Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Keneally.
Emily, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My background is a little unorthodox as an owner of a women’s clothing line. After graduating from Bowdoin College with a degree in Economics & Art History, I moved to NYC to work for an investment bank (Goldman Sachs) in NYC. I always knew I wanted to start a business one day, so I eventually moved back to my hometown of Boston to work for a food start-up called UNREAL Candy. It was here where I learned the fundamentals of building a brand from the ground up. It was also at UNREAL where the idea for Alice Walk was born.
It was a year that I had many weddings to attend and I could not find classic dresses in beautiful high-quality fabrics; and I just felt that this shouldn’t be so difficult. I was also disappointed and frustrated by the shopping experience, going to one department store after another and sifting through racks of clothing that either didn’t fit well, were made of cheap fabric, or were too trendy. I knew there had to be a better way to shop.
So over the next couple of years, I spent countless hours teaching myself about the ins and outs of the fashion industry, doing market research, surveying potential customers, meeting with patternmakers and factory owners, sourcing fabric from all over the world and creating our first batch of samples. Finally, in the summer of 2016, with an in-house production team in place, I launched Alice Walk out of our South Boston studio.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Despite living in a fast-fashion culture, there seems to be a real demand and appreciation for unique, well-made clothing and a personalized, intimate shopping experience. We are excited about the potential of the brand and expanding into other categories and markets.
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?
Starting your own business will inevitably have ups and downs. Anytime I hit a major roadblock or something doesn’t go quite as planned, I try to stay positive and remind myself of all that’s been accomplished and focus on celebrating the wins. I think one of the hardest things has been managing a team and being my own boss. There are days when I just wish I had someone else telling me what to do!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Alice Walk – what should we know?
Alice Walk is a semi-custom, made-to-order clothing line for women. By allowing customers to select from a variety of styles, sleeve lengths and curated fabrics from around the world, we help women bring their dream wardrobe to life. The brand is all about sophisticated looks that are classic, fresh, and occasionally bold. Each piece is made-to-order – fusing technology with craft – and then hand-sewn by talented seamstresses right here in our Boston studio.
I think what sets us apart is our curated fabric selection that has been thoughtfully sourced and created in collaboration with some of the best textile mills in the world. Each fabric has a story and a few, such as our hand-painted silks, are one-of-a-kind. Choosing among these special fabrics enriches the shopping experience for customers in search of a unique piece.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
The journey to success is never a straight line, so I think being open to change and unafraid of failure is a crucial part of getting there. Starting your own business takes grit, determination and embracing the unknown. Despite all the challenges in bringing my vision to life, I kept at it, listened to my gut, and most importantly believed in myself.
Pricing:
- Tops range from $195 – $295
- Dresses range from $320 – $450
- Jackets range from $340 – $475
Contact Info:
- Address: Alice Walk Studio
423 West Broadway, Suite 403
Boston, MA, 02127 - Website: www.alicewalk.com
- Email: emily@alicewalk.com
- Instagram: @alice_walk
- Facebook: @alicewalkclothing
Image Credit:
Molly Hall
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