Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamey Garrett.
Hi Jamey, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Growing up, I was taking clothing a part and putting it back together in a different way long, before I knew what “upcycling” was. I loved art, and wanted to be creating all the time! My mother and my Nana inspired me to start sewing, and I dreamed about being a fashion designer from a young age and have worked over the last 20+ years pursuing and perfecting my craft. Becoming an entrepreneur has allowed me to do it on my own terms.
I graduated from Radford University with a BS in Fashion Design, and moved to NYC working for big fashion brands like Michael Kors when I realized that “fast fashion” wasn’t for me, and I wanted a more hands on approach. The fashion industry is the second most polluting industry in the world, and I did not want to be a part of the waste but try to be a part of a solution.
I opened MamerSass (may-mer-sass) Reinvented Fashions where I rescued and re-invented unwanted textiles and vintage clothing. I ran a Mobile Clothing Store; a bus turned shop on wheels, that popped up at music festivals like Electric Forrest and on college campuses partnering with sustainability and fashion programs at Virginia Tech, VCU and MICA, just to name a few. I spoke to students about entrepreneurship as they came aboard our “living classroom”. Traveling the east coast spreading the “gospel” about the importance of textile recycling while creating and selling one of kind goods made from recycled materials was really rewarding.
In 2020, after 6 years in business, the Covid 19 Pandemic hit and the world shut down, and so did all of the events/business lined up; all gone. In addition, my husband and I found out we were expecting our first child, and we had to pivot to adapt to all these unexpected changes, however happy and sad.
The pandemic shutdown was the re-set we didn’t know we needed, it allowed us to come back, with a smarter, more re-defined version of our business by a new name; Richmond Sewing Company.
Changing our business name, making it easier for people to find us online and really focusing on my design and tailoring skills I realized how in-demand a good tailor is, especially in a AI dominated world. Offering a service instead of just a product was a key change that has helped elevate our business.
I started doing bridal specific alterations full time in 2023, when I met Christine Greenberg and Jen Haines, owner of Urban Set Bride in Church Hill, RVA. They took a chance on me by recommending me to their brides, and their trust in me to take care of their brides, is an amazing feeling. I love working with women, and being a part of the bridal community in Richmond has been a great experience.
Richmond Sewing Co. is all about making brides feel good in their gown by making it fit amazingly well, but by also helping brides feel their most confident self! Brides like working with us because we offer an un-rushed, low stress experience, we are grateful for so many positive 5 star Google reviews! I also have a big book of business still providing those vintage gown re-makes which connects me back to what I has doing all along, upcycling. Sustainability is still at the forefront of our business that is why we also offer brides the opportunity to re-purpose their Mother’s gown to be worn again for either their rehearsal dinner, ceremony or reception or even to be re-made into a “getting ready robe”. It is such an honor to be able to give a family heirloom a second life, and be able to be apart of someone’s wedding day is really special.
Garment tailors are aging out of industry and there aren’t a lot of young people coming up filling those jobs. I want to help change that providing training for young designers who can learn the bridal alterations trade. The skillset is very specific, being able to create a program within Richmond Sewing Co. is something I’d like to do.
I am hopeful about the future of sewing and alterations however, I feel our skills are under valued since “fast fashion” is so cheap to buy, the idea that alterations shouldn’t be more than you spent on the garment is still a prevalent idea for some, which is literally a joke, for so many reasons! I hope that more people will spend more money on higher quality garments and plan to have them longer. Or buy second hand, which increases the lifespan of the original garment. I love that upcycling things has been increasingly popular and I am glad I can be a part of that trend and try to use fashion and design in a positive way!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Yes, and no, closing our business due to Covid was rough, and unexpected.
Over the last 3 years I am so impressed how fast word of mouth has worked for people finding out about my services from a friend who got married, or someone who knows someone who used my services. I am of course using social media to showcase my work online but besides that, building great relationship with bridal shops has been one of the best things I can do, and of course my hardwork is paying off in that way, I am busy!!!!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Bridal Alterations and Custom Designs. I am also known for how well I can upcycle vintage wedding dresses into wearable garments again. Whether we’ve completely re-made it or brought it back to its former glory- either way I am the one to see for something like that!! I am proud of the woman. I try really hard to be present when with my kids and I know I’m not perfect, but I really feel like I’m crushing it as an entrepreneur and Mom. Its not easy balancing it all but I also know I have a great teammate my husban, Derek that holds it down for me!
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
When my family created a studio in my
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.richmondsewing.com
- Instagram: @richmondsewing
- Other: https://g.page/r/Caoj4okjvGntEBM/review
