Mz. Eclectic: Surrender + Up-Cycled Couture
Editorial and Interview by Briget Heidmous
Images courtesy of Mz. Eclectic
Courtesy of Mz. Eclectic
Mz. Eclectic, a company born of necessity, is the fashion brand by Ebony Brown. In 2019 she left her full time job, surrendering to her life’s calling. And, it has been a gift to us all.
Each Mz. Eclectic line feels like wearable history that you can carry onward into the future. Brown reimagines what already exists into stand out up-cycled couture. Every piece, every garment, has an individual vibe. Energetically ranging from the soft flow of an ideal summer night and the determined energy of flowers growing in the garden -- much like the designer herself.
Denim jackets by Mz. Eclectic are wild, enjoyable and serve as an announcement: “I’m here. I’m right here to be me. Join in”. Brown marries her love of thrifting and appreciation for traditional cultural attire with thoughtful design and eco-friendly practices.
This winter Ebony Brown talked with Femme Fatale DC’s Briget Heidmous about her journey, purpose and growth.
BEGIN INTERVIEW
You’ve made a major decision to transition from full-time employment to full time designer and business womxn - what brought you to this transition? How did you come to this life change?
I was at a huge career crossroads. I had been employed at this particular place for over 15 years where I was senior manager of a department in a government agency. I loved what I did initially but under the conditions that I was subjected to I began to disengage.
I was completely unhappy and unhealthy with work. There was anger; anxiety; frustration; hurt - I would even say a depression. The last 3 years of my stint, I genuinely detested it. I was suddenly called to create more intensely. So, I did.
The designs of what to create were pouring out so rapidly, before I knew it, I had a small collection of items and didn’t even have an intended purpose for them. They weren’t for me, they weren’t even my size.
I remember feeling an urgency to paint one weekend so I went out and bought paint supplies and painted my first piece that day. It was so weird because I had never painted before. Then came thoughts of selling the pieces which turned into visions for a business. What to call it? What exactly would it be and how it would function? Everything was coming at me so fast.
It was like God was giving me all of these nuggets and saying - this is what I want you to do. I’ve given you instruction, now go forth. (She laughs) Practicality and doubt struck: But, how? And what if? And what about this and that?
I had all of these questions!
I launched the business online via Instagram on 8.8.18. I chose that date because 8 is the number of new beginnings. After launching, I knew that I needed to leave that job. Not because it started out full throttle and sales were through the roof because they weren’t, but I just knew that I had to go.
I didn’t know how to leave. Leaving meant going against everything logical. I wasn’t a young teen with minimal responsibility that could just walk away from a job. I have a family and REAL responsibilities. How would we survive? I felt trapped.
My generation was raised on “go to school, make good grades, go to college, get you a good government job on salary with full benefits and stay on that job until you can retire.” That was the societal standard for success; particularly in the black community and if you weren’t doing it that way -- you were doing it wrong.
I had been sending resumes out for almost two years. I started applying for any job, part- time, retail, receptionist, assistant, it didn’t matter the field -- I just wanted out. And in all of that time I never got a single call back for an interview. I stayed on the job for basically another year while simultaneously running Mz. Eclectic battling with God about why I couldn’t just leave, how I needed another job in place to support us.
Nothing was coming through and with good reason I guess because that’s not the way it was supposed to happen for me, that was me trying to supersede God’s plan.
I became so uncomfortable at work that I had to pull the trigger. I couldn’t find another excuse for avoiding the inevitable. So, I put in my notice and there was no taking it back.
It was definitely a leap of faith.
How did you find your way to Femme Fatale DC?
I met Adriana through a friend at my previous job who had recently visited the Femme Fate DC location in Tenley Town. She was one of the few people who knew I had started designing again and throwing around business ideas in the early stages. She completely outed me telling Adriana about my work. (she laughs)
I’m so grateful she did that - it basically forced me to show my work to and talk to someone outside of my inner circle about what I had been working on. I was really unsure about what I was doing. I had way more questions than answers.
I visited the Tenley Town store, met with Adriana, she encouraged me to share what I had to offer to the world. Telling me that it's ok to not have it all figured out -- that’s what the Femme Fatale DC ecosystem was all about. It turns out that my friend's push was exactly what I needed.
In what ways has Femme Fatale DC been a part of your brands evolution?
Femme Fatale has been a huge part of Mz. Eclectic’s brand development. I’ve learned a lot about my buyers, who they are, which products sell to which buyers. I’ve been exposed to new audiences and received inspiration and advice on everything from labeling, displays, pricing and new products.
Being a part of Femme Fatale DC has been invaluable for my new business, I have absorbed so much. I am grateful.
What does your support system look like?
I have the MOST amazing husband; he is so supportive and encouraging. Whatever I need or whatever crazy ideas I’m having at the time, he is totally down for whatever - whenever. I could not ask for a better partner. Also, my family, they show up in so many ways whether I need help at an event, models for a photoshoot, a sitter for my daughter or just some encouragement when things are a little haywire.
Mz. Eclectic has been featured in four pop-up locations - what are they?
So far I’ve been a part of the Columbia Heights and the current Mt. Vernon Triangle Femme Fatale DC pop-up shops, I’ve also done Golden Roots shop in Mt. Rainer Maryland and Creative Collective in Tysons Corner.
