We recently had the chance to connect with Ciara Tell and have shared our conversation below.
Ciara, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Yes absolutely! I have felt extremely proud this Summer. June 29th I gave Birth to a Beautiful Baby Girl, I also have a 10 year old whom has made me extremely proud recently becoming an awesome helpful big Brother.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi !
I’m Ciara Tell, founder and creative Director of WARDROBE 1987 based in the Washington DC area. I have over 20 years of Fashion retail experience and 8 years curating Vintage. I’ve worked for various Fashion brands in management, sales, and home office positions. In 2017 while rediscovering my love for thrifting, specifically Vintage, I started the brand “Love Our Styles”. Selling Vintage clothing, shoes, and accessories. I participated in various popups throughout the DMV area and showcased my brand on the local news. I began to receive great support and even was asked to participate in various fashion shows as well as DC’s “Art all night.” Fast forward to 2020, during the Quarantine, I made the decision to change the name of my brand to a name that felt more “Me.” WARDROBE 1987 was born. This time completely focusing on what I like to call “luxury fabrics,” silk, wool, linen, Cotton etc. more tailored looks and suiting. From 2017 until today my goal has always been to offer quality, timeless vintage pieces that can be complimentary to any “Wardrobe” without price being the focal point.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
That would be my Mother. Her work ethic has been a foundation for how I’ve approached my own career even with my first job. She has always shown me that working hard is apart of life if you want to achieve a goal it’s not negotiable. My mother started her career as a correctional officer after college and stayed in that career my entire k-12 journey, she worked tirelessly to take care of
Me my entire life and I’ve always hoped to have even a fraction of her determination and drive. She currently owns a successful childcare center which even now she’s there every single day making sure her children are successful and learning as they are getting ready to enter kindergarten. I listen and learn from her especially when it came to starting my own small business.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
One of my most memorable times was in 2005 when I joined the United States Army Reserve. I had recently left for training a couple of weeks prior so everything was pretty fresh and intimidating. We were completing an exercise where we had to climb about 10 feet in the air on wooden beams that mimicked stairs and take a rope down. I’m very afraid of heights so my fight or flight set in and I decided to leave the training site or at least attempt to lol. I was approached by my Drill Sergeant whom told me it was no way around not participating and I refused to the point I told them I wanted to go home. After realizing there was absolutely no way around it I conquered my fear and completed that exercise and by the end of our 9 week training I received the “Most improved Soldier” award. I learned the only way home was to get through training so I gave it my all and in the end made myself proud especially for not giving in and giving up to my fears and insecurities.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
A belief I’m committed to is providing quality affordable vintage Fashion to my DMV community. I’m serious about showing women and young Girls that there is absolutely no reason to spend a fortune in order to have a well made, quality, price conscious Wardrobe. Providing curated pieces that are made from sustainable fabrics such as Cotton, Wool, Silk, Suede etc. will always be a priority. My customers will not have to spend a household bill to own what I consider “Luxury Fabrics”.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If immortality were real, what would you build?
I would build an empire on affordability. Meaning affordable housing utilizing modern Mobile homes, affordable/sustainable clothing for Women, Men and Children. Provide access to land for families to farm and harvest food for an affordable fee or free depending on their individual family circumstances. Own affordable, quality car dealerships throughout the country selling cars $10,000 and under, overall I would provide options for American families that can possibly make day to day life a little more easier.
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Ciara Tell
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