesthetics that already exist, I’m creating new ones. The pieces I source, the spaces I design, the visual language I use; it’s all part of this larger effort to move beyond categories and make something more personal. More layered.

Right now, I’m scaling the studio into a regional model, working in cities like New Orleans, New York, Miami, Detroit. I’m also taking on more sourcing projects and custom styling work for clients who want something that doesn’t feel off-the-shelf. There’s no formula here. Just intention, good design, and a little grit.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

1) Resourcefulness. I didn’t have a blueprint, so I built one as I went. That meant figuring out how to stretch small budgets, wear five hats at once, and still make the work look good. If you’re starting out, don’t wait for ideal conditions, learn to move with what you have. That skill doesn’t just keep you afloat,it makes you sharp.

2) Visual conviction. Knowing how to trust your eye, especially when no one else sees it yet, is everything. That means refining your taste, training your gut, and not folding just because someone doesn’t “get it.” People catch up eventually. Stay consistent and let the work speak.

3) Relationship intuition. This one’s underrated. Knowing who to build with, who to walk away from, and when to stand your ground. The creative industry can be smoke and mirrors. Protect your time and energy. Collaboration is powerful, but only when it’s aligned.

For anyone starting out: document your process, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to be the one doing it differently. That’s usually where the good stuff starts.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I am but only if it’s about building and not climbing. I’ve had some collaborations that looked good on paper but didn’t hold up in practice. What I’ve learned is that alignment matters more than aesthetics. I’m not interested in ego-driven projects or surface-level hype. I want to work with people who are consistent, enthusiastic, and serious about the work.

I’m very open-handed when I believe in someone’s craft. I’ve helped lift a lot of people, and I’ll keep doing that—but I need to see the same level of respect and commitment coming back. If it’s mutual, it works. If it’s extractive, I’m out.

I’m looking for stylists, photographers, designers, fabricators, curators, collectors, and artists who are grounded, collaborative, and hungry to do something different. If that’s you, reach out through my site or DM me on Instagram. I’d love to meet you!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Photography by House of No Era

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