Here's How To Build An Inclusive Fashion Brand

Vanessa Perry, founder of Autumn Body

Selfmade, our 10-week highly-interactive virtual business course for women, has sparked amazing business ideas and a strong network of innovators, trailblazers, and women ready to launch. Thanks to our partnership with Office Depot OfficeMax, we are telling stories of Selfmade founders as they navigate the world of entrepreneurship.

First up: Vanessa Perry, founder of Autumn Body, talks about her extreme weight loss and how she turned a personal trial into a living, breathing brand, taking small steps along the way and listening to market research to evolve her brand.


B + C: What motivated you to start Autumn Body? What problem are you trying to solve for your customers?

Vanessa: Since losing 100 pounds over a decade ago, I've had trouble finding comfortable clothing due to loose skin. Undergarments like bras and underwear are a particular challenge. So when I ask myself the question, "What problems am I uniquely positioned to help solve in the world today?," the idea of improving the everyday lives of people with loose skin came to mind right away.

I believe making innovative design changes with the right fabrics can make undergarments more comfortable, breathable, and fashionable for people managing the same skin issues I am. My vision is that these garments are functional, stylish, and something you'd want to wear every day.

B + C: How has the company evolved since your initial "aha" moment?

Vanessa: My "aha" moment came in 2020, when I realized it wasn't my body I was having issues with, it was how my clothes fit me.

I often think back to my wedding in 2019. I searched for months for a dress that was full coverage and allowed me to wear supportive undergarments. Most dresses at the time had sheer or open backs, plunging necklines or no sleeves. I was frustrated that my body type wasn't right for dresses. My "aha" moment was realizing that most dresses aren't made with my body type in mind.

That experience showed me that I can be the person to help solve this problem, starting first with creating great bras and underwear. Not only that, there are opportunities to have an impact on clothing like shirts, pants, dresses, and more.

B + C: What startup challenges have you faced along the way?

Vanessa: When it comes to startup garment development, there are many things to know. There's design, sample sewing, fabric sourcing, manufacturing, and more. Finding out where I fit in, and where I need to work with others was my first big puzzle to solve. Fundraising is another huge factor as well.

B + C: What strategies helped you overcome them?

Vanessa: Meeting people, networking, and talking it out is essential. I'm seeking and getting feedback from other small business owners and entrepreneurs, too. In the process, I've learned strategies for finding the right professionals to help build my product. The most important thing is remembering you can't build it alone. Actively seeking and applying for funding opportunities is another important thing. I'm always on the lookout!

B + C: What would you say are your top successes so far?

Vanessa: Seeing my bra and underwear ideas made into flat sketches was surreal because I could finally show people the idea I've had in my head for a long time. I'm in the middle of my first round of fabric sourcing, and I'm eager to see and feel what comes back. Finally, we are just wrapping up our first round of market research, and I learned so much about who my target audience is and what they are looking for.

B + C: How have you approached marketing your brand and raising awareness?

Vanessa: My focus is connecting with people and keeping the community updated and involved every step of the way. Since Autumn Body is in the very early stages, most of my marketing and brand awareness has been organic. During Selfmade, we learned about creating a landing page people can go to and sign up for updates. We also learned how to make content calendars so we can publish content on social media consistently.

B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?

Vanessa: Have a bias for action. Not being intimidated by the long road ahead and taking it day by day.

B + C: Congrats on being our pitch day winner! How did it feel to win?

Vanessa: It was already a huge opportunity to be one of the 10 amazing founders to participate in pitch day. I felt amazed, fortunate, and humbled by becoming the pitch day winner. There's been a lot of momentum for Autumn Body as a result. It's great to know that there's so much support for the vision behind this brand.

B + C: Who and what inspires you?

Vanessa: Listening to people with inspiring mindsets has been great for me. I recently took two Masterclasses - one from Robin Arzón, VP/Head Instructor at Peloton. The other was from Sara Blakely, inventor of Spanx. During her course, Robin said "focus is the antidote to fear" and "action is the antidote to anxiety." Both reminded me I am in control of my destiny, and it starts with focus and action.

In Sara's course, she asks "How do you want to serve the world? Another way to ask yourself that is, "What breaks your heart?" I was so inspired by this because I thought back to my younger self, navigating body image issues. I also connect that to every person's story I learned about during market research. I want to find ways to help make these issues a bit easier for people.

B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?

Vanessa: Just explore. When I signed up for Selfmade, I just went in with an open mind. Sometimes we psych ourselves out because we don't have all the answers to our questions on day 1. How will I fund this? I can't do this all on my own ... how do I find the right people? When thoughts like that arise, there are two things to remember: you are in control of your destiny, and you will figure this out. Take it one small step at a time, every single day. When you look back, you'll be amazed at how far you came.

B + C: What's next for Autumn Body?

Vanessa: We're wrapping up our first round of market research, and we learned a lot about our core audience. People with loose skin are not a monolithic group. People have loose skin in different places on their bodies, for example. Simply put, that means people have many different undergarment needs. These are key factors we need to address during development.

B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot OfficeMax scholarship to Selfmade done to help you grow your business?

Vanessa: Without the Office Depot OfficeMax scholarship, I wouldn't have been in Selfmade! The scholarship was truly life changing. If you're interested in Selfmade, but unsure if the cost investment is right for you - go for the scholarship.

B + C: How have Office Depot OfficeMax services/products helped you accomplish more in your business?

Vanessa: I was able to get my first business cards printed in time for me to attend and network at LA Textile, my first industry trade show. This reminded me how Office Depot OfficeMax has been with me through every stage of my life. In elementary school, it was for notebooks or pencil cases. In middle school, it was for presentation boards. In high school, it was printer ink! Now, as an entrepreneur, it's to have business cards. It's good knowing that if I have a need, Office Depot OfficeMax is always there.

Thanks Vanessa! You can follow Autumn Body at @autumn.body and autumnbody.com.

Doing your research is an important part of being a successful entrepreneur. Along your business journey, let Office Depot OfficeMax help you stay organized & save time with a suite of business services to help you accomplish more - from signs, posters & banners to get your business noticed to marketing materials to help bring your brand vision to life. With Office Depot OfficeMax by your side, you can focus on what you do best. Learn more at Office Depot's Selfmade page.

Want to join the next Selfmade cohort? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.

Fashion trends continue to shock us, but we never thought some of the outdated looks that made us cringe would be as popular as they've become now. From barrel jeans to Mary Janes, 2024 didn't care what we thought. Based on your personal preference, you may think some trending styles from the past should've stayed there, but it's hard to argue with viral moments featuring them!

That's why we rounded up the top 7 fashion trends we thought we'd never see again. Some of them are here to stay, but we pray others are forgotten as 2025 gets underway.

These 7 outdated fashion trends that have totally come back around!

H&M

1. Barrel Jeans

We have a love/hate relationship with barrel jeans because some of them can make us look frumpy. That's not a word we like to use often so that should be a hint at how complicated this fashion trend is for us. Still, we saw an increased interest in this and can't be mad at how great some people styled it.

Our favorite outfits included a plain button-up top, balloon jeans, flats, and a cute coat to accessorize it.

Try this style:H&M High Rise Barrel Leg Jeans

Dr. Martens

2. Oxford Loafers

Wearing loafers is never a cause for burning down the fashion industry, but we didn't think the clunky versions would be a shoe of choice for anyone. Some of us can't forget wearing penny loafers with our school or church outfits, but we never thought we'd see modern versions of a shoe we were forced to wear.

P.S. Can you picture the plaid dress or skirt with thick white stockings stuffed into black penny loafers? Or, is that just us?

Try this style:Dr. Martens Adrian Virginia Leather Tassel Loafers

Old Navy

3. Mary Jane Flats

Fashion trends aren't supposed to make us sigh and roll our eyes before admitting we love them, but Mary Jane flats elicited that response from us. We truly didn't know we'd see them so much in 2024, but they were another surprising popular style.

P.S. We have a pair in our closets too so you're not alone.

Try this style:Old Navy Mary Jane Square Toe Ballet Flats

Madewell

4. Metallic Studs Galore

This really shocked us because we thought people were leaning towards minimalism. As far as anyone can see, there isn't anything subtle about strategically placed metallic studs on a garment or shoe. But, guess what? The girls loved it.

We can't say that we gave into the hype, but we're glad people enjoyed playing around with gaudy pieces last year. For all we know, someone will still love wearing this trend in 2025.

Try this style:Madewell The Greta Ballet Flat

ELOQUII

5. Sequins Everywhere

We don't think this trend went out of style, but we saw how many people rushed to wear sequins during the holidays. We even gave in to it ourselves and we're kind of proud of it. However, we remember how annoying it was when some of our sequins popped off and rolled away into some unknown abyss.

Try this style:ELOQUII x Kate Spade New York Sequin Column Dress

Target

6. Mini Bubble Skirts

Some of us were unable to participate in this fashion trend because of the way we're shaped, but we weren't complaining. This is probably the most confusing trend that we kept seeing, making us question what year we were living in.

Somehow, mini bubble skirts were one of the trendy styles to wear in 2024, but we really wish they would go back to wherever they crawled from. Sorry, not sorry!

Try this style:A New Day Bubble Hem Mini Skirt

Hào Bùi

7. Androgynous Neckties

It's not that we hated this trend back in the day, but we didn't think people would start wearing neckties again. It's one of those trends that felt easy to forget until you saw someone wearing one.

Try this style:Luckyvestir Tie

Looking for more style trends & inspo? Sign up for our newsletter so you never miss a thing!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Landman fans, how we feeling? The first season of Taylor Sheridan's new drama came to a close on January 12 with the season finale, "The Crumbs of Hope," and it provided viewers with plenty of to think about as tensions between the cartel and M-Tex Oil came to a head — and one character suffered a potentially-fatal medical emergency.

Here's everything you need to know about the Landman season finale, including THAT (potential) character death.

What happens in the last episode of Landman?

Emerson Miller/Paramount+

The last episode of Landman opens after Monty's (Jon Hamm) ruptured aortic aneurysm in episode 9 lands him in the hospital for a heart transplant...if they can find a new heart in time. (I'm getting flashbacks to Dan's heart transplant catastrophe in One Tree Hill). But based on the fact Monty flatlines and Cami (Demi Moore) and their daughters cry over his bed, things aren't looking hopeful.

Meanwhile, Tommy (Billy Bob Thornton) takes over as M-Tex Oil president, and as he works on smoothing things over between the cartel and the oil company, he gets kidnapped by the cartel, who also blow up an oil tank and drive a nail into Tommy's leg for good measure. But just when it looks like Tommy might meet his end, cartel leader Galino (Andy Garcia) wipes out the other members and helps him escape.

Billy Bob and Andy have actually been friends for awhile, but this is the first time they've acted onscreen together! "Andy is such a great guy and great actor, and when we did those scenes at the end of the last episode, it felt so good, because we kind of had us two old veterans going head to head,” Billy Bob Thornton told Variety. “It was quite an experience, and I have to say every moment of it felt real. Tommy’s dealing with someone now who is really smart. The other guys were hired to work for him, but now Tommy’s talking to the man himself. There are advantages and disadvantages to that. Since he is so smart, who knows what Tommy is going to get tricked into?”

How did Landman end last night?

Landman season 1 ends with Tommy returning home with a proposition (er, more like a friendly demand) from Galino that the oil business and the cartel become allies. After all, the cartel's interested in taking part in the industry — and seeing what it has to offer.

“The cartel and the oil industry are kind of these odd neighbors living side by side in West Texas,” co-creator Christian Wallace tells Variety. “Now Andy’s character is thinking he is going to make a change and utilize that proximity in a way that could benefit him.”

Hopefully Paramount+ greenlights Landman season 2 so we can see just what happens between Galino and Tommy in the future...and if Monty makes it out of the hospital alive.

What did you think about the Landman finale? If you're a Taylor Sheridan fan who's still reeling from those final moments — and the Yellowstone finale — check out 17 TV Shows Yellowstone Fans Should Watch Next.

The hottest bag trends for 2025 are here, and they’re quick to make a bold statement in every shape, size, and color. This year’s bag styles are already super exciting, ranging from retro to modern – plus, they’re pretty much wearable for any occasion.

Find a bag that truly matches your vibe with these top 6 bag trends for 2025!

Urban Outfitters

Silence + Noise Suede Fringe Hobo Sling Bag

1. Fringe-y Bags

Fringe is just plain fun. Echoing the popularity of the ever-Western cowboy boot trend from 2024 (and also carrying a bit of retro flair), this bag trend definitely has enough detail to get heads turning your way.

Time Resistance

Time Resistance Little Dorrit Leather Barrel Bag

2. Doctor Bags

Also known as medicine bags, doctor bags literally recall the bags doctors would take with them to make house calls. They're gonna be super popular in 2025, so get to shoppin' with this adorable green design. Similar bag styles to look out for include satchel and duffle bags.

Madewell

Madewell The Essential Medium Bucket Tote

3. Bucket Bags

Bucket bags will continue to be a huge hit in 2025. Not only are they cute, they're also practical, thanks to their larger size. This pick from Madewell could easily fit any and every essential you need for the workday – laptop included.

Free People

Free People Movement Quilted Carryall Bag

4. Puffy Bags

Things are about to get... puffy. Texture of any kind will instantly draw eyes to your outfit, but there's something so unique about the up-and-coming puffy bag! Typically, you'd find this pattern on a down coat or puffer jacket, so it's familiar enough that you won't feel overly wacky wearing this bag trend.

Anthropologie

Anthropologie The Love Knot Slouchy Bag

5. Slouchy Bags

Slouchy bags are also on the rise for 2025. Plus, the larger, the better! You can find slouchy bags in all kinds of fabrications, so you're sure to find one that speaks to your personal style and daily toting needs. This black leather one will wear well with any ensemble.

Quince

Quince Italian Suede Slouchy Shoulder Bag

6. Suede Bags

Suede is truly timeless. The material is about to be everywhere this year – garments, shoes, and even bags will be decked out in it. Try out the trend with a sophisticated style like this one from Quince!

Subscribe to our newsletter to shop more of the hottest 2025 fashion trends!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

It Ends With Us has quickly become the most memorable movie of Blake Lively's career after rumors of drama between her and costar & director Justin Baldonimorphed into a full-on legal battle. And after the feud was uncovered, the internet has spiraled over what Blake Lively's relationships with her other costars are like — and whether what's happening behind the scenes of her movies are going to delay them. Well, A Simple Favor 2 director Paul Feig had the perfect response to rumors that another feud between Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick caused Amazon to shelve the movie.

Here's exactly what A Simple Favor 2 director Paul Feig had to say about Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively's relationship.

Paul Feig offers a very promising update on 'A Simple Favor 2'

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

When a viral tweet claimed that Amazon had indefinitely delayed A Simple Favor 2 because of a feud between Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick, director Paul Feig stepped in to clear up the rumors.

"Despite glowing test screenings, Blake Lively’s refusal to promote—amid her messy legal battle with Justin Baldoni—and growing tensions with Anna Kendrick have derailed the sequel," X user Eric B tweeted on January 10. "Anna is furious. Paul Feig is disappointed. Hollywood is in shock. This isn’t just a movie—it’s an implosion."

"This is total BS. Sorry," Feig said in his retweet that same day. "The movie is finished and coming out soon. Don’t believe anything you read on social media these days."

And Anna Kendrick says reuniting with Blake Lively was "lovely."

Anna Kendrick also spilled on reuniting with Blake Lively, claiming that working together felt "a little bit like riding a bike."

"She lives on the East Coast, I live on the West Coast, so we don't get to see each other often," she told PEOPLE. "But it was lovely, and I think that those characters have such weird chemistry that it's so fun to just get the gang back together."

We don't know many details about the plot just yet but we do know it involves a destination wedding — and Blake Lively's Emily in a very fancy wedding dress. Stephanie and Emily "head to the beautiful island of Capri, Italy, for Emily’s extravagant wedding to a rich Italian businessman," according to the movie's synopsis (via People). "Along with the glamorous guests, expect murder and betrayal to RSVP for a wedding with more twists and turns than the road from the Marina Grande to the Capri town square."

Sign me up!

Check out The Best Blake Lively Movies to get ready for A Simple Favor 2.

Are you anxiously waiting for new TV shows to debut this year? Me too, particularly Meghan Markle's series With Love, Megan (January 15). But, we at Brit + Co have the perfect buffer that'll hold you over — revisiting the '90s.

Instead of trying to cram the likes of Dawson's Creek or Sex and the City into one weekend, we have the best show you should watch based on your zodiac! We've already made cozy plans to curl up with a cute blanket from T.J. Maxx so we can watch endless reruns of the shows associated with our signs, and we hope you join us!

Scroll to find the '90s show that perfectly matches your zodiac sign!

Brit + Co

Aries (March 21 - April 19): Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Bold, fearless, and always ready for a fight, Aries will love Buffy's courageous spirit and kick-ass attitude. She's got all the makings of a fire sign who means business.

Brit + Co

Taurus (April 20 - May 20): Friends

Taureans appreciate stability and comfort. Friends offers warm, familiar characters and a cozy, sitcom vibe. If you really want to tap into this vibe, call your besties and have an impromptu watch party!

Brit + Co

Gemini (May 21 - June 20): Felicity

Curious and ever-changing, Geminis will relate to Felicity's journey of self-discovery and her endless quest for knowledge. There's also the inevitable complicated relationship Felicity has with Ben and Noel that's hard to resist.

Brit + Co

Cancer (June 21 - July 22): Moesha

Cancerians are nurturing and empathetic. They'll connect with Moesha's family-oriented values and emotional depth. Though she didn't get everything right, Moesha always tried to remedy things whenever they went wrong — just like a true Cancer.

Brit + Co

Leo (July 23 - August 22): Beverly Hills, 90210

Leos love the spotlight and drama. 90210 delivers glamorous characters, high-stakes situations, and plenty of over-the-top moments.

Brit + Co

Virgo (August 23 - September 22): The X-Files

Virgos are analytical and detail-oriented. The X-Files offers a perfect blend of mystery, science, and a touch of the paranormal. What's not to love?

Brit + Co

Libra (September 23 - October 22): Sex and the City

Libras appreciate beauty, balance, and social connections. Sex and the City explores love, friendship, and fashion in a stylish and sophisticated way.

P.S. We won't be shocked if some of you discover you're more of a 'Charlotte' than a 'Carrie.'

Brit + Co

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21): Charmed

Intense and passionate, Scorpios will be drawn to the supernatural world of the Charmed Ones, filled with dark magic and powerful sisterhood.

Brit + Co

Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21): Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Adventurous and optimistic, Sagittarians will enjoy the Fresh Prince's witty humor, vibrant personality, and knack for getting into trouble.

Brit + Co

Capricorn (December 22 - January 19): Dawson’s Creek

Ambitious and disciplined, Capricorns will appreciate Dawson's intellectual pursuits and the show's exploration of complex relationships and coming-of-age themes.

Brit + Co

Aquarius (January 20 - February 18): Daria

Quirky and independent, Aquarians will identify with Daria's unique perspective and her ability to see through societal norms. It's also not surprising that Daria has what some call a 'black cat' personality because Aquarians can have a dry sense of humor that's borderline sarcastic.

Brit + Co

Pisces (February 19 - March 20): Sabrina, the Teenage Witch

Dreamy and imaginative, Pisces will love Sabrina's magical adventures and her ability to navigate the challenges of adolescence with a touch of magic.

Revisit your weekly horoscope to see if our predictions for your zodiac came true this week!