May 2007 Chicago Latina Underground Magazine sits down with the owner, Marta, the creator of the clothing line Bangledox, and former assistant to fashion designer Ami Meleccio, her sister. Here is her interview with the magazine.
CLUM (Chicago Latina Underground Magazine): Thank you for taking the time to speak to us.
Marta: thank you for giving me this opportunity.
CLUM: I am wearing one of your tees right now and I have to say it feels great against the skin ...
Marta: Thank you, we have a special process that we do to get that result, our cleaning process is the reason why our tees feel so good when you wear them, that "worn" feeling you love with your favorite tees you may have at home.
CLUM: As a Latina running your own
business as well as in this competitive industry how has financing your dream
been as I know money is a huge factor as to why many don't start their own companies?
Marta: Most of the monies I received came from family, it was hard getting a traditional loan for start-up cost. I was determined though, so I also saved as much as I could on my own with 3 jo
bs. Never give up on something you feel passionate for.
CLUM: When did Bangledox come into fusion? And what does it mean?
Marta: Well, the initial idea came a few years ago when searching for a new venture for myself, I've always loved designing my own t-shirts so I knew that was something I could enjoy doing for a long time, as for the name I wanted something that was different from other companies and I wanted it to represent what my clothing stood for, clothing in its truest sense, without the use of harmful inks and dyes or other toxic materials that many other companies use to print on their clothing, the organic cottons and so forth was something I passionately wanted to use for my clothing line, as with many others I have a deep concern for the planet. So in answer to what Bangledox means, it represents (to me) something in its truest sense, thats what I want others to think when purchasing one of my products, I want them to know that their investment is not just a t-shirt or cap, they are investing in something positive for the environment.
CLUM: Why Eco-Friendly clothing?
Marta: I am an Environmentalist
by nature, as a child I was never one to toss something in the water or gar
bage on the floor (Marta
begins to smile) perhaps its the Virgo in me , I wanted to incorporate my desire to own my own t-shirt company as well as help spread the word on the environment, I hope to reach more in my own (Latino) communities as we are not as familiar with these issues nor do we take part in helping clean it up as much, when I started recycling in my family it was only myself and my sister, everyone looked at us as if we were crazy, we then told everyone WHY it was so important to help preserve the planets natural resources and what could happen if we all continue to treat it like some sort of city dump, and now our family sees the importance of it.
Recycling saves in many ways...energy and waste reduction for one. I plan on in the future placing
billoards in the Latino communties on reclyling , we need more of those than liquor ad's, and we plan on creating a site in English as well as in Spanish for those looking for the information on the environment. Its important that we know what is needed and what we can do a
bout it.
CLUM: Is your line in stores?
Marta: Not as of yet, however, we are launching a new online store this August 2007 with plans for storefronts within the next year or so.
CLUM: I understand you like using "real" people in your ad's?
Marta: Yes!! ..Well, I had a couple friends and family model for me actually, Gustavo Martinez posed for me, he is the lead singer for the Latin group Cocodrillos...if you'll see, he is the model also wearing my Bangledox Classic Cap turned around as well as the one in the red t-shirt with his head down, ...the other is Latina actress Ashley Martines and another is my nephew, when I did not have enough money for models and such they we're nice enough to help, one day when they
become huge stars I can remind them of the free lunch they received for doing that photo shoot...(Marta
begins to laugh)
CLUM: What are your plans for Bangledox?
Marta: Wow, I have so many goals for my company, as with any new company you test a lot of products and designs, certainly I want this company to grow, I also want it to
be a platform for spreading the word on helping preserve our planets natural resources. Currently we're designing new exciting items that will launch later in the year, I'm proud of this company and what it stands for. Not enough companies out there are doing their part.
CLUM: You started this new venture in a small town in Missouri I understand?
Marta: Yes, we actually started in local flea markets in Missouri (my second home) word of mouth spread, we are currently located in Chicago,IL.
CLUM: Well, I look forward to the launch of your new online store, where is it going to
be located?
Marta: The new site address is www.
bangledoxclothing.com , it'll launch sometime in August 2007, you can catch a couple of our commercials now on YouTu
be.com as well as on our profile on Myspace.com/
bangledoxclothing
CLUM: Thank you for sitting down with us Marta...
Marta: No, gracias a ti...It was my pleasure, creating this company means more that just creating a clothing line, I feel as a Latina and as a woman in
business , I couldn't
be more happier knowing that I have overcome many challenges to get here and I'm still moving forward and reaching my goals, Thank you once again for this opportunity and take care.
May 2007 Interview with Chicago Latina Underground Magazine
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