We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Emma Gerber. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Emma below.
Emma, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
I keep my creativity alive by always taking a moment to let myself rest and be inspired. I studied film at the University of Southern California so I take the time to take my mind off work and immerse myself in a movie to get my creative wheels turning. Being fully immersed in another world, one created by the filmmaker, inspires me and reinvigorates my desire to be creative especially when working on a photo shoot or a new Claudent collection.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am the Co-Founder and Creative Director of Claudent. I founded the brand alongside my lifelong friend Mia Zee who brought the idea of sun protective apparel to me after she was diagnosed with a sun allergy. What’s most exciting to me about Claudent is that there really isn’t any other sun protective apparel doing what we do in our space. We first and foremost make clothes that we want to wear and then ensure that our custom inherent UPF 50+ fabrics come in hand feels that nobody associated with sun protective apparel before — think cotton poplin, a luxurious rib.
We just launched our new collection today, May 20th, which is focused on your every day summer wardrobe. Flattering and comfortable Drawstring Pants, chic button up cover ups, your everyday button up and more all in UPF50+.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Optimism — I always believed that we’d be able to launch this brand the way we wanted to. Even when things are hard and frustrating I have to believe that it will work out.
Courage — you have to have courage in your convictions when starting a brand. If you don’t believe in what you’re doing you can’t expect anyone else to.
Experience in the field — all of my previous experiences, whether it was in fashion, beauty or hospitality, helped me understand how to build a wholistic brand.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
For me it’s definietly to go all out in your strengths and find people who are strong where you aren’t. I think investing in yourself and what you’re good at, how you can do it in your own way is more important than being more baseline across the board. One of my favorite parts of my partnership with my co-founder is that we understand not only our own strengths and weaknesses but also each others. We’re able to support each other and take the reins when we need to and give the other space to excel where they’re more talented.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.claudent.com
- Instagram: @shop.claudent
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/95033217/admin/feed/posts/
Image Credits
Benet Perez and Ethan Gulley
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