Today we’d like to introduce you to Audrey Utti.
Hi Audrey, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I think I leaned into designing to practice being more authentic. After a sudden and necessary departure from a Ph.D. program, I finally got the space to focus on health and figure things out. Fashion design was an itch that wouldn’t go away, so I found myself at a fashion community meeting a few months later. There, I was advised to get into modeling so I could learn more about the industry. It worked- I saw what went on behind the scenes, met all sorts of interesting people, and became aware of the incredible amount of work designers/models/artists/producers/etc. put into making it all happen.
During this time, I found curricula at universities that offered fashion design courses and used them to guide my learning. Fabrics, sewing techniques, and pattern drafting were the big ones to figure out! By the summer of 2018, I finished a 16-piece collection, Reign of Flowers, for a show later that year. I was proud, but as I continued learning and getting into published research about fashion, the impact it has on fellow humans and the environment became clear. My inspiration comes from nature, so I was suddenly at odds with this part of me I was exploring.
Since then, I’ve delved deeper into published research and attended seminars on circularity, what sustainability really means and looks like across the chain, and the experience for our fellow humans who are part of the entire process. After a lot of brainstorming and discussion, we took the stance of ‘progress in sustainability.’ We feel this stance is more accurate; every point along the creation of a garment can be tackled, and each point has its own layers and levels of sustainability!
Now we’re here with our handmade, small studio in Houston, TX! We make each piece and don’t hold any inventory. I’ve focused my energy on couture construction, natural fabrics, and recycling/upcycling/circularity efforts. My belief is: quality construction + awesome materials = clothing longevity. The longer we keep our clothes in play, the better it is for our environment.
We’re also working circularity into our model and plan on rolling it out this year! When customers feel their piece is well-loved and ready to go, they’ll be able to send it back to us to be upcycled, recycled, or composted. Our leftover materials, scraps, and the samples I create are saved to make accessories like scrunchies and hair bows. All our packaging is recycled/recyclable and/or compostable. And we got another ‘more sustainable’ collection down the runway at Austin Fashion Week in April 2023. The feedback and support we’ve received have been incredibly motivating- there are many ways to participate in fashion more sustainably! It’s all very exciting.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
We constantly have conversations about how to improve each part of our process. Implementing these improvements is sometimes easier said than done. Finding the right sources can be time-consuming: it doesn’t exist yet, or we find it, but the expense is impressive. We are handmade/made-to-order in the USA, which comes with its own value, but some improvements mean more expensive materials/processes that we don’t want to pass down to the customer. Finding that balance- keeping Audyssy handmade in the USA with organic/natural fabrics and finding a fair price point that is accessible but allows us to operate- can be a challenge.
There’s also the issue of scope creep- all the sustainable possibilities are so exciting, and you want to implement everything at once! This can be overwhelming as you realize that each idea requires heavy research, connecting with the right people, and serious trial and error (if you want to do it right). I’ve had to learn to focus on one idea at a time and to have some grace with the time it takes to do it right.
Lastly, I think getting over myself was a struggle! It took a few years, a few collections, and many people pushing me before I felt I could sell my work. I constantly proclaimed that I wouldn’t sell my pieces “…until the insides looked better than what you can find in retail.” I shake my head when I think about it now, but I used to turn down offers to purchase pieces from my runway shows! I eventually got over myself (and surpassed the standard of quality I wanted), but figured out that perfectionism and fear may have been preventing me from getting my work out there. There isn’t anything wrong with having high standards as a driving force, but it can easily teeter into perfectionism.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
So far, with Audyssy, I specialize in more sustainable, comfortable, casual women’s clothing with character. I stick giant pockets wherever I can and think a lot about how to make a garment last longer in terms of construction and style. I’ve also been experimenting with ways to make evening wear more sustainable. One of my collections, Leia, featured evening gowns made with cotton (organic and conventional) and recycled materials. I think I’m most proud of the constant practice I put into my craft and the steady progress I get out of it. I’m incredibly blessed to pursue the things that bring me fulfillment and to have the most amazing friends and family rooting for us.
Apart from running Audyssy Designs with my amazing husband, Anshul, I teach with the Department of Psychology at the University of St. Thomas and manage for Revalushion Management Agency. It took a bit to find a way to bring it all in, but I deeply enjoy being a part of each world. I find that the experiences I have in each area inspire my work and approach as a designer.
What matters most to you?
Physical and mental health is crucial. Everything you’re working so hard for can come to a standstill if health is not a priority. Apart from taking care of what we put in our bodies and getting regular check-ups, this also looks like nurturing and protecting real connections with dear family and friends, taking time to rest and recharge, and being authentic. Really embracing and owning who you are feels like the only way to get close to whatever we’re meant to do while we’re here. It allows us to tap into our unique magic and keep life simple. I’d say these are what matters the most at this point in my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.audyssydesigns.com
- Instagram: @audyssy.designs
- Other: www.etsy.com/shop/AudyssyDesigns
Image Credits
Roger Robinson
Emex Nwogu
Anshul Tailor
Eddy Enriquez
