In Conversation with Brandon Perchal

Tell us about your background: 

I'm originally from a small rural farm town in Nebraska, and I studied textile and apparel design at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I came to New York for a costume jewelry design and production internship with Lulu Frost in the summer of 2015 to complete a program requirement. After graduation, I started working at a fur accessories and outerwear brand as a design and production assistant for six months before I was let go. I was then freelancing in production for six months until I was offered a full-time position as a design assistant at Moskov, a luxury women’s ready-to-wear brand based out of Brooklyn. It was an amazing opportunity, but at the beginning of 2017 the company was dissolved. After a brief unemployment stint, I started working freelance and was brought on full-time at Barneys New York as a design, production, and merchandising assistant on their women’s private label ready-to-wear lines. I was doing any task that my manager wasn’t able to handle or have time for. I stayed with the company for a little over two years until November 2019, when operations for the whole company were shut down. Since then, I've been doing a lot of soul searching and figuring out what I want to do and how I can help make a better impact for the industry and the world, which drew me to developing a genderfluid upcycled clothing brand.

What do you wish you’d known when you started out?

Every mishap or mistake or failure is a chance to learn and become better. Even when you think there is a correct answer, never be afraid to see that there is more than one way to go about things.

Best career advice you've ever received?

Never take criticism too seriously, it's a way for you to improve and be better at your job.

What leadership qualities are important to you?

Ability to listen and collaborate with colleagues and outside partners.

What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far? 

Speaking up and trying not to be afraid if what I'm saying is incorrect because, more than likely, it's another opinion that's needed to help solve a problem.

And for fun, what is your favorite wardrobe staple?

A bracelet that I purchased for myself while I was at Barneys. I use it as a reminder that everything will work out.

Website: https://brandonperchal.myportfolio.com

LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonperchal/

Instagram: @brandon.perchal