Designer We Love
Mariangela Walker
of Guarantee Happiness
We’ve known Mariangela Walker was special since the moment she was accepted as a designer in our 2017 fashion show. Her brand, Guarantee Happiness, was and continues to be one of the most well-received and wearable lines we had the pleasure of showcasing on the runway. Learn more about the creative, comfortable and inclusive way she’s reinventing the “T” down below.
And stay tuned through the end of the interview to learn how you can look good while doing good with Guarantee Happiness.
What is your background? How did it inform the creation of Guarantee Happiness?
My background is in design, and I actually studied architecture and interior design after a career in education. Fashion and clothing design has always been a passion of mine. I was craving clothing that I could live in. I made something for myself and many of my friends wanted one. The fashion incubator program through Redress Raleigh prior to the 2017 fashion show was an incredible help. With good connections you can find the answers you need.
What makes Guarantee Happiness a sustainable brand?
Our brand creates clothing to be workhorse staples of the wardrobe, using the most comfortable and highest quality fabrics we can source. This way, and with a thoughtful design approach, our garments are something that people want to wear often, and they become reliable grab-and-go staples of the wardrobe as opposed to something whimsically thrown together for looks alone.
What inspires your choice of materials, and how do you choose & source them?
I only use fabrics that I would want to live in. I’m very sensitive to fabric content, from the feel of the fabric, to how it breathable it is on the body, then, how it looks. In creating a garment, I only make something that could happily be worn all day and night and stay comfortable. Our patented Tee Skirt Dresses incorporate organic cotton T-shirts with earth-friendly printing, from TS Designs in Burlington, N.C.
Where can people shop to find your products?
Right now we have a crowdfunding page going, using the iFundWomen crowdfunding platform, offering our designs as rewards for supporting our campaign. You can also find a link to the campaign on our website, GuaranteeHappiness.com.
To get special rewards pricing, make sure to shop on the crowd funding campaign site.
What is your vision for the way Guarantee Happiness customers will shop in the future?
We have a patented store model we are very excited about implementing for custom design at point of sale. I used to work in retail, and I always thought it was a pretty sad state that there were only six or eight sizing options for purchase in-store. There are a lot more variations of body size out there than eight!
We envision a store where women (and eventually girls too), can come in, select a T-shirt from an array of styles, designs, colors and necklines, and then choose from a wide selection of soft skirts in different patterns and materials — floral, striped, upcycled cotton, etc.
We would fit customers right there in-store and make the perfect Tee Skirt Dress especially for them. It would be the length they like, with the top and skirt stitched together at the point of their body they want it to be! Higher or lower waist and hemlines can make a huge difference in the dress’s look and wearer’s comfort. We’d like to work with many T-shirt artists and designers, and offer as many fun options as we can fit in-store.
Right now we’re seeking crowdfunding support to invite women to try out our dresses — then they will know what our passion is about!
How do customers react when trying on your designs for the first time?
Online for retail is super competitive, so we often do in-person pop-ups to let people see and feel how soft and cozy these dresses really are. We’ve had events where several women actually changed into our dresses right after purchasing them! I’ve never seen that before. For shoes, maybe. But never for clothing newly-purchased at an event!
Any tips for people who want to become more ethical and responsible shoppers?
Yes! When you buy something, don’t do so just because it is on sale! Saving money is great, but when you shop for clothing, think of how you will enjoy it over time. Be willing to pay a little extra for a garment of quality that will serve you over a few years time, rather than something you will wear for one season, and need to dispose of because it was made with inexpensive fabrics that aren’t very comfortable.
Any other responsible brands that are inspiring you right now?
I always have my eyes open for great quality items to add to my wardrobe. Right now, we are in start-up, so I mostly have been wearing our Tee Skirt Dresses or Jazzy Diversion Dresses so that people can see what we are making. You really can’t beat them for comfort and style.
A Message from Mariangela:
Look Good while you Do Good!
Guarantee Happiness would like to give back to Redress Raleigh for educating both consumers and local designers on sustainability, so we’re donating 30% of sales from anyone who mentions Redress Raleigh in the “notes” section when purchasing a garment through our crowdfunding campaign.
The reward prices are ridiculously low because we want people to try our designs! We get comments like, “I wear it all the time!” And that makes us feel good! — Mariangela Walker