Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsay Stedman
Hi Lindsay, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I consider myself blessed that I knew my desired career path at a very young age. In middle school, I was cutting up fashion magazines for mood boards and sewing makeshift clothes in my bedroom to fuel my dreams of becoming a fashion designer one day.
Those dreams carried on through college where I graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Fashion and Textile Management. I owe a lot to my time at NC State because they not only provided the design aspect but also required business classes as part of their degree. The goal was always to start my own business one day, so I enjoyed learning both design and business skills that I still use with my business today.
My dreams took their 1st leap of faith from small town to Big City when I got an internship at the Ralph Lauren headquarters in NYC during the summer before my senior year. It was a summer I will cherish forever and solidified my dream of returning to NYC to work in the fashion industry.
After I graduated, I accepted a job at the same Ralph Lauren headquarters in New York where I worked in fabric development for brands like RRL. Since I had the pleasure of working on a niche, luxury brand within Ralph Lauren, I was able to closely work with design, product development, production and many other teams that allowed me to gain exposure of how to take a collection from start to finish. I stayed there for a few years and then went on to work at other companies like Victoria’s Secret PINK where I continued to build my skill set.
I greatly enjoyed the years I spent in NYC but knew it was time to move back home South during Covid in 2020. My husband and I got married, and I enjoyed working on other projects and interests that I had, but I knew I would find my way back to fashion.
So in 2023, my dreams took their 2nd leap of faith, and I launched my brand Rêveux. Since my maiden name is France, my fashion aesthetic has always pulled inspiration from the dreamy and iconic French style. So it felt poetic that my brand name would derive from the French word for ‘dreamy’ while I was on the pursuit of fulfilling my dreams.
Now that I had a name, the next step was to land on a business plan and mission. We decided our goal was to redefine luxury fashion. Drawing from the years of experience within the fashion industry, I wanted Rêveux to fill the gap in the market for unique, luxury pieces that didn’t come with a couture price tag. Pieces that are made for life’s special moments but also can be passed down through generations. As for our mission, being a Christian-based business at heart, we donate 10% of our proceeds to charity organizations like the Children’s Hunger Fund and The Salvation Army.
A dream that started in middle school, and now at 32, I can say I’m incredibly grateful for the experiences and the blessings that God has given me that have all led to this moment. I look forward to building a lasting legacy for my children and to one day encourage them to chase their dreams.
Inspired by women of past and present, Rêveux will continue to strive to make your dreams come true one piece at a time.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Owning a business is a true definition of a labor of love! You find out very quickly how much determination, grit and perseverance you have in order to overcome challenges. Some of the biggest struggles I have faced as a young startup are breaking out of isolation and obtaining more brand awareness, manufacturing costs, and having limited flexibility on vendors and factories.
The isolation vs. brand awareness is tricky because you want to be conservative with inventory levels but also want to promote your brand by gifting items to influencers, customer discounts, and additional PR packages which all require more inventory. I try to get ahead of this by sharing sneak peeks of the collections to get an idea of which ones are favorites and buying deeper in those styles.
Since my brand is currently manufacturing in NYC, the production costs are much higher than overseas. Having items made in USA has its pros and cons, all of which I am constantly weighing against customers’ needs and wants. For example, if I need to charge a certain price to make up for the manufacturing costs, but it is out pricing what a customer will pay for it, then I have to consider moving that style to an overseas manufacturer.
And lastly, having limited flexibility on vendors and factories can be a big challenge for a startup. I have had fabric mills that I work with go out of business, so the sourcing starts at square 1 again vs a bigger company that already has a large fabric library. Also, it can be challenging finding factories or fabric mills that want to work with startups and don’t require too high of an inventory commitment.
I continue to challenge myself to recognize obstacles that could arise and be nimble where possible.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Rêveux’s garments evoke emotion and tell a story— pieces that provide substance and meaning in order to one day become keepsakes. This is one of the many reasons why I draw inspiration from vintage French fashion. This Rococo style era had a way of exuding feminine elegance and family heirlooms that I aim to infuse into modern day.
We are known for our dresses and matching sets that bring bold femininity to your wardrobe from special events to elevated casual wear. We enjoy having the opportunity to style someone whether it be for a bridal shower or a family event— we love having Rêveux be a part of those special moments.
Not only do we aim to have Rêveux be set apart for its quality, craftsmanship and design, but also strive to be known for our generosity and the desire we have to give back to communities.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I have learned is to embrace a thick skin and take every set back as a learning opportunity to get better. Fashion can be a very challenging industry, but you will realize that by not dimming your light or creativity, you will attract the right opportunities and follow the path that God has marked out for you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shopreveux.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopreveux/
Image Credits
Cameron Hayes Photography
