Quick Question
How she built a vintage brand on the ethos of authenticity.
In BustlesQuick Question, we ask women leaders all about advice.
Sami Miro Vintageis first and foremost, proudly Black woman owned.
A style icon in her own right, Miro has been making moves in the fashion world.
Ahead, Miro chats with Bustle about how she founded SMV and what tips she has for young entrepreneurs.
How do you stay dedicated to sustainability when fast fashion is such a growing industry?
For me it’s the only way.
I would never sacrifice the sustainable route versus the non-sustainable route.
The other option, it doesn’t even exist.
What has been the most rewarding part of starting your own business?
Can you tell me about the importance of sourcing and operating locally?
Our entire supply chain is within a 20 mile radius of our office.
It’s important to me because I believe in giving opportunity to the people who are within my community.
For example, in the last two years, we’ve grown tremendously.
Now, he has 20 something employees, he has a bigger facility.
What struggles have you faced that are unique to being a Black woman business owner?
I’m used to getting the weird looks from a more traditional-looking person in the industry.
I’m used to having to prove myself.
Fashion, in the grand scheme, is a very old industry without much change overall.
In my little world, I’m doing things how I want.
How did Sami Miro Vintage come to fruition?
I found my confidence as a 15-year-old girl through vintage clothing.
The high school that I went to, I was the only person of color.
Everyone was wearing very expensive luxury clothing and going along with the trends.
So I discovered thrifting and vintage by being driven by the idea of wanting to fit in.
I found this purple Lacoste polo from a thrift store that had holes [from] sun damage.
[Today] that would be so cool and way more expensive.
Back then, it was not.
However, mine was the only one in the entire world that looked the way it did.
And that is what gave me a boost of confidence for the first time.
Then it turned into a curiosity of, what life did this live before me?
When it did, it was an epiphany.
What tips do you have for young designers?
Leading with authenticity, and what you truly believe in, is the number one thing.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
This article was originally published onJune 13, 2022
