Today we’d like to introduce you to Katharine Freiberg.
Hi Katharine, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Arcoiris Denim transforms bespoke, heirloom textiles into pieces of wearable art. Essentially, I take quilts made by artisans that are often up to 100 years old and sew them onto denim jackets, trucker hats, and sweatshirts. Arcoiris is handcrafted and sewn in Charleston and aims to celebrate what I like to call “the magic of the original maker” while also creating something fresh, handmade, and authentic to the original inspiration and textiles. The business began with denim jackets, and has since grown to include trucker hats and sweatshirts. Arcoiris (ahr-kohee-rees) means rainbow in Spanish. I am fluent in Spanish and have a passion for hispanic culture. Rainbows are a universal symbol of hope, rejuvenation, and new beginnings. Through Arcoiris, we bring new beginnings to vintage textiles that are often tossed aside and forgotten about. In 2022, I read a book called “Signs: The Secret Language of the Universe” by Laura Lynne Jackson. The book explains how if we are open to recognizing signs from the universe, we will find meaning where anger and confusion often lie. The signs help us to pursue joy, celebrate life, and follow our highest path. I begged for a sign for months and got absolutely nada. Suddenly on a work trip to Nashville, I saw four rainbows in three days – one in the sky as the plane landed in Nashville, a double rainbow while working, a rainbow on a book in the airport, and a rainbow when I landed back in Charleston. Since then, rainbows are seemingly everywhere constantly reminding me of the beauty in constant rebirth, life shifts, and ever-present growth.
Our mission is to transform bespoke, heirloom textiles into a piece of luxe, wearable art that is authentic, sustainable, and continues to celebrate the magic of the maker. Everything is handcrafted in Charleston, South Carolina.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Small business is not for the weak! You wear every hat daily – social media, website management, sales, accounting, schedule making, customer service, marketing, planning, etc. While it can be overwhelming, doing everything yourself is beautiful and gives you a sense of purpose and power. I work full-time in the fashion industry, so that time management can be tricky, and late nights are frequent. I am launching Arcoiris, so figuring out what works, what doesn’t, and what customers want is super important to the brand’s evolution.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I work full-time as the Retail Buying Coordinator of the Monkee’s Franchise. Monkee’s is a franchise of upscale women’s boutiques across the nation. We will have 58 stores in May of 2024. I guide seasonal buying for new franchisees in various markets and facilitate the store’s grand openings. In addition to that, I support existing franchise locations to help them optimize their sales goals, analyze vendor performance to determine future purchases and assist with budget dollars. I love my job and am proud to work for a female-owned business. I have a strong understanding of the fashion industry and what sets brands apart. Arcoiris is rooted in sustainability, authenticity, and tradition. In a world ruled by trends and fast fashion, Arcoiris features pieces that are seasonless, sustainable, and unique because what sells is what no one else is wearing. Why fit in when you can wear a piece 100% made for you?
Please talk to us about happiness and what makes you happy.
Living a healthy lifestyle, practicing gratitude, spending time with loved ones, and exercising make me happy. I enjoy practicing yoga, swimming, sewing, needlepointing, and traveling. All these things fill my cup and give me a purpose to live a peaceful, fulfilling life.
Pricing:
- Jackets are $250 https://arcoirisdenim.
com/collections/jackets - Trucker hats are $50 – $60 https://arcoirisdenim.com/
collections/hats - Sweatshirts are $110 https://arcoirisdenim.
com/collections/sweatshirts
Contact Info:
- Website: https://
arcoirisdenim.com - Instagram: @shoparcoirisdenim
