Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Emily Rouse of Wheeling, WV

We recently had the chance to connect with Emily Rouse and have shared our conversation below.

Emily, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I’ve been focusing a lot on work/life balance this year and have really enjoyed going to the gym as part of that. It wasn’t until this year that I started consistently working out. Gyms have always been really intimidating to me, so I was exercising at home at the start of this year. I then started going to the gym with my boyfriend and he has helped show me how to use the machines and learn new exercises. He had taught himself how to use a lot of the equipment and having his help has made the it all a lot more approachable for me. Working out in general has been a great mental distraction from work and I’m excited to have something outside of work that I try to improve in.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am excited to bring fashion and cut-and-sew experiences back home to Wheeling, West Virginia to build the industry locally and to create opportunities for future professionals.

I was born and raised in Wheeling, West Virginia. I graduated from The Linsly School and went on to obtain my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design and Bachelor of Science in Business Management in the Honors College from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia.

After graduation, I moved to New York City to broaden my horizons and immerse myself in every aspect of the fashion industry, gaining experience in wholesale, retail, design, distribution, manufacturing, and contracting. In 2019, I created my womenswear brand, House of Rouse, LLC.

I then returned home to Wheeling and opened Edgington Studio LLC, a full-service cut-and-sew apparel manufacturer. The Studio works with emerging designers all across the country to produce their garments and teaches sewing classes. Edgington Studio is a Certified Small Business and Certified Woman-Owned Business.

In 2024, I was brought on to PATTERN, an initiative of the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (NRGRDA), as a Textile Industry Consultant. I am helping the NRGRDA team open their outdoor gear cut-and-sew facility in Beckley and launch their workforce development program.

I recently founded Wheeling Fashion Week, an organization dedicated to showcasing the circular fashion industry in Wheeling. As Committee Chair, I plan a week-long series of fashion events that culminates in a grand-finale runway show. After years of doing runway shows in other cities, I am thrilled to establish this for my community.

I serve on the board of directors as the Vice Chair of the Programming Committee for the WV Manufacturers Association – Educational Fund.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I remember the first time I used a sewing machine as a Girl Scout in middle school. We were at a local sewing shop and made felt purses. I remember that being a feeling of “power” because we started with many pieces and at the end of the workshop, we had an assembled product. That feeling continued to grow as I started to make more complex pieces and eventually learned how to do more steps that lead up to the actual sewing, such as patternmaking. I think there is a lot of power that comes with being able to do anything yourself, but there has always been something so cool to me about having an idea for a piece in my head and knowing how to turn it into a physical reality.

What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
My senior fashion collection in college did not score high enough to make it into the annual runway showcase and that was so upsetting. I had worked all year on the collection and in that moment, it seemed like the most important thing in the world. My professors were very encouraging about it and motivated me to use it as a learning opportunity on how I would reflect on this several years after graduation. At the time, I was juggling multiple degrees and work, and looking back at that now, I’m just impressed I was able to finish it all as well as I did. Fast forward 8 years later, I’ve created my own fashion brand and shown my collections in Pittsburgh and Johnstown Fashion Week, among several other runway shows. I’ve even founded Wheeling Fashion Week. I also learned that Christian Siriano, a Project Runway winner and renown designer that I admire, was not accepted into FIT when he was first getting started. So while not making it into the show was difficult, it was not nearly the life defining moment (at least in a negative way) that I thought it would be.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I’ve always been a big fan of Barbara Corcoran as a businesswoman. She is very well known and powerful within her industry and the business world, but leads with a sense of fun. I’m always inspired when I see her on Shark Tank and her social media. The people around her seem to be genuinely happy and she is also very transparent and persistent. She doesn’t try to hide behind filters or a desk and calls herself out on things she has done in the past that seem silly now. It’s always hard to tell what is genuine behind a television or the internet, but I’d like to think that her upbeat character has built the foundation for her amazing success.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What will you regret not doing? 
I do my best to live with no regrets. Being an entrepreneur is very risky and carries a lot of uncertainty, but one thing I can take control of is always doing my best. I operate each day giving 110% to my business, so that I know that if one day I was not able to carry on for any reason, I knew it wouldn’t be for a lack of doing absolutely everything I could to make it work. This has helped push me outside of my comfort zone because trying to live without regret greatly overpowers any fears that I have.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Runway photography by Essington Creative

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?

Coffee? Workouts? Hitting the snooze button 14 times? Everyone has their morning ritual and we

Highlighter Series
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?

Our deepest wounds often shape us as much as our greatest joys. The pain we

Highlighter Series
Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?

Culture, economic circumstances, family traditions, local customs and more can often influence us more than