MAYD IN CHYNA - Ethical Fashion with Teresa Perna. Read the full interview here.
When did you first realize you wanted to become a fashion designer?
I’m not sure that I knew that I wanted to become a fashion designer per se, but I did know that I liked to use my hands to create anything be it in landscaping, crafts, food, interior design and of course artistically styling pieces of clothing both new pieces and vintage ones that were my mom’s. So fashion designing just developed over the years as a result of this artistic creation and then was fully realized when at one point my son decided we should make a business out of it, which we did.
How do you want people to feel when wearing your clothes?
I want to feel that they are very definitely part of making a difference and of course, i want them to feel the best they can feel about how they look without being conscious that they are wearing clothes, so I want them to feel free and comfortable as if they are wearing nothing at all.
Can you tell us how your brand makes a difference in fashion industry?
First and foremost, it is a means to an end and this end is not profits for the sake of profits, but profits for the sake of philanthropic work geared toward animal welfare, people welfare and planet welfare. So our business model is truly unique.
Secondly, it is as strongly ethical as it is vegan and sustainable so this tri-focus guides our every decision.
Our Brand is first and foremost an entrepreneurial venture that is using fashion to address the social, environmental and political issues of our time. It is not a fashion brand for fashion sake and it is not focused on profits for profits sake but on how profits can be used to do good and help our planet rather than destroy it. So our business model is truly unique. This means that our business decisions will always take into account what is beneficial not only for our Brand but what is equally beneficial for society, the planet and all animals.