We were lucky to catch up with Michelle Durand recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Michelle, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
Developing my confidence and self-esteem has been an on going process. The impetus to that journey began with a desire to simply feel more alive, authentic and connected to life. Important to the building up process for me has been creating and learning about, growing and loving myself,
The act of creation has given me an outlet for expression as well as a place to feel connected to a source beyond myself.
As well, I suspect, I was divinely guided to yoga and meditation at a pivotal point in my life.
I must also mention of equal importance in the development of confidence for me personally, are the quality of my relationships. They have added to that sense of value in my life and have been a great source of healing, growth and joy.
Lastly , maybe most importantly, is the grace of a higher power and learning to trust its guidance and to simultaneously trust myself.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I started my journey into fashion quite simply because I found myself spending a lot of money on alterations. “Thrifting” in Los Angeles, I continually had the desire to change aspects of the clothing I bought . Simultaneously I found it really challenging to find a pair of pants (new or thrifted) that I felt had an amazing fit and kept the fit through many times of wearing them. This led me to creating my first pair of trousers that really achieved what I set out to do. They had a flattering fit on many body types, were durable, and hands down became the favorite trouser of every woman who owned a pair!
Being an independent designer meant I relied on what is referred to as “deadstock ” fabric. The last of it’s kind.
Little did I know that this constraint which had caused me so much frustration would actually become somewhat of an asset as well fit my desire to be more mindful of resources.
What I am most proud of is that I create a product that is more sustainable and provides an element of “almost “one of a kind due to the use of “deadstock” fabric. There are only a small handful in each “deadstock” fabric per design. This makes it feel really special and unique.
So far due to the size of DURAND I have also been able to offer custom fittings and collaborations with individual clients and it is one of my favorite offerings.
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?
Looking back I would say the qualities that served me most were valuing connection , staying growth oriented and developing a spiritual orientation towards life and business. These are just things that I feel have served me personally .
The valuing of connection has kept me more self aware in the challenging situations that arrive inevitably while pursuing something you love and want to grow.
Staying growth oriented helps me stay grounded and in place of openness and curiosity to next steps.
Having a spiritual orientation keeps me connected to the fact that what I do impacts others and to have a sense of a bigger picture. I am constantly asking what can the next right evolution be? How can this project be of service and why does it feel important?
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
Loved me for exactly who I am .
Contact Info:
- Website: www.durand.la
- Instagram: @durandcollection
Image Credits
1 @darrenvargas.jpeg 2 @noah.dye 3 @og_nazarova 4 Bryony Shearmur 5 @og_nazarova
