An Interview With Monica Sanders
Knowledge that you can’t do it all yourself and you don’t know it all. That you need to bring in talent to help you achieve your goals.
As ‘slow fashion’ grows in popularity, more fashion companies are jumping on the bandwagon. Renewable consumption has been gaining popularity for a while, as people recognize its importance, and many fashion companies want to be a part of this change. In this interview series, we are talking to business leaders in the fashion industry to discuss why they are embracing slow fashion and renewable consumption. As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Rhonda Swenson, Founder, CEO and Design Director.
Rhonda founded Krimson Klover in 2009, and ever since she has been leading the company’s product design. Bringing to market sustainable fashion with a sassy, fun and energetic flair. Being a lifelong avid skier, cyclist, and travel enthusiast, Rhonda’s inspiration is to make apparel that every woman can feel comfortable and confident in; all while choosing sustainable materials, elevating women, and supporting the quality of slow fashion.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood “backstory”?
I grew up in a big outdoorsy family on a large ranch in Texas. I was always active and loved to spend my time outdoors, whether it was hiking, biking, catching frogs or barrel racing. My love affair with skiing began at the age of 11 when I was invited on a ski trip. From there on out, I took every opportunity I could to go out and ski. This led me to eventually choose to attend the University of Colorado — Boulder, where I could follow my passion for the outdoors.
Can you tell us the story about what led you to this particular career path?
Upon graduation from CU Boulder, I moved to Vail, CO. and worked at a sports shop on weekdays and as a ski instructor on weekends. The people I met and experiences I had in those first couple of years living and working in Vail, made me realize that I’d like to make a career in the outdoor industry.
Besides my passion for the outdoors, from a very young age I also loved knitting. Combining two of my biggest passions, I ended up working for a small sweater company, selling and designing sweaters. I eventually ended up buying the company; and, Krimson Klover is actually my third brand that specializes in sweaters.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
- Bold: born into a dynamic Texas ranching family, I learned at a young age to take risks and fight for what I believed in.
- I have always believed that failure is not an option. In my career I have stumbled a few times. With wars breaking out, lack of snow, economic downturns. I have always picked back up and kept going forward. Where there is a will, there is a way. And if you want something badly enough you can figure it out.
- Not being afraid to ask for help. I have had so many amazing people give me great advice over the years. From competitors, leaders in our industry or friends of family. I have had so many doors opened for me because I reached out and asked for help.
What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?
We create fun, high quality and versatile fashionable apparel that is long-lasting, ethically sourced to help women look and feel their best — so they can confidently pursue their passions. Our products allow women to be perfectly present. To soak in the moment a little longer.
Do you have a favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share a story of how that was relevant to you in your life?
Go for it! What have you got to lose? But you will have regret for not trying.
Who is your fashion hero or heroine? Why?
Absolutely Rosita Missoni. What she and her husband created is incredible. They have always taken knitwear to places no one else has. They are, in my opinion, the leaders in innovative knitwear. Creating works of art.
Why did you decide to create and use a sustainable business model for your fashion brand?
Growing up on a ranch I saw first hand the impact on the earth, the animals and the staff as a result of whatever decisions my family made. I’m proud that my family always chose the best decisions to protect it all. I started my business years ago because of my love of the outdoors, our industry and travel. And I really believe that we have to do everything we can to have as little impact on all of it. We do this by buying from sources that we know care about the same and can stand behind it. We design with longevity in mind. Creating things that will stand the test of time and not be a one season and done item.
What are three things we should all know about “slow fashion”?
- Ethically Sourced- We work with third-party certification partners like The Good Cashmere Standard and The Responsible Wool Standard to ensure the welfare and working conditions of people and animals meet our high standards with minimal impact to our environment.
- Small Batch production-KK builds each collection to order. In doing so, we avoid excess product at the end of each season.
- Fabric Choice That is Better for The Planet: KK opts for premium fabrics like cashmere, Merino wool, alpaca, silk, and Lenzing EcoVero ViscoseTM. Not only do these materials feel, look, and perform beautifully — they’re natural, renewable, last longer, and are better for our planet.
Can you please explain how it can be fashionable to buy less, wait a little longer, or even repair clothing?
My mother always said buy one great thing every season, something timeless, spend a little more for great quality, make sure you love it and it will be in your closet for years. And if it needs repair it will be worth it because replacing it would cost more. I believe wearing really great quality clothing is a statement of style.
Thank you for all that. Here is the main question of our interview. What are your “5 Things You Need To Lead a Successful Slow Fashion Brand”. Please share a story or example for each.
1 . First a vision. Of what you want your brand to look like. My vision early on was to create sweaters that represented indigenous cultures around the world with knitters and yarns from those same cultures. We have evolved a bit from that but it’s still my passion. We now strive to create all kinds of products for women of all types that make them look and feel great.
2 . Passion for what you are trying to create. Everyone knows that my moniker “the sweater girl” comes from my love of all things knitwear. And my love of knitwear comes from the amazing travel I have done and my love of skiing and other sports outdoors.
3 .Determination. A belief in what you are creating and a belief that you will succeed.
4 . Knowledge that you can’t do it all yourself and you don’t know it all. That you need to bring in talent to help you achieve your goals.
5 . Responsibility.. It is hard work having a company. But so rewarding. A lot of people depend on us. From employees to the workers at our factories. We have a responsibility to make decisions that benefit them all.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I wish we could bring more production opportunities to Africa. They have so many resources. But currently all of those resources get sold to big production companies in other countries. Only the farmer that created the resource reaps the benefit. And then it’s gone. For example; so much of the cotton grown in Africa gets exported to China. If the people could start doing the manufacturing it would employ and benefit so many.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Krimson Klover is on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, Pinterest and YouTube. You can contact us through our “Contact Us” page on our website as well.
Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.
About the Interviewer: Monica Sanders JD, LL.M, is the founder of “The Undivide Project”, an organization dedicated to creating climate resilience in underserved communities using good tech and the power of the Internet. She holds faculty roles at the Georgetown University Law Center and the Tulane University Disaster Resilience Leadership Academy. Professor Sanders also serves on several UN agency working groups. As an attorney, Monica has held senior roles in all three branches of government, private industry, and nonprofits. In her previous life, she was a journalist for seven years and the recipient of several awards, including an Emmy. Now the New Orleans native spends her time in solidarity with and championing change for those on the frontlines of climate change and digital divestment. Learn more about how to join her at: www.theundivideproject.org
Rhonda Swenson Of Krimson Klover On Why They Are Embracing Slow Fashion and Renewable Consumption was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.