TO COLLABORATE AND BEYOND!
Collaborating requires you to let go of control. I'm not mad about it.
If we're being honest, work ethic is often driven by competition, comparison and pride. It's exhausting, and the end result of “success” is like a vapor that you cannot hold onto. There is more joy and wisdom in working together. As we're closer to securing an office space to make collaborating possible every day, I've been reflecting on what collaboration actually means. It's not about going it alone or being the most efficient. It's truly about relationships. So in my best Buzz Lightyear voice, I'll declare “to collaborate, and beyond!”
Meanwhile, our design collaboration with Created Colorful has been coming to life. Sure, I could have put together another capsule faster on my own, but my soul has been full of joy walking through the process with them.
WHY CREATED COLORFUL?
When collaboration was declared our word of the year for 2025, some women immediately came to mind. Two were on the team at Created Colorful, which is a color analysis company. Kim is the creative director, and had been a long time fan of our work. I also had the pleasure of connecting with the founder, Lindsey, when she walked in our last show during New York Fashion Week. Plainly said, I like them a lot. Kindness matters.
I reached out because I always have more to learn from others, and fresh perspective is invaluable. Their passion would make a collaboration feel purposeful, even if it somehow doesn't increase our impact in Nepal which simply cannot be a possibility, considering the designs!
I sent them an email back in January:
They were just as excited to say yes, as was mine to hear them say yes! Jumped right into a mood board, and then a few months for the team in Nepal and myself to develop the ideas into samples. It all got real when we met at Lindsey's home office for our review. It was the most fun workday for me so far this year!
WHAT THEY SAID
Lindsey: I'm incredibly proud of the way our content team and Katie came together on this, and I think each person's voice and vision made the whole collection better. It is just so fulfilling creating something with your friends, putting a part of your hearts into the world that others will hopefully wear and find joy in.
Kim: Collaborating with Elegantees has been such an incredible experience. Knowing that we are helping trafficking survivors find their footing again is something that I feel most excited and passionate about for this collaboration. I'm really happy that we're able to introduce this amazing brand to our Created Colorful fam!
Octavia: It's honestly been so fun watching four distinct styles come together to create one cohesive collection with intention. Katie is a total genius (like, how does she do it?). I'm excited to see how everyone puts their own spin on the pieces we've created.
RELEASE DATE
In a few months, we'll unveil this special capsule sometime in between our regular fall releases. So what to do in the meantime? Well, if you're curious about color analysis, get your colors done with Created Colorful!
Know your colors to make shopping Elegantees even better. Our capsule is being merchandised by seasons, and there will be a filter to display sub-seasons and sister-seasons when the capsule drops!
For me personally? Knowing what colors don't do myself justice helps save time because I know to skip those. I've been stepping out of my comfort zone in the most delightful way by trying my wow colors too! As for the colors that are good but not my wow colors, I still wear the ones that make me feel pretty because it's all about confidence. Color analysis a helpful tool that I'm glad for. Not only has it been a game-changer for fashion design and styling, but for my personal wardrobe too.
NEW YORK OFFICE UPDATE
I've been reaching out to contacts for getting a space. Some of you have also helped pour into our Grant fund for the office, and it's really touched my heart. Thank you for believing in the dream with me!
The purpose of this office space is to make collaborating with fashion interns fruitful. Aside from working together with them, I desire to share my personal experiences and wisdom with these young women who were once in my shoes.
In Freedom,
Katie
Katie
