Meet the Founder

You may know Zuko Blue for its sustainable fashion practices, up-cycling thrifted clothes into on trend pieces, but what you may not know is the creative behind the sewing machine, Christina Hall.

We got in touch with Christina to get to know more about her creative inspiration, future plans for the brand, and to snag some advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

ZB: What inspired you to create Zuko Blue?

C: The brand started as a high school marketing project where we were tasked with creating a sellable product. I have been sewing since I was young and would often make my own clothes, and my friends urged me to start selling them. I knew I wanted to create a company that brought out every woman’s uniqueness while being environmentally conscious. The choice to make my pieces out of second-hand clothing was almost out of necessity in the beginning, and now it is out of purpose.

ZB: What are some of your passions?

C: Evidently, sewing became a big passion of mine and I have loved learning new skills and being able to create my own designs. But on top of Zuko Blue, I am also a full-time student at McMaster University where I am learning from examples of sustainable and innovative businesses. In my free time, I love being outside and enjoying nature. I often come up with my best ideas while walking out and about. My connection to nature and its beauty is one of the reasons I wanted to create a brand that looks out for the planet.

ZB: What has been your favourite piece created so far?

C: The Zuko Blue pieces are interesting because they often come to life as I am at the machine. I figure out the design as I go and once I nail it down, then I create a pattern or procedure. It is hard to say what my favourite piece has been so far, but I know a big turning point for Zuko Blue was when I created my first Twisted Tee. The concept is so simple, but the outcome is very unique. I love the flexibility of the Tees as they can be dressed up or dressed down so easily- it's also fun to imagine where the other half of your t-shirt may be!

ZB: What are some of your style inspirations?

C: I am not an avid high-fashion lover. I enjoy simple, wearable, and versatile fashion: but obviously, I like to keep things interesting. A big style icon for me in recent years has been Ashley, otherwise known as bestdressed . She is a keen thrifter and is innovative with her style and outfit pairings. Ashley always looks like a boss ass b*tch without trying too hard. She wears clothes with such confidence, I want whoever wears Zuko Blue to feel that way.

ZB: What new designs or releases can people expect from Zuko Blue?

C: Let me tell you, Zuko Blue has a lot in store for 2021. We are hoping to do more custom orders in the future so everyone will have the chance to get their hands on a one-of-a-kind piece they love. There has been some excitement around a more enriched men's line, so that is definitely in our sights for the upcoming year. And not to give too much away, there is talk about doing more matching sets and item bundles, but that’s all I can say for now!;)

ZB: Why “Zuko Blue”?

As you may have guessed, the name comes from Grease’s famous Danny Zuko. Grease was one of my mom’s favourite movies growing up, and seeing as she is the one who taught me how to sew, it seemed fitting to have her incorporated into the name. We were playing around with different combinations of the name, and Zuko Blue simply stuck. It was the perfect combination of edgy and dainty.

ZB: Any advice for people looking to start their own business?

C: As cheesy as it sounds, a huge part of the success of my business is attributed to my friends. From the beginning, I reached out to friends and classmates asking if they would model for me. Each one was so eager and played a large role in growing my customer base as they would post Zuko Blue photoshoot pictures on their social media which helped with marketing and promotions. My lovely housemates are so supportive and are always willing to keep me company thrift shopping or deliver orders. Even now, my friend Renée Deer is helping me with website design, marketing, the Instagram feed, and even this very blog post. I owe so much to my friends who have helped out along the way. This is all a long-winded way of saying: if you are looking to start your own business, utilize your connections and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Thats it for now! We loved catching up with Christina and getting a glimpse into the woman behind it all :) Leave a comment down below letting us know what you want to see in future blogs!

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Have any questions or want to connect? Reach out to us at ZukoBlueClothing@gmail.ca

XOXO