Casia has been a part of the Brackish team for four years now and she has the finishing touch on most every bow tie and cuff that leaves our studio. She’s a Brackish veteran as we like to say, and she’s watched our team double in size over the years. Continue reading to learn more about Casia’s role here at Brackish.
Q: When did you join the team at Brackish?
A: November 4th, 2015 was my first day at Brackish - a little over four years ago. I was initially hired to work on our packaging team. However, after about two days we realized that my talents could be used elsewhere and I shifted over to our sewing department.
Q: Have you seen a transition in technique since you’ve been here?
A: Slight changes, maybe, but nothing drastic. Our technique has changed slightly throughout the years as we gain customer feedback, but our goal has always stayed the same. On a daily basis we problem solve and refine, while always respectfully repurposing nature.
Q: What’s the importance of hand sewing our neck straps on every bow tie?
A: Making sure a bow tie is sewn perfectly starts with a perfect wrap. While I sew most every neck strap, it is a complete group effort. My colleagues cut and press each center wrap individually. It’s almost hard to describe in words, but the folds have to be just right. When we wrap it around the tie itself, it’s important that there’s a small bump on the back which makes the bow tie sit straight with a slight tip upwards.
Q: What’s your record amount of bow ties sewn in one day?
A: It varys, but there have been days where I’ve sewn over 200 in one day. Once I get in a groove I can crank them out pretty quickly.
Q: With the release of our women’s collection you’ve also started making the finishing touches on every cuff that leaves the building. What has that experience been like?
A: During the early developmental stages I was handed a box of tools and different pieces of our cuffs and was asked to figure out a way to put them together. We landed on a solution that binds the feathers and hardware together for life, literally. Before we launched the women’s collection my time was spent primarily sewing bow ties. Now that my days are all different it shows me the importance of teamwork - it truly is a team effort.
Q: What’s your favorite part about working at Brackish?
A: Without a doubt, the people. The comradery here is something special and I genuinely love the environment here at Brackish.
Q: What core value do you resonate the most with? What does it mean to you?
A: My favorite core value is “Respectfully Repurposing the Beauty of Nature.” I am still amazed every day that we’re able to use feathers to create fashion accessories. More importantly, that we’re doing so in a completely natural and respectful way towards nature.
Q: Of any piece in our collection, what is your current go-to? Why?
A: Ooh, the McKinney! This piece is versatile and the emerald hues compliment every skin tone. It’s also the piece I would pick to wear to a party or to the grocery store - I love it.
Q: Pretend you’re back in elementary school and your teacher asks you to tell the class a fun fact about yourself. What would that be today?
A: Oh gosh, there’s so many! I’ll start by saying that I’m a mom. I have a 10 year old daughter named Kaia, she’s amazing. I also love to skateboard and surf and I’m very proud of my heritage - I’m Filipino, Hawaiian, Japanese and Spanish.
