Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Wallack.
Anna, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I had been working as a stylist and took time off when I had my first child. I was in nesting mode, and instead of buying clothes, I started knitting. Soon I was designing my own styles, and realized my perspective: yarn, patterns, styling was unique in the market. And Misha and Puff grew out of that.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh no way. It’s always a struggle. In a good way though. You sort of just get used to the fact that things will be hard and stuff will go wrong. It’s just planning for it. That and once I figured out I was going to sound like I don’t know what I am doing, it was all ok. I don’t have a fashion or manufacturing or even business background. I went to MASS art and worked as a fashion stylist. The easy part has been making things people like. The hard part has been everything else (which in truth is like 95% of the business).
Biggest lesson, don’t be afraid to look like you don’t know what you are doing and take advice!
Please tell us about Misha & Puff.
We are known for our high-quality knits made from the best natural fibers. Most of our pieces are knit by hand on knitting needles. We have a timeless, somewhat European sensibility that our customers have really responded to. I am a knitter myself so I am really drawn to interesting and economical construction. Color is a really big part of the collection each season. And usually the starting point. Instead of using traditional baby colors or even the same colors season over season we prefer to start fresh, and create new collections with new colors.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Ok, so my dad was basically a gourmet cook, and I was the world’s pickiest eater. Most meals ended in tears. I have many memories of being the last one at the table as my dad made me eggs because I refused to eat whatever beautiful meal he had made. Sitting alone at the table crying. It was the source of so much anxiety for me as a kid and for so much frustration for my dad as a parent. I think he was really worried about me. I think about that ALL the time as a parent. It’s by no means a favorite memory, and it’s not even really a happy memory, but it’s an important memory. I like the memories that are real and bittersweet. My dad is no longer alive, and I, of course, would give anything for him to cook me a meal today.
What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?
Going to Peru for the first time was HUGE. We found our knitters and started working with them remotely so it was over a year before I met them. I traveled there with my husband and 6-month-old daughter for the first time in November of 2014. My knitting center is in a hard to find and hard to get to part of Lima. Outside the city, up into the hills, where there are dirt roads and stairs cut into the hills because they are so steep. Seeing my knitting ladies at the center, surrounded by Misha and Puff pieces made me cry. It was really overwhelming.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.shop.misha-and-puff.com
- Email: info@misha-and-puff.com
Image Credit:
Susie Cushner
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