The Evolution of Dolly Pearl

In April, I will be coming up on the 3rd anniversary of the birth of Dolly Pearl. Many of you knew how I actually started the line, but for those of you who don’t, let me tell you the story:

It was the end of my first year at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) in NYC, and I was sewing for fun (it seemed ages ago that I actually loved sewing). One night, I decided I was going to make a top for myself to wear, and after I finished, I beamed at it, happy and proud of myself for having done it in less than an hour. My husband looked at it and said, “You know, you could start your own line.”. It felt like a total lightbulb moment to me. I thought, ‘wait a minute, I actually can!’ That moment was the birth of Dolly Pearl. I decided to quit school and start my own line. I was confident in my sewing abilities, technical knowledge, and design aesthetic.

When I first started the line, I began to sell individual pieces on Etsy.com (an amazing site for handmade and vintage pieces). I posted a few designs on the site, created a logo, and began to plan my collection. To my absolute surprise, I woke up the next morning to see that I had sold my first piece—all within a day of posting it on the site. I actually couldn’t quite believe it. Someone wanted to purchase my designs? Really? No, seriously? I was floored. After months of successful sales via Etsy, I knew I had something very very special.

As with every line, there is a slow evolution that occurs. I wanted to post a handful of photos of my first pieces on Etsy, and show you how much different the line is today from 3 years ago. Amazing isn’t it? I have grown so much with the line, and I am just so amazingly proud of how Dolly Pearl has positively affected and inspired others. It is now a full on special occasion and bridal line, and I am immensely happy with the reception it has received. It makes me happy to know that independent designers can work insanely hard, have people believe in their work, and for them to see success (in their eyes) from it. The support I receive with this line is more than I can ask for. Dolly Pearl is moving towards the direction I have always dreamed for it, and it has been quite a whirlwind.

To this day, my reaction is still the same as it was when I made my first piece. I finish a new design in the wee hours of the morning, sit and stare at it, and think to myself, “Wow. I am just SO happy.” I literally feel my body filling up with joy. So this is how it feels to love what you do, and do what you love. I wish someone had pushed me to do it sooner, but I realize that the timing was just right.