A company that not only designs quality apparel AND has a huge heart for animals?! YES PLEASE!! We are so excited to have Wag On Project at Fashion Denver’s 15th-anniversary market!!!
Let’s learn more from designer Tiffany Tushar, shall we?
What inspired your love for fashion and fashion design?
I’ve known from a very young age I not only loved clothing but I was influenced by everything I saw people wearing. I absolutely love the melting pot of styles you can see when you go just about anywhere. Whether I’m in one of the fashion capitols, or simply walking into a local coffee shop, I’m always fascinated to see what people woke up and decided to wear that day.
I found my place with fashion through sales. After working the retail gig for many years, I knew I needed more and moved on to work for different fashion and consumer brands in B2B, D2C and everything in between. It was through my diverse experience in working with women’s designer, menswear and lifestyle that I grew to love every aspect of fashion.
What is the first thing you ever designed?
‘Your Everything’ V-Neck Tee by Wag On Project 😉
How long have you been designing?
Most of my career I’ve been on the styling and manufacturing side so I’ve always been involved in the various stages of design, but never the designer. Starting Wag On Project was my first head on designing experience. I believe being involved in every stage throughout my career really helped simplify the process when it came time to go from sample to production. I already knew what I wanted and how to get there which helped me make those big-risk decisions that sometimes can hold a designer back.
Did you go to school for design or are you self taught?
I have a B.A. from The Art Institute in Fashion Management and Merchandising, so most of my classes were business-focused but there were a few design courses the program required as well.
Who is/are your biggest inspiration/s? (Family, Friends, Designers, etc…)
The animals. I’ve always wanted to help those who don’t have a voice but never knew how exactly. I felt like my heart would be crushed every time I tried to foster knowing I would have to give them up or I would just spend my nights crying if I volunteered to help save rescues from bad conditions. Wag On Project is my way of making an impact using my skill set and experience I’ve built over a 10-year career.
What message or story do you aim for your clothes to tell?
I’d love for my consumers to see that even a basic tee can make a difference. I have loved working with different apparel brands throughout my career but it came to a point where I had larger passion I wanted to pursue. There’s no reason why you can’t figure out a way to do what you love and help others at the same time.
What is your go-to textile?
I will personally buy almost anything that’s super soft so I tend to love Rayon, Modal, and some treated Polyesters. These are all fabrics that are very versatile and can feel very different from one treatment to the next so there’s lots of options. They’re also (most of the time) machine washable which is great when trying to attract a larger customer base.
What was the inspiration behind your latest collection?
Cause and comfort! Animal welfare has always been near and dear to my heart. I’ve had a dog my entire life and not sure I could ever go without one so building a product that gives back to our furry companions was easy motivation.
As for the design and fabric choice? I will pretty much excuse any price tag for something super soft. The collection is made up of affordable, high quality everyday essentials that are must-haves in your closet. So if you’re going to have to buy them anyways, might as well give back!
What does 2020 look like for you in the world of fashion?
I will be continuing to live and breathe my business. We will be celebrating one year on Valentine’s Day, diving head first into some budgeted ad spend and hopefully launching 1-2 more styles by Fall 2020. Stay tuned!
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