Today we’d like to introduce you to Madalyn Manzeck.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Growing up, I wanted to attend Harvard and become a cardiologist. Fashion was never a career option for me, it was purely a hobby. I started sewing when I was 16 because I wanted to make my own prom dress for Junior Prom. My sewing instructor, Nichole Schneider, was the one who told me that if fashion was my passion it could become my career. I applied to design schools and was accepted to Parsons in NYC; however, I opted for the University of Wisconsin-Madison since it was a better fit for me. I interned with Paul Andrew and Donna Karan at New York Fashion Week and spent the summer of 2015 as the Fabric Research and Development intern at Global Brands Group located in the Empire State Building in New York City.
I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with Dean’s High Honors in May 2016 and received a Bachelor of Science in Textile and Apparel Design. Instead of working my way up the corporate ladder, upon graduation, I decided to pursue my own designs and works as a fashion designer creating bespoke items under my own brand, Madalyn Joy Designs. I opened a studio space in Port Washington, WI where I work on my custom designs and meets with clients for appointments and fittings. I absolutely love working one on one with my clients and I enjoy working on the entire design process from start to finish.
Madalyn Joy Designs debuted the “Flora and Fauna” collection in September at Milwaukee Fashion Week and had the distinct honor of winning the Fashion Designer of the Year 2017 Award in addition to Best Presentation and Most Likely To Become A Fashion Icon. Designs from the collection were chosen to be featured in the Runway 27 fashion show at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. Madalyn Joy Designs recently debuted their F/W 18 collection called “Femme Fatale” on the Milwaukee Fashion Week runway.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Absolutely not! Starting my own business right away after college has been THE most difficult challenge of my life but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The rewards outweigh the struggles. Starting my own business has already taught me so many life lessons on a variety of topics such as taxes, paperwork, social media, networking, and simply learning how to work with people. The biggest challenge the brand faces is raising capital in order to grow. We are at a tough place where we can’t afford to pay back a loan but haven’t received any grants we have applied for. So, we are working each day to raise capital in order to create a better experience and better products for our clients.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Madalyn Joy Designs is an award-winning lingerie and loungewear company that embraces and celebrates contemporary femininity, body positivity, and female empowerment through beautifully handcrafted lingerie. The modern woman who wears Madalyn Joy lingerie feels beautiful and confident while rocking classic silhouettes with delicate lacy details and modern bold lines. Today’s modern woman is complex and multi-faceted and Madalyn Joy lingerie has been developed with that lifestyle in mind. Madalyn Joy Designs empowers women by offering an exclusive bespoke lingerie service that allows the client to customize her product from fit to style.
We pride ourselves on the fact that we use high-quality materials such as Italian silk charmeuse, Chantilly lace, and corded and beaded hand-sewn appliques. The quality of the materials really affects the outcome of the piece from look to fit. Also, the fact that the client is literally able to custom their piece from color to style to trim to fit. It is so rewarding to see how much a client loves watching their idea become a reality.
What were you like growing up?
I was painfully shy! I hated going back to school each year because I preferred to just be at home with my family. I definitely was a homebody and suffered from social anxiety for most of my childhood. It wasn’t until high school when I really started to enjoy social functions and networking. Now I absolutely love it!! I love meeting new people and talking to them about their lives and interests. It is so crazy how life works out that way!
Even though I was shy growing up, I was very curious and tried just about every sport/hobby available to me form swim team to soccer to rock climbing to horseback riding to skiing to ballroom dance. I am so thankful my parents were always so supportive because it really helped me find what I loved at an early age. Once I started sewing lessons, I felt like the stars aligned because it came pretty naturally to me. I always say it is how my brain thinks and functions in terms of garment construction so there was no looking back after that!
Pricing:
- All of our current styles are listed on our online shop which provides pricing information.
- Pricing for the true bespoke items varies depending on what the client wants.
- Our price range on our website is from $100-$500 but bespoke items can go up from there.
Contact Info:
- Address: 222 E Main Street Suite 234 Port Washington, WI 53074
- Website: www.madalynjoydesigns.com
- Phone: 2624839078
- Email: madalynjoydesigns@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madalynjoydesigns/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madalynjoydesigns/
Image Credit:
Nicole Petrie, Taylor Fredrick, Moriah Ziman, Tif Cohen, Lori Zolp, Sophia Andries, Lakisha Sutton, Tatyanna Derzon, Kelsey Amber, Chelsea Rotter, Catherine Finedore, Madison Marten, Sam Krusic, Keagan Van Eperen, Oliver Whiting, Brooke Schry, Reilly Koch, Brooke Komas, Amy Lancaster, and Claire Bromley
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