Meet Demz Ari of ThriftGoddis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Demz Ari.

Demz, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My love for fashion blossomed from my desire to empower and educate people to embrace our planet by simply being kind. To the environment. On one of the coldest winter nights after my father had passed, I remember my grandmother gifted me a sewing machine. I was just a child and I had no interest in playing with a sewing machine, but that sewing machine was the tool that pushed me to create. A lot of the garments we were blessed to have were hand me down’s from family and friends or thrift stores so I would create my own pieces and create new looks from the previously worn garments.

As I evolved, I began to connect more with the clothes. I began wondering where did these pieces come from, who had worn them, and what was their story? I was a teacher at the time, so I began storytelling through my clothes and having conversations with my students and anyone who would compliment me on my style. If someone asked where I got a piece from, I’d have a whole story to tell. Fast forward to the present day, after researching the fast fashion industry I knew I wanted to create through clothing, so I began providing styling services for the everyday woman that wanted to be sustainable and stylish. All of my pieces are handpicked and repurposed in love. I’m passionate about doing the small things that save our planet and that’s how I began my journey for sustainable beauty & fashion.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Being a sustainable stylist and eco-friendly reseller is challenging. The world is becoming more conscious, so I’ve definitely grown, but It’s a struggle competing with fast fashion and brand labels who produce mass products and have more than one piece available. My tribe often gets frustrated because my pieces are truly one of a kind and every girl wants to stand out, so they sell fast. It’s like a butterfly In chrysalis. I’m leaning to be patient with myself as I grow in business.

Please tell us about ThriftGoddis.
The creative eye behind ThriftGoddis finds beauty in forgotten pieces and creates beautiful pieces of wearable art. The ability to open up people’s imagination and make them feel beautiful as they share their stories with the world truly sets me apart. I feel a sense of pride and joy when clients look in the mirror and find that breathtaking view that they’ve been searching for. I enjoy finding beauty in such simplicity and the smile of those I work with nourishes the soul. I think it is most rewarding when I create for clients who trust me with garments passed down from generations before them and I have the pleasure of repurposing it for the girl that will wear it today.

What were you like growing up?
I was a wild child lol. I was always daydreaming and doodling. Coloring and creating. I was introverted, even tho I had siblings I was the only girl, so I spent a lot of time in my treehouse with my head in the clouds. I enjoyed reading, writing, and being outside picking my ma roses and sunflowers.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @thethriftgoddis
• Facebook: Thethriftgoddis

Image Credit:
the_nikon_ikon
Jasmine_ lairsmith
Jade & Jora

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