There is an ongoing battle between major fast fashion retailers and local fashion companies. Fashion startups continue to emerge all over America. According to the latest IBISWorld’s Industry Report, there are 26,541 Fashion Designers businesses in the US as of 2023, which is an increase of 3.5% from 2022[1]. One of them is Social Sculpt, which promotes self-love & motivation by providing high-quality workout attire that makes you look and feel good. 

Fashion startups hold a special place in my heart. They often prioritize quality over quantity, have impeccable work ethics, and provide additional value to the product. This sunny Friday, I am joined by Katie Schwarz, the CEO and founder of Social Sculpt, and Grey Arnau, creative team contributor and brand’s photographer, to discuss modern fashion, women empowerment, and sustainability. 

What inspired you to launch your own brand? 

Katie: It all happened when I started to become obsessed with yoga. I went through extensive research and developed a highly educated opinion on styles, fabrics, and designs I was wearing to different workout classes. I realized that when I look good – I feel good. I had a clear understanding of what people [like me] would like to wear, and I had an important message to deliver. 

What message?

Katie: You can feel good in your skin as well as in what you’re wearing. Me and my team want to establish a brand that encourages people to master a mind-body balance. 

How do you find the golden mean between promoting activewear (which essentially helps people to get in shape) and praising self-love (which is usually associated with acceptance)?

Grey: Working out in this day and age isn’t about getting shredded or losing weight. A lot of activewear brands are getting it twisted. Spot the difference: “Wear these leggings, and you can do a hundred squats!” versus “Wear this onesie and you can conquer the world!”. Plus, clothing is a powerful self-expression tool. It states who you are right off the bat.

Katie: It’s not about how you look. It’s about feeling good mentally and physically. Do you prefer being really toned? That’s awesome! But it’s also okay to not have defined abs or big muscles. 

Is there still a pressure on women to have perfect bodies? 

Katie: Yes. I feel like that’s something that is never going to change. Hopefully, our brand inspires people to stop thinking about who they’re supposed to be and start manifesting who they want to be. 

Do you feel like, in 2023, women still need extra reminders to love themselves just the way they are?

Grey: People tend to forget about compassion and humanity. These days, women are constantly reminded that there is always room for improvement. It needs to be met with constant affirmations. Once in a while, even the strongest woman needs a reminder that she is a badass. 😉 Hype up your girlfriends and tell them they’re doing amazing. Embrace vulnerability. 

You don’t see vulnerability as a weakness?

Katie: Absolutely not. Vulnerability is iconic. 

Grey: It’s a strength. It’s sexy. It’s cool. It’s trendy, baby! *winking* Don’t be scared to put yourself on the line. Being vulnerable is what makes other people feel comfortable, welcome, and safe around you. 

Through the First Love Collection, you intend to remind individuals the feeling of their first love. Who (or what) was your first love? 

Katie: We experience first love in many different ways. First, love is something that brings you passion and purpose. Mine was gymnastics. 

Grey: Mine is photography, which is funny because I found it so much later on in life. I think first love goes deeper than the first romantic relationship. It fills you with pride and makes you love yourself. 

Why “Social Sculpt”? 

Grey: There is a deeper meaning behind both words. Social refers to the value we place within a community. 

Katie: Sculpt, on the other hand, means you can shape your body, your mind, and your life through the clothes that you wear and through the energy you create with movement. 

How many people are on the team? 

Katie: We are a group of five. We’ve been friends for almost a decade. Here in Charleston, SC, we’ve always had a community of people around us tightened in. We have gotten to know each other really close over the years. I’ve been doing most of the designing. Grey is a part of the creative team. She is also a photographer for the brand. Maddie does the product management and takes care of our website. Elli oversees social media and our graphic design. And then there’s Max, the CFO of Social Sculpt.  

Grey: We are extremely comfortable around each other, so any idea we bring to the table is met with reciprocal respect, acknowledgment, and support. We’re people who are creative in different ways. We complement each other well.

Do you find it easier or harder to navigate the fashion business world as a woman-owned business? 

Katie: Starting your own business in any field is difficult. It’s an ongoing learning process, but we’re really confident in our designs, our fabrics, and our big idea.

Grey: Our community is full of wonderful, supportive women. Our target customers are mostly female. Us being women probably makes the business development process easier. We understand women’s needs and the problems they face.

What was the main challenge you faced after the launch?

Katie: Getting the brand out there. It takes a lot of time and a lot of patience. We draw on artistic, meaningful campaigns and social media outreach to convey what we’re about and where we come from. 

Who would be a Social Sculpt’s ideal ambassador? 

Katie: Anybody who likes to move their body. Our products are made to be worn every day and everywhere. They are multifunctional, multipurpose, and exceptionally comfortable. 

One of your key values is “supporting environmental improvements that foster a sustainable future.” How does it translate into production?

Katie: We’re utilizing pre-orders to measure the demand for the product before we actually produce it. We are very driven to maintain sustainability. Our packaging is recyclable. One day, we would like to introduce recycled fabrics to our collections. 

Do you feel like, nowadays, a sustainable approach is a must for fashion brands?

Grey: Some companies, especially big ones, may use the word sustainable just for the sake of it. However, them talking about it keeps the conversation going. It is a step in the right direction. Whatever the reasoning behind it is. 

What can we expect from Social Sculpt in the foreseeable future?   

Katie: We just did a photoshoot featuring unisex wear. We are perfecting samples of products that can cater to both men and women. Clothing doesn’t necessarily need to have a gender. If you want to wear it, you should wear it. 

Grey: In the future, Social Sculpt will be genderless and accessible to different body types. This is something we keep in mind moving forward with sizing range. Product description will be more descriptive, too. One thing is clear – onesies will always be our staple. 

  [1] https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/number-of-businesses/fashion-designers-united-states/

This was written by our social media coordinator/writer, Daria Bahlai.