In Conversation with Tracy Vollbrecht

Tell us about your background: 

I am an adaptive fashion and universal design consultant. Adaptive fashion is clothing specifically designed for people with disabilities, whereas universally designed fashion is designed to meet the wide ranges of needs and wants of all people. I previously worked as the founding designer for two adaptive fashion brands, Yarrow and ULEX. In this role, I also oversaw all collaborations we did with other brands looking to get into adaptive. I transitioned into consulting to combine my adaptive and inclusive design knowledge with my passion for helping brands become more inclusive and my history of working for corporations and start ups. As the founding designer for Yarrow and ULEX, I designed both men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, activewear, and athleisure. Prior to my role as founding designer and head of collaborations, I worked at Macy’s on the Charter Club team, specializing in sweaters and wovens. I got my start at La Ligne, where I discovered my love for knits and sweaters while working on all women’s categories.

As an adaptive and inclusive consultant, I educate clients such as brands and universities on adaptive fashion, universal and inclusive design, and including disability into the DEI conversation. I help brands develop adaptive collections or make their current offerings more accessible and universally wearable. I also help universities integrate disability into their curriculum. Disability is often left out of the DEI discussion, but 15% of the world’s population has some form of disability and it’s the only minority group anyone can join at any point in life. I’m looking forward to the future of fashion where inclusivity is in the DNA of every brand.

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

There are so many segments and areas of the fashion industry that the possibilities are endless, but it’s just as easy to get pigeon-holed. When you’re fresh out of college, take the opportunity to explore the different segments (ready-to-wear, activewear, formal wear, etc) and the different categories (knits, woven, outerwear, etc) to figure out what you like and what you don’t. It’s easier to get entry level roles in different segments and in different categories than it is to switch segments or categories as a more senior level hire.

Best career advice you've ever received?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. My first role out of college was at the start-up La Ligne, back when they were super small. As the assistant designer, I reported directly into the Design Director, which is pretty uncommon (but I didn’t know that at the time). There was a lot of pressure to get things done correctly the first time, since there wasn’t really the time or the staff to re-do work. Partly out of fear of not messing up and partly because the design director was so welcoming, I would ask a ton of questions before starting a task so I could get it done correctly and efficiently. On my last day at La Ligne, she commended me for always asking questions upfront and it’s stuck with me ever since.

What leadership qualities are important to you?

Trust and compassion, and advocating for your team. Trust and compassion go hand-in-hand. There should be mutual trust between a leader and the team to get the job done, correctly and on time, without needing to be micromanaged. A leader should be able to provide constructive criticism and have understanding for the direct report’s situation, all of which takes compassion. Some leaders don’t realize how much of a gate-keeper they are between the leader’s bosses and their direct reports. A great leader should be the first to stand up for their team’s actions, always have the team’s back, and be the filter between the team and upper management.

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

The biggest challenge of my career has also been my biggest success. In April of 2020, in the middle of the lockdown, I was hired in a whirlwind, 48 hour hiring process to be the founding designer for a new brand. There was no selling data, no brand identity, no key looks - just a general idea of our customer and the goal we were trying to accomplish with the first collection. It was the opportunity of a lifetime with so much potential and so much that could go wrong. Luckily, the team of cross functional partners I was to work with was amazing and I had so much support throughout the design process. Only 3 months later, I was asked if I wanted to design the first collection for another new brand and a second collection for the first brand. I ended up staying in that role with that team until January of 2022 and loved every second of it. If you align with a job or project’s values and you mesh well with the team, just say yes. You’ll figure everything else out as you go along.

And for fun, what is your favorite wardrobe staple?

My wardrobe staple is well-made, long-lasting over-the-knee boots. I’m talking boots that complete every outfit, that can be worn almost year round with everything from dresses to cozy sweaters, that make your legs look super long, and that you can take to your cobbler once a year for a little “tune-up”. I have a black pair and a chestnut pair that are both 9 years old.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-vollbrecht/

Website: https://tracyvollbrecht.wixsite.com/design

Instagram: @tracyvollbrechtdesigns