Why I started a fashion company when I hate fashion

Since starting Morton & Bedford I’m frequently asked things like “did you study fashion design?” or “have you always liked fashion?” I always laugh because I actually studied finance in undergrad, later got my MBA and I hate fashion. If you had asked me when I was finishing my MBA where I saw myself in 5 years I never would have said “running a fashion company.”

In fact, I never liked shopping, paid attention to what I wore or to fashion at all until I moved to New York City. I have definitely been that person who has been underdressed, overdressed or inappropriately dressed for the occasion or environment (more on this in future posts). It was at my first job in New York where I began to learn the importance of dressing well.

Part of the reason I’ve never liked shopping is because I am 6’1”, fairly skinny and have a long torso. Just finding a T-shirt that fits well can be a task — they are either too short or too wide. I often find something I like only to find it doesn’t fit well, or that within brands sizing can be inconsistent. Even Brooks Brothers that offers dress shirts in multiple fits, neck sizes and sleeve lengths, doesn’t make clothes that feel meant for me.

I had more difficulty finding well-fitting clothes when I moved to Colombia. Given my height most dress shirts are too short since the sizing is only based on neck measurement. I was also puzzled by the fact that in a country like Colombia with a strong textile industry, many of my friends would wait for their next trip to Miami or New York to buy a year’s worth of clothes. I would much prefer to spend my time on vacation on the beach, at a Broadway show, in a nice restaurant or out with friends.

I began to think that there has to be a better way. I thought back to when I was working in New York and received a few phone calls from businesses that sold custom clothing, visiting customers in their offices. I didn’t try the service at the time, but this seemed to me like a much better way to shop. I don’t have to go anywhere, a professional helps me to pick out my clothes and makes it specifically for me.

In a city like Bogota, paralyzed by traffic, a service provided in your home or office is all the more valuable. With this business model in mind, I began to search for high quality fabric suppliers and skilled tailors to produce our first shirts.

A whirlwind 2 years later and Morton & Bedford has over 1,500 clients in Colombia, we have been chosen by Parallel18, a startup accelerator program, to further develop in Puerto Rico and we are getting ready to launch in the U.S.

I have taken a very different path than what I imagined when graduating from the MBA program at the Wharton School 5 years ago, but I’m very happy with where I’m at and even more excited for what’s to come.

In future posts, I’ll share some of my experiences with you: fashion tips, fashion mishaps, entrepreneurship, travel and everything in between.