Today we’d like to introduce you to Candice Collison.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have always been interested in fashion and have spent my career in eCommerce and advertising, specifically in either the Retail or eCommerce sectors. After spending some time working at The North Face in eCommerce, I knew I wanted to start my own business and dreamt of opening an online boutique. While in grad school at Northwestern University studying for my MBA, I started developing an idea to focus on American-made fashion and lifestyle brands. As a consumer, I care deeply about the story of the brands outfitting my wardrobe and felt frustrated over the dramatic shift to overseas manufacturing of brands I had known to be American-made and high quality. What I observed was a decline in garment quality while still paying designer prices. I also became more educated and thoughtful about the factory conditions of the garment works, resources and waste that went into making trendy fashion. In response to the state of fashion consumption, I decided to open Mod + Ethico: a store that curates a more mindful selection of emerging designers.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road to building the business has can with challenges which have also presented themselves as opportunities to pivot. The most challenging obstacle when we launched, one that we still experience, is educating people on ethical fashion. People still do not quite grasp the damage that the industry has on people and the environment. Movements like Fashion Revolution help, but there is still a default towards ignorance and apathy. Fashion is now accessible to all walks of life through fast fashion outlets.
Another major strain is tackling content generation and advertising. This takes a great deal of time and financial investment, but there are areas to invest heavily in time, and way to save financially and visa versa, but it took me a while to navigate this world. I could have saved a great deal of money if I had been a bit scrappier up front.
My advice is to come up with several scenarios, do not take one option as your only option, even if it seems to be. Persist, don’t take “no” for an answer. Do not sign anything that does not feel right to you. If it feels off, follow your instincts.
We’d love to hear more about Mod + Ethico.
When I first launched the business, I focused on American-made and local Chicago designers. So, those were two early guiding principles for the apparel and accessories we merchandise. While I still prioritize American-made and Chicago-made. I have since broadened, yet in some ways narrowed the criteria to also factor in sustainability. We now seek to improve the effects that we have on people and the environment throughout the entire lifecycle of an item. We seek organic and PCR (post-consumer recycled) materials, low-impact dyes, vegetable-tanned leather, charitable causes, and second-hand or up-cycled items.
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
When I was little, my mom was very stylish, so that left an impression on me. In high school, I would wear scarves, and I had this favorite black and gold herringbone pencil skirt that I would pair with knee high boots. I went for a polished, slightly more mature look.
I also loved art, I built my own portfolio; I was attracted to quirky design (and still am) from my personal style to interior decorating. When I was about 9, I would sketch dresses and dream of becoming a designer.
From a fair trade, labor ethics, and quality perspective, my dad really influenced me here. He is a contractor and has always worked as a builder. Manual labor is in my family, and I see how hard it is on the body and spirit. This inspired me to demand fair working conditions from farm to loom, to factory worker, throughout the supply chain.
Pricing:
- We are developing capsule inspired technical wear for women, with moms in mind. Cardigans compatible with pregnancy, travel, and baby-wearing at a $117 price point.
- Baby wrap for $92
- Technical capsule pieces, like wrap dress for $120
- Ponte maternity pants for $110
Contact Info:
- Website: modandethico.com
- Email: info@modandethico
- Instagram: instagram.com/modandethico
- Facebook: facebook.com/modandethico
Image Credit:
Megan Jedlinksi
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