Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Negron.
Vanessa, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
rompzz is a love story. I am originally from Toronto, Canada, where I worked and taught in the fashion industry. In 2014 I got married and moved to Brooklyn, New York for love. It was incredibly hard leaving my family and friends, my jobs, my city and my country that I love so dearly, yet it was an easy decision moving to be with the love of my life.
It was an extremely tough time for me when I first moved to Brooklyn. I have a big, lovely family that I’m very close to and they have always been a huge support system for me. Not having them around was very difficult.
Starting my life in Brooklyn was both scary and exciting. I was so happy to be with my husband but felt the void of my family, friends and life back home. My life in Brooklyn felt more like an extension of my husband’s life, not my own. It didn’t feel like home for a while. He was a home for me, but that was it. I needed something familiar.
I found a sewing studio called Brooklyn Stitchery close to where I live. I was able to make my wedding dress and veil, as our apartment was too small for a sewing machine. As soon as I walked in, it felt like home. I was eventually hired as a Sewing and Pattern Drafting Instructor for both children and adults. Working there was such a great source of inspiration. I loved drafting patterns and sewing new samples for the studio. I started to feel like myself again. Sewing gave me what I needed and craved. It felt familiar. I thought I had to give everything up for love, when in fact I didn’t.
Following my heart led me to follow my dreams. I began making clothes for my nieces and nephew because I wanted them to remember how much I love them. This re-sparked my love of sewing and design and rompzz was born. Love brought me to Brooklyn. Love is in every garment I design and make. Love is what inspires me. Love created rompzz.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like many other small businesses, the biggest struggle thus far has been the emergence of COVID-19. I was deep into production for rompzz Spring/Summer 2020 when the COVID-19 epidemic slammed the world. That’s when the rompzz “pause” began. I usually wake up every morning, excited to start my 10hr+ day working on my new Spring Collection, but this season has been very different. I hadn’t had the heart nor motivation to work on anything rompzz when I knew so many people around the world, country and city were being so tragically affected as well as knowing all the first responders, front line and essential workers were risking their lives.
I decided to put production on pause and redirect my focus onto the fight against the pandemic. We are now voluntarily making masks for various organizations, groups, essential workers and food pantries in our local area who are in need. Trying to help stop the spread, help save lives and keep people protected is currently our main goal.
However, rompzz will be unpausing soon, as we must keep hopes and dreams alive. We will have a new line of eco-conscious masks available for purchase shortly, with proceeds benefiting a local food pantry in Bensonhurst Brooklyn called Reaching Out Community Services. We will also be looking onward to rompzz production of a few summer classic graphic T’s and our new eco-conscious Fall/Winter 2020 Collection.
The main ongoing struggle for me is being a one woman show in a new, small business. My husband continues to be a pillar of support. He helps with everything that I need to make for the markets including many errands that need to be completed. The rest of the responsibilities fall on my shoulders. I design, draft all patterns, cut, sew and do all rompzz production. I created the rompzz website and am responsible for keeping it updated along with all other social media platforms. I know that a strong online presence is the biggest and best form of advertising, but I struggle with prioritizing updates because my efforts are focused on creating and producing. Though it’s a major hurdle, my love for rompzz continues to be my driving force!
Please tell us about your business.
rompzz is an edgy, eco-conscious unisex clothing line for kids who can’t hide their cool. We believe in the importance of neutrality in designing garments that don’t conform to gender stereotyping. We are very proud that we can successfully design a unisex clothing line that is not confined to the common black, grey and white. Instead, rompzz is limitless, breaking open the boundaries of unisex clothing to that of colors and prints that allow kids to express their imagination without borders or divisions. We also take pride in offering quality garments that are handmade in Brooklyn, New York
rompzz is best known for offering unisex streetwear for kids that is eco-conscious. What really sets rompzz apart from other kids clothing brands is our use of bamboo rayon, organic cotton and other sustainable fabrics; all without compromising our edge and funky style.
This year rompzz is proud to announce that we will only be using organic, eco-friendly and sustainable OEKO-TEX certified fabrics for both our Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter collections going forward. Only fabrics that have been tested for harmful substances and manufactured using sustainable processes under environmentally friendly and socially responsible working conditions will be used to produce rompzz clothing.
rompzz is also happy to introduce our adult line of clothing this year. Last year we had numerous customers requesting adult sizes in our popular rompers. We sampled the market and it was a huge success! This year rompzz will carry adult sizes in a few of our signature pieces to have some Mom & Me and Dad & Me options. Our size range for kids starts at Newborn up to children’s size eight and for Adults, size S, M, L, but we are open to custom order for other sizes.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
There have been numerous proud moments for me, but the proudest moment so far was when we did our very first pop-up with FAD Market at City Point Mall in downtown Brooklyn. I remember my husband and I had just finished setting up our booth. We were nervous, anxious and very excited to see how people would receive rompzz. I remember hearing a loud GASP! When I looked to see what was going on, I saw two young women, stopped dead in their tracks, staring at our booth in shock. They instantly began gushing about how they loved our clothing and how stylish and unique it was! We were ecstatic and so proud! That was the first of many more gasps that day and beyond. What made this experience more special was that rompzz was not only appealing to women and mothers, but to men also. Fathers, uncles and grandfathers were excited to shop when they saw rompzz! They were so happy to see something that they could purchase for their daughters that they said wasn’t too “girly” and that took on a style they had or wished they had. That is what continues to make me proud; that my customers are from all walks of life, looking for a gift that is unique, stands out and that they are excited and proud to give their loved one. That gives me ongoing pride, drive and excitement for the future of rompzz.
The most recent work that I am proud of is that rompzz has donated 400+ masks to essential workers and food banks in our local area. As a result of our efforts, we are extremely excited to now be partnering with our local food bank called Reaching Out Community Services to continue our donation of masks for families in need. We will be donating part our of proceeds from any masks sold on rompzz.com to Reaching Out Community Services’ ongoing efforts.
Pricing:
- Personalized Beanies $30
- Kids clothing price range $30 – $60
- Adult clothing price range $30 – $110
- Masks – Children/Adults $8 – $10
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rompzz.com
- Email: info@rompzz.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rompzzkidswear
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rompzz.childrenswear.5
Image Credit:
rompzz
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