The Raddest Girls On The Planet: @MERE_ARGYRIS
Dear Rad Girl,
If you've been following my Diary (blog) over the past 5 years, you are familiar with this segment #theraddestgirlsontheplanet . In this series, I feature Rad Girls that are energetic, ambitious, fun, loving, uber talented, kind and artistic... I search all around social media for the raddest girls on the planet and I've came across some amazing girls I would love to share their stories with you. This July we caught up with uber stylish, fun, lover of pink, girl boss Mere Argyris!!!!
ell us about yourself - anything you want to share (hometown, childhood, pets, random fun fact, etc...)
-My family’s from Philly but I grew up in Ohio and moved back when I was 20 or 21
What inspired your love of fashion?
-Feeling behind fashion what it feels like to dress up I love the feeling of dressing up. When I was growing up the women that I saw and looked up to were always dressed nice so I associate fashion with success.
You’ve officially opened your very own Fashion Studio in the city! What a dream! How long has this been underway? When did you realize you wanted to be your own boss?
-I’ve been working for myself for about 3 years and I’ve always wanted to be my own boss ever since I could remember. The fashion studio happened by accident it wasn’t really planned and it just felt right so I decided to go for it.
Your journey will inspire many others with similar aspirations. Walk us through your story to getting to this exact point. (Education, Hardships, Experiences, How you did it)
-I always wanted to work in fashion and when I was a senior in highschool I was in a business program . When I was in the program I created a project that was about having my own online business or boutique . Later I went to college and didn’t do anything with it and got bored with life after college so I made my own online boutique of making and selling clothes. That eventually transitioned to personal shopping and styling. For there that’s how I got my internship w philly fashion week and I got places in the front working w vip. Then that’s how I became interested in Pr. From there I realized I wanted to do it myself. I realized how important it is for brands to have their own images . Photography has been a hobby of mine and ab a year ago I started doing that for friends and people who had their own brands and saw a need for it in the fashion industry.
You’re a woman of many trades! What are all of your areas of expertise and what do you love most about your career? designing, photography, public relations, entrepreneurship?
- Pr/ brand development and content photography are my areas of expertise.
Tell us about your experience working for Philly Fashion Week?
- I started as an intern thinking I would be a styling intern and then one thing led to another jad I started being their hip coordinator and later transitioned to front of house like press ajd vip. I work on the invite list, check in, seating charts, and press.
What brands/ magazine do you wish to work with in the future?
- - As much as I don’t wanna say it, Vogue. I just feel like that’s when you’ve made it.
From your feed, we see that you like to travel a lot. Where’s your favorite place to travel so far and your dream vacation spot?
- My favorite place to travel for work is New York. We had been planning a trip to Paris but it was cancelled, I’d say my dream vacation would be Thailand.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years. Did you ever think you’d be where you are today?
I did think I am where I am today but I didn’t expect it to be this early in life. I thought I would freelance for people for a lot longer but it worked out really well. I could see us moving into a bigger space with more studio room and space. I can see us working w more clients and bigger brands.
What are your thoughts on fast fashion?
- I hate fast fashion. Everyone should watch the documentary “the true cost”. Corporations are tricking us into thinking that a $4 shirt is worth someone’s life. My tips for weeding out fast fashion is to sign up for a subscription box of clothing rentals, thrifting and buying directly from designers.
What direction do you believe fashion will go after the pandemic?
- I think that department stores will start to close, I think they won’t close permanently. They’re either open as flagship stores or less stores. I think in 10 years there won’t be department stores, there'll be more smaller stores in set locations for that brand. People will be More keen to buy directly from designers or directly from boutiques, I think factories will be held accountable. I think eventually fast fashion will implode and labor laws will be set in place.
How is it working in fashion in the city of philadelphia?
- It’s nice because it’s a small community and nothing is too over saturated like it would be in New York or other fashion hubs. It’s a great atmosphere to build connections and relationships in the industry.
How important is creative content when having a fashion brand?
- that’s one of the most important things. Brands need to constantly be creating new and unique content.
Favorite dear laney piece?
I love the Kazzy.
What makes you the raddest girl on the planet?
- My advice for anyone who wants to be rad girl is to just be fearless.
Thank you Mere for all your insight and girl chat!! Be on the lookout for mere being featured on our podcast!!!!
xo
Laney