Megan Phillips
Founder of Megan Phillips Collection
“The women I dress know what they want and they’re not afraid to go after it.”
Can you share a little about your background and how you’ve gotten to where you are today?
I originally went to school for graphic design. My goal was to be a graphic designer for musicians. [But] once I got there, it wasn’t the be-all, end-all. I did some soul searching - as a lot of people do in college - and one day, someone mentioned to me that they had always thought I would go into fashion. I always loved style and putting outfits together, and design was my background. That felt like a lightbulb moment. All it took was one person saying that to me. I began with internships at Vera Wang and Rent the Runway, which solidified that [fashion] was my dream and that I wanted to pursue it in New York City.
I moved to New York City in 2015. I had an interesting experience. It was a pivotal year in e-commerce. Luxury brands were still relevant, [but] it was the year Outdoor Voices was launching and Reformation received outside funding. Luxury brands were not able to support a full staff, and I was laid off four times in two years because of financial restrictions. I went back to Vera Wang, [then] Ralph Lauren and [subsequently] at Jack Spade. All throughout [this journey] I saw what was missing in fashion. The focus on women and what positive messages are put out to women was missing. I was in countless meetings where creating the element of desire [was the focus]. Women needed to have it and seek it, and this [notion] messed with me. As someone who was just entering the fashion space...it was really sad to me to see that women weren’t really being considered. It started to build up in me that I wanted to do my own thing. After the fourth layoff, I felt the universe was telling me to go for it so I put together a small collection for Megan Phillips Collection and launched [the line] in July 2017.
Why was it important for you to start the Megan Phillips Collection?
There were things that resonated with me about the everyday woman. I personally had struggled with bodyweight issues. Confidence is the number one roadblock and [learning to take] value in yourself, your capability and your body. [Corporate fashion] marketing plans behind the clothing is to break down women so they feel the need to buy the product to build them back up. We, [the fashion community], need to be more responsible for the types of marketing we are putting out to women. It’s adding to anxiety and depression.
What are some of the motivators that have helped push you against being risk averse now that you have your own business?
I had never had a female leader at any of the companies I worked at. They were male run or male owned. I definitely felt “less than”. I only had a couple of those experiences…[but] the fashion community as a whole can do better. I thought to myself, “I think I can do it. I can be a small puzzle piece.” 2017 was the right timing [to start Megan Phillips Collection]. Women’s voices were finally being heard and amazing brands were coming out to celebrate women as they are. It was a very inclusive [fashion ecosystem] to be entering into. I felt totally embraced. To come to New York and for people to have positive responses...it was wonderful, and way beyond my expectations. I had nothing to lose. And anytime I mentioned I wanted to do it, a lot of people initially reacted that you need a lot of money [to get started]. I wanted to prove them wrong. I wanted to give a go.
When you own a business, you almost certainly need to be accustomed to solving problems on a daily basis. How have you learned to tackle issues head on?
Entering the fashion space was a dream but I didn’t know anything about it. I had to position myself as being a learner...How do I build a line sheet? How do I find pattern makers and manufacturers? Who do I reach out to to make labels? Every detail in business was new to me. The only way I’d survive was if I threw myself into it. I went after every opportunity and it was okay to make a big mistake that I had to recover from. I was just turning twenty-six, I didn’t have the finances and I was living in New York City. It was what it was. I had to learn on the road.
What’s one thing you’ve discovered about yourself that has surprised you most as you went through the process of launching Megan Phillips Collection?
Something positive I learned about myself was that I feel I hold an expectation of myself that I didn't realize when I was in the corporate workspace. On my own [as an entrepreneur], I’m a bit of a perfectionist. I’ll look at something that’s not to my standards or look at different shades of pink to find the perfect one... I didn’t realize I was such a detail oriented person. I care a lot about making sure everything I put out there is with thought. It has definitely served me in helping me grow. [I also realized that] I definitely didn’t have to deal with stress to this caliber [when I was in the corporate workspace]. I’m still discovering stress management and taking ownership if I need to stay mentally clear.
What words would you use to describe your career?
[The first word is] I am determined. I know exactly what I want for my future self, for Megan Phillips Collection, for where I want to be...and I have to be determined.
The second one is inspired. I’m inspired by the women around me, the people I’ve met in New York City and the women that raised me. I want to make products that inspire women to pursue their own dream...t-shirts that they feel good in, that they want to wear to a board meeting, on a first date or something else that’s important in their lives. I want to create that narrative for them.
I’ve had to overcome quite a lot. As a female entrepreneur you have to have a lot of strength in order to get over obstacles, and the women I dress have that same quality. They know what they want and they’re not afraid to go after it.
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This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
