Abi Ferrin Interview

CGG: So can you tell me a little about Fashion for Freedom and Purpose? What is that about?

Abi Ferrin: My whole concept is based on empowering women. And how we start is at the heart of it—that we work with women in Nepal and Cambodia that have been rescued out of the sex trade, human trafficking and oppressive environments. And they’re given a skill set; they get to kind of pick which direction they want to go. And then they’re trained; and then once they’re through their training I become a vendor. So I buy buttons from them, I buy clutches from them. Basically it’s all women who have been rescued out of oppressive environments; we become a vendor for them. But then also on the other side of things in Dallas, my home base, I really love to work with women who put my clothes on and make them feel good about themselves. So it’s all about empowerment—women being strong, beautiful, bold colors. I mean, you saw it on the runway. They’re fun, flirty, great music. So hopefully that message came across. We’re here to do something a little different that actually has an emotional connection tied to it.

CGG: So how did you become inspired to work with women like this?

AF: Actually, I was inspired to work with women before I was inspired to be a fashion designer. So it’s just something that’s always been a part of who I am and what I wanted to do. And when I started sewing clothes—I’ve always sewed since I was 5 years old, and so when people started asking me, “Where did you get that, where did you get that?” And then I started making clothes for them and I saw how it transformed them and how it made them look good. And then I realized that was my vehicle. I didn’t know how it was going to be my vehicle or to what level, but I knew that that was going to be my vehicle to get to women and to kinda work with them on an innate level that you are beautiful and you are strong. And embrace your femininity but don’t get run over either. So then my sister’s a full-time humanitarian and she took over and she helped me connect with these organizations. So that was kind of a full connection.

CGG: So I noticed in you line I didn’t see any leather, no fur, no feathers, no anything like that…

AF: We’re all eco-friendly. We don’t have any leather, we don’t have furs. We do work with silk but it’s all fair-trade and high-end organizations. So we do have some silk in there, but silk isn’t non-eco-friendly; it’s just about how it’s put together and how it’s made.

CGG: Ok, so I’m a 13-year-old coming from Iowa. I’m trying to find my identity, I’m a female, I’m really self-conscious. What advice do you give to a girl like that to find her own style and to be confident within herself?

AF: I think it’s all about following your dreams and being strong; and looking inside and finding what comes from within you that will make you stronger. So I was a 13-year-old in Wyoming, so I can totally relate to that girl. And it’s kind of going through that stage and realizing that you have the power within yourself, and then finding what you really like. Like what colors do you like? And don’t be afraid if someone says that not cool, or that’s not right. It’s all about what you think and your identity.