Ava: Take us back to the beginning. Were you always drawn to fashion design, or was there a specific turning point when you realized you wanted to make a career out of it?
Parker: I have literally always known I was going to not only work in fashion, but be a designer. If I had to guess, the idea was probably formed around age seven or eight. I just remember being in elementary school making duct-tape vests! They were horrible, but everyone wanted one and it was the start of something much more for me. Even before I knew how to sew, one of my earliest memories was going to Joanne Fabrics back home, getting quarters of fabric, hand-stitching them together with a needle and thread, and giving it to my mom feeling so proud that I made something all by myself. It’s always been more about the making and creation rather than just being in the "fashion world." I've just always really loved making things and seeing them bring joy to other people.
Ava: Moving to NYC to study at Parsons is a huge step. How did you know knitwear specifically was going to be your signature?
Parker: Moving to New York didn't even feel like taking a leap—it was such a natural next step. By freshman year of high school, I decided 100% I was going to Parsons. Knitwear came into focus a bit later, right before my junior year. I was interning at Rag & Bone on their knitwear team, and at the time I wasn't thrilled because I wanted to be on the woven team. But I decided to have a great attitude, and throughout the summer, sorting through all the old yarn books in the studio just made me fall in love with knitwear. Something about seeing those colorful little squares of knit did something to me, and I fell in love with it from that point forward.
Ava: Walk us through transitioning your senior thesis collection into launching your brand. Did the growth happen organically, or was there a major behind-the-scenes push?
Parker: I always knew I was going to have my own brand, so I approached my thesis collection very strategically. I knew that to launch right after school with no outside funding, I was going to have to get press and build a name quickly. The success after graduating was very organic in the sense that I wasn't working with PR teams or hiring anyone for a push. I was DMing and emailing people myself, getting no responses whatsoever! But then I was posted by @upnextdesigner twice for my thesis cable-knit gown, which helped so much. Then Acquired Style (Brigette Pheloung) reached out about wearing the dress for Thanksgiving. My intern literally had to break into my apartment while I was home in North Carolina to grab the dress and get it to her! Seeing her post it on TikTok while I was sitting down for Thanksgiving dinner was so crazy and exciting.
Ava: Launching an independent brand with complex craftsmanship isn't easy. What was the biggest challenge you faced early on, and what did you learn from it?
Parker: Shortly after launching, I put myself in a predicament I didn't anticipate. I started with a made-to-order model where I developed patterns, hand-knit samples, and hired local home-knitters. But I had to block, finish, and ship every piece myself. My NYC apartment floors were completely covered in drying sweaters! I hit maximum capacity fast and realized I was actually scared to market the brand because I couldn't fulfill more orders. It wasn't scalable. Just three months after launching, I had to pump the brakes, pause production, and learn how to work with true manufacturers and build tech packs. It was intimidating to pause right when we had momentum, but I learned so much and it was the best pivot I could have made.
Ava: When starting a new collection, where do you typically draw your inspiration from?
Parker: Because we produce in Peru, New York, and soon Italy, I actually start with yarn availability. I look at the catalog of yarns available in those regions first, and then build a stitch library for the collection. My intern and I refuse to use Pinterest or look at trend reports; instead, we go to the New York Public Library Image Archive to scan vintage photos. I also look through family photos and vintage Fair Isle prints. And honestly, I have a secret weapon: QVC! I’ve been obsessed with watching QVC during their "Christmas in July" sales while designing fall collections. Hearing the hosts talk passionately about holiday blankets and sweaters while it's 90 degrees outside is how I get in the mood to design fall knitwear!
