In a latest one-on-one interview, we had the privilege of sitting down with entrepreneur Chelsea Griffin. The burgeoning trend mogul shared insights into her life: her journey from “The X Issue” to launching her personal trend line La Dama, and her dedication to physique positivity.
From a younger tv present contestant to a trend entrepreneur, Griffin’s story is one in all perseverance, creativity, and a dedication to embracing one’s pure magnificence.
Washington Informer (WI): Let’s start firstly, Chelsea. Who’re you?
Chelsea Griffin: I’m Chelsea Griffin, an entrepreneur. I first stepped into the limelight in 2011 once I was a contestant on “X Issue.” That was my platform to attach with folks, and that’s the place I began to rise.
WI: Only for readability, once you say “X Issue,” you imply the expertise present akin to “America’s Obtained Expertise”?
Griffin: Sure, exactly. I signed a contract and carried out alongside judges like Gary Barlow from “Take That,” and Kelly Rowland from Future’s Youngster. Nevertheless, [“X Factor”] was primarily U.Okay.-based.
WI: How did your position as a contestant on “X Issue” result in what you’re doing now?
Griffin: At 16, “X Issue” opened my eyes. It was a platform for networking, which ultimately allowed me to see the opposite aspect of the business, like trend. I participated in shoots and began doing issues myself, like make-up, which led to my turning into an expert make-up artist. Furthermore, I had at all times needed to get into modeling, so I joined an company.
Nevertheless, at the moment, the modeling business wasn’t very inclusive, with strict standards for top and dimension. I promised myself that if the chance ever arose, I’d inform ladies that they’re excellent simply the way in which they’re. That is the philosophy that impressed La Dama.
WI: Inform us extra about La Dama.
Griffin: La Dama started as a motion through the pandemic. It was a message to girls that their pure selves have been lovely and unique, a distinction to the precise physique sorts perpetuated by platforms like Victoria’s Secret. We needed girls to simply accept their imperfections, resembling stretch marks and scars. With time, La Dama developed from a motion to a model, and from retail to on-line, providing providers, administration, occasion group, and PR.
WI: La Dama, in some ways, appears paying homage to Rihanna’s Fenty model, which additionally promotes physique positivity. How do you understand La Dama at this level, and what’s in retailer for the model?
Griffin: We’re aiming for La Dama to develop as massive as Fenty, which is an inspiration in relation to empowering girls. We additionally plan to broaden our attain to incorporate males and the transgender group.
WI: What’s the subsequent step for La Dama?
Griffin: La Dama has expanded from simply lingerie. We’re a service now. We help different folks and companies. We lately labored with the BBC, Zeus Community, and La Dama collaborated with Jamie Foxx for a birthday occasion in London, which my fashions attended. We’re contemplating re-entering platforms like ASOS, however presently promote direct to shoppers on-line. Whereas the model drives our visibility, we do extra than simply retail. We’ve labored with Vogue Italia – we provide providers, administration, and occasion group. It’s simply me in the intervening time, however I’m doing rather a lot with the [La Dama] model.
WI: How can these considering La Dama join with you or faucet into the upcoming occasions and exhibits?
Griffin: We’ve partnered with Luxs London for London Vogue Week. We’ll have an upcoming runway occasion that includes worldwide designers, some even from Thailand. The following massive occasion will probably be a large-scale runway present subsequent yr, happening within the U.Okay. We now have some worldwide collaborations within the works, so keep tuned in case you’re in New York or D.C.!
Keep tuned for model updates and upcoming occasions on Instagram.