Beyond The Runway Interview Series: Featuring Unjaded
- The Concept: BVFW
- Mar 3
- 3 min read
BVFW PRESENTS: BEYOND THE RUNWAY INTERVIEW SERIES
Hi and thank you for taking the time to share your story with Bovtiqve Fashion Week. Our goal is to continue to inspire the fashion community on all levels to pursue their dreams. And we believe by sharing others success stories or stories of inspiration, that could be of benefit to those who seek the information. Welcome to BVFW and this is our Beyond The Runway Interview Series!
Give the readers an introduction to your brand. Share what sets your brand apart from others.
Every Unjaded piece has it’s own personality, styles ranging from grungy streetwear to elevated basics to avant garde. Sustainability and supporting slow fashion is a top brand priority, with almost exactly half of the product being upcycled from donated and thrifted clothing that is repurposed into new, unique silhouettes. I, the designer Emily Kropp, am a 19 year old student at LIM College in NYC and have always had a passion for the business of fashion.
Explain your thought process behind starting your own brand. What motivated you to even try?
I started experimenting with sewing in high school- I’ve always been drawn to the arts but I think it was a combination of my mother working in fashion and my own desire to make a positive impact that led me to pre-college FIT classes and then to launching my brand in April 2023 (my senior year.) Before that, I was working on launching another brand with a group of acquaintances which fell apart before it became anything, but I learned a lot about both working with manufacturers and designing a website. I realized that I could do it on my own if I wanted it enough and I absorbed and applied everything I knew, I sew/construct my pieces myself, and have only used a manufacturer for one Unjaded piece which I will actually be showing in Paris.
What does Beyond The Runway mean to you?
To me, Beyond The Runway is to get to know the designer, the inspiration and the brand story. I think knowing the story behind the clothing is really important to appreciate what is behind it.
Why did you pursue fashion as a career/hobby?
I have always been very conscious of style and the way I present myself, and I have wanted to be in the fashion industry for years- I would make collages from my moms Vogue and Valentino magazines, Pinterest outfit boards for every occasion and started making fashion content on social media. One thing about me is I am extremely visual and hands-on, I could never work a regular 9-5 but when I’m designing, I can and have worked for 20 hours straight and to me that was enjoyable. All I want is to create and inspire.
Who motivates you to pursue your dreams and never give up?
At the end of the day, my business has come together and grown because I believe in myself and my designs, but I would be nothing without my support system. I am forever grateful to my parents and my family who have given me a lot of support while I’ve been chasing my (kind of expensive) dreams, I still can’t believe I had my first runway this past fall for NYFW and am now about to showcase in Paris and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them, so thank you mom and dad. My boyfriend Matthew has also been invaluable for both my mental health and business, he is my partner, in-house photographer and keeps me sane when I’m feeling the pressure. I wish I could mention everyone who has impacted me and helped along my journey, especially friends and Unjaded customers- I remember every single person who has a piece from me and there is no better motivation then that feeling.
Website
@unj4d3d
@unj4d3d
Youtube
@unj4d3d
Image Credits: Matt Casey @matt.casey1
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