Stacy Igel, A Fashion Whiz and Edgy Entrepreneur Talks about Building a Business From the Ground Up

From having her edgy, NY-street-scene-inspired clothing line Boy Meets Girl worn by many music scenesters and celebrities and picked up by posh retailer Bergdorf Goodman, to releasing a line targeted exclusively to college students, Stacy Igel has created a successful business from the ground up. She says that entrepreneurship runs in her blood, but even so, it takes a woman with the right amount of determination and passion to be ready to jump at an opportunity when it presents itself (which is what Stacy did, probably in high heels and her signature Coco Hoodie):

Can you tell the readers a little bit about yourself?
I am from Chicago, and attended the American School in London (where I worked for Zandra Rhodes) and the University of Wisconsin, where I graduated with a triple major in Design/Merchandising/Business.  I am a big believer in multitasking, and my philosophy is “Think, Say, Do” and, always, “Believe!”  My idea of perfect happiness is having a glass of wine while laughing with family and good friends, and, of course, accomplishing my dreams.  As for my style, I like to think it is eclectic, edgy, and demure all rolled into one.

What inspired you to start your own business?
Well, it all started when I told my Mom at the age of 4 that I would only wear dresses to nursery school! I dressed my pre–K classmates and staged fashion shows from my school cafeteria. My mom was an entrepreneur who created a product called “the Back Machine” and I definitely inherited the entrepreneurial thing from her; she definitely gave me that “go get ‘em spirit.”

And I had no family in the fashion biz; I learned everything from the ground up. I would never change my experience of learning how to build something from the ground up — it is why I am where I am today.

How did you start out?
I was working at Izod as a designer and at night was sewing and designing for my friends.  I shared an apartment with three college BFF’s, and would always be making stuff for their birthdays or for special occasions. My girls were like walking billboards: they would wear my stuff out and inevitably someone would ask them, “Where d’ya get that?”

From that point on, I started taking orders from friends of friends, out of my tiny apartment;  I sewed, promoted, sold and shipped the line from my bed essentially. Actually, my first-ever press clipping was for Lucky’s “One to Watch,” and was actually shot in my bedroom because I didn’t have a showroom!

Then I starting doing small events and tradeshows, and Bergdorf Goodman picked me up, and they allowed me to “graduate” to a studio space in a condemned building in Union City New Jersey (no running water, heat, etc.). I took a small bus from the Port Authority every day.  It’s been quite a journey.

What’s it like being a female business owner? 
Fashion is an interesting business because, proportionally, women dominate the industry. But men still disproportionately run the larger players – holding companies, large brands, large platforms or private equity.  So I often find myself in meetings with these outwardly alpha men who don’t really know what to do with me.  It’s an interesting dynamic, and one that I think I’ve learned to deal with and, frankly, use to my advantage.  I don’t mind being underestimated in the boardroom one iota, as long as I command their respect by the end of the meeting.  How does the saying go again?  Talk softly and carry a big stick…

How competitive is the fashion industry? 
100% competitive! Look, every industry is competitive.  Fashion is no different.  Every designer wants to be the most popular, critically acclaimed and “successful” brand ever.  I just try to do my thing.  I think, at this point, I know where I excel and what my niche is.  I’m not trying to be Valentino.  Those are not our customers.  As a brand we seek to further the message that confidence and courage are trends that never go out of style!

What is your biggest challenge and best accomplishment?
Hardest challenge: Managing people.  A boss is a mentor, teacher, cheerleader, motivator, disciplinarian, psychiatrist and yes, even a friend to the entire team.

Best Part: Reading emails from a teenager who says that I’m her role model, or a tweet from a girl who said that she feels confident and cute in her Alice tee or Coco Hoodie. 

Who inspires you? In business and personally?
As far as business mentors/role models go, there’s Elie Tahari, Zandra Rhodes and Elsa Klensch, all of whom I’ve worked for — and all of whom were hard workers.  I was smart enough to recognize that the hard workers were usually the individuals who got the big opportunities in life. They were also the ones who were prepared to capitalize on those opportunities.

As far as style mentors, I’m going to give you my holy trinity of influences: first, Coco Chanel, who famously said, “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”  I agree. I think that’s why I am so happy working as hard as I do.

Second, Kate Moss: of course she’s a beautiful and confident woman, but what I love about her is the way she effortlessly transitions from eclectic vintage to high fashion.  She never looks like she’s trying to put an outfit together – everything looks like it just naturally belongs on her body.

Third, Patti Smith.  She’s stayed true to her edgy stylishness since the 70s. She’s unflappable.

And last, but very much not least of course, my mother and father are huge influences!

How do you manage work/life balance?
I’m a driven entrepreneur and I get excited about entrepreneurship and great ideas! That gets my creative juices going. I have a notepad by my bed and I’m essentially writing down ideas either on my notepad or my iPhone until the sun comes up…it can be overwhelming at times to be “always on,” and I definitely need to do a better job finding balance. I am working on it! However, I do make sure to find time to kick back and have a glass of wine with my family and good friends, enjoy life and listen to good music!

What advice would you give to young women entrepreneurs?

• • •  Be prepared to work like you’ve never worked before.
    •  Being a talented designer is not enough. You need to learn how to be an effective marketer, networker, salesperson, service provider, writer, stylist, merchandiser and psychiatrist too.
    • Work with multiple vendors and never stop sourcing potential new ones.  It gives you leverage and protects you from catastrophes.
    • Last, but not least… BELIEVE!  I quickly learned the importance of hard work and customer service.  There are a lot of amazingly talented people in this world.  While you may not always be the most creative, charming or brilliant person in the room, you can be the hardest-working and most dedicated — that is something that is totally within your own control.  By working hard, my bosses took notice at my earlier jobs and my employees take notice now.  It’s leadership by example, and I think it fosters loyalty and camaraderie.

“Confidence and courage are trends that never go out of style”
— Stacy Igel

Photos: Amanda De Cadenet