Marie Medvednik
Fashion Marketer / Stylist
Colorado / California
Q What do you do?
“I help sustainable apparel and accessories brands tell their stories through email and social channels.”
I also style clothes and would love the opportunity to style the wardrobes for a brand campaign.
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
About seven years ago I pivoted from pursuing a career in law to offering marketing support services. I started working with a jeweler friend whose business was taking off at the time and knew instantly this was what I was born to do. Then I wanted to immerse myself in the fashion industry and chose to support 2 local SF-based apparel brands operating at dramatically different scales: a small-batch producing avant-garde brand and retailer and a heritage denim brand. Learned tons at both, evaluating from sustainability and DEI perspectives, and established digital marketing operations at the smaller business which then became my flagship marketing account. The pandemic provided a unique opportunity to teach myself all things digital marketing for fashion to the extent that by early 2021, I was able to start freelancing!
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I bring a unique blend of experiences to my work. With a legal education, I am particularly sensitive to compliance with privacy laws and messaging in copy. I think the most unique thing about me is my immigrant background. I came to the US in 1993 from post-communist Ukraine and have been taking in visual culture since. Mostly fashion advertising but any print ads with evocative visuals. I still have my collection of fashion magazine ads from the 1990s. Bridging cultural differences very much informs my work, particularly on the intersection of gender and identity. Oh, and of course, promoting sustainability both in social and environmental dimensions is a driving priority with the type of projects I’ll take on.
Q What are you working on right now?
I am building out my website and exploring creative agencies that I may want to join. I’m also appliqueing an air force coverall with antique embroidery and neon rope. I love me some good ol’ upcycling!
Q What’s your style?
I’d encapsulate my style as being one about the origin story told through the lens of texture and color. I am obsessed with the story behind a piece of clothing or jewelry. Whether it’s antique, upcycled, or sustainably produced, highlighting its texture and color gives it more depth and dimension.
I styled a shoot where the wardrobe was a decade conglomeration emphasized by the differences in texture but unified by the similarities in color. Think 1950’s parachute nylon pussybow top underneath a 1990’s sequined silk cocktail dress paired with post-modern space platform boots. It was about celebrating the innovation of yesterday and preparing for the imagination of tomorrow.
I also had a lot of fun creating an email campaign promoting a new jewelry collection with a space theme. The designer is Mariella Pilato and her work is all highly stylized and handmade in small batches, so the urge to tell this story in the graphics was quite strong.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
There are many skills I want to improve, but it’s awesome when I have more time to focus on styling outfits. I also wish I could focus more on campaign performance analytics. I’m carving out the time to do just that right now.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
Outsourcing. Want to do it all, though, for the most part, I try my best to not get frustrated over roadblocks or the mounding To-Do. I’ve trained myself to see setbacks as deeper insight and wisdom into my own workflow or career direction. What seems hard or takes forever tends to point to something much more actionable and interesting.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Scheduling, laundry, data sorting (I love analyzing data, but not organizing it), research, account management, meals - I’d love to pre-program these decisions ahead of time so I get more time to create, conceptualize and strategize.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
I wish I could have told my 16-year-old self to pursue the work that feels authentic and not listen to anyone’s views on it. Work that feels purposeful generates so much energy that one can go far when they are passionate and the work is an end, not a means to an end.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
How to build a sustainable fashion ad agency - that’s the dream!
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I’m looking to collaborate with clothing or accessories brands on creating/ running ad or email campaigns and/or styling products specifically for advertising. In social, I work on the Instagram and Facebook platforms and in email, I work in Mailchimp and Klaviyo, so the project would have to be on one of these platforms.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
My ideal client is a sustainable clothing or accessories entrepreneur or the creative director of a sustainable fashion brand. Their site/ store is on Squarespace or Shopify and they have a growing audience on the Meta/ Instagram platforms. I would love to collaborate on telling their story in an ad or email format, and it would be MOST awesome to get to style the shoots for the content creation.
Q: What is your rate?
Generally, I charge between 60 and 70 USD per hour, depending on the project. Based on the campaign objective and tech stack involved, I generate a proposal with the scope of work and estimated number of hours. Could be anywhere from 350 to 5000. This system isn’t perfect yet but it has worked with clients so far.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
On my website, there is a link to book a consultation. It’s the most streamlined way to reach out and chat about project ideas. Also, email works.
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Miss Velvet Cream - designer on a mission of zero waste. She creates epic couture pieces out of repurposed materials.
instagram @missvelvetcream
I also recommend Ben Ellis - a designer who repurposes materials for avant-garde looks. Their work with denim is outstanding!
instagram @alien.eleven
Finally, milliner extraordinaire Kalico Delafey - her hats and fascinators are truly gorgeous and exquisite.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Going on super long walks!
This member profile was originally published in June 2022.