Blending fashion and entrepreneurship

By Nicholas Ketchum
Staff Writer

Olisa Harris, 25, is an Ann Arbor-based custom fashion designer, seamstress, wardrobe consultant, and former WCC student. She talked with The Voice about entrepreneurship and her clothing business, Max Marie.

Q: How did you come up with the business name?

A: My middle name is Marie. When I was thinking of names, “Max” came to mind too. I think that “Max Marie” strikes a nice male-female balance. It sounds nice.

Q: Who buys your clothes, who’s your market?

A: Right now it’s pretty wide. Recently, the main services I’m providing are alterations and custom design. A couple months ago, I made someone an outfit for her 50th birthday. I’ve also done some dresses for younger people such as prom dress alterations. So it varies.

Q: How did you develop your skill set?

A: I’m self-taught; I’ve discovered sources such as YouTube. It feels good to have taught myself; it makes me aware of the whole process of learning.Incidentally, one of my jobs was at a factory sewing bed covers—I was an industrial sewer. That was very interesting work because I was inexperienced and was in a factory setting. I’ve even used some of my industrial sewing knowledge as a design choice in my clothing, such as in pleating; things you wouldn’t normally do with clothing.

Q: How does your personal identity play into your work?

A: A lot of the collections I design are inspired by what I’m currently going through in life, and what’s going on around me. I have a collection called the “Delicate Pearl Collection,” which is a softer, more elegant feel I put together when I was in a delicate moment of life. Whatever it is I’m going through, I like to put into my work.

Q: Do you enjoy the “sales” part of business?

A: I’m getting better. At first I wasn’t very good at developing rapport, but now I’ve been doing this a while that’s starting to come naturally. In sales class and in retail I was taught to be aggressive, “Sell this! And this! And this!” But now that I’m selling something that I love it doesn’t feel like selling. It’s subtle, and it’s easier now that I’m developing a reputation.

Q: How do you stay energized?

A: My purpose of helping other people gives me energy. I also like seeing how I can change things and make something different, as well as finding new opportunities to grow and making my business a hub, of sorts.
I like building things up from the ground.

Q: Do you look up to anyone for inspiration?

A: I would say other independent designers who are creating and paving the way for independent designers. I don’t have anybody close. For the most part I need to be self-inspired.

Q: How’s business been this past year?

A: I feel I’ve accomplished a lot this year. Recently, I was hired to alter a wedding dress and create custom reception outfits. Seeing my work at the wedding was very rewarding, and I was able to give the bride some comfort and support as the wedding approached. Once time, when we were picking out fabrics, she became very anxious and so I gave her a big hug right there in the aisle. She really appreciated that. I like to “officiate” the relationships I have with my clients. That’s what means the most to me—making people feel good. It’s not really about the clothing, it’s about the people that are wearing it.

Q: What’s next?

A: A good friend of mine, a local director, is putting on a Halloween Party called “The Freak Show.” A while back I offered to help him create costumes and he was interested, so I’m doing that. In fact, right before I came to this interview I got the ok to design costumes for some short films he’s directing. I feel that’s an accomplishing moment!

Q: What would you say to anyone who may want to start a business?

A: I think they need to mentally prepare themselves first. That’s what I did. You also need to have something to fall back on; a consistent source of income, because you never know in advance how well you’ll do.

Q: How can people find you?

A: I’m online at Instagram.com/maxmariedesign, facebook.com/MAXMarieinfo, and you can also search for “Max Marie Design” on YouTube.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

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