We’ve been keeping tabs on Michael Poulos, designer of Living Dreams, for quite some time now. We first saw Michael at the Emerging Designer Announcement in June, and featured him shortly after when his line was picked up by 42 Saint boutique in Scottsdale. Throughout the whole journey of Phoenix Fashion Week, he has remained one of our favorites. The passion he has for his brand is absolutely contagious. Michael encourages everyone to go out and live their dreams.
After celebrating his one year anniversary with the brand, we caught up with the designer to see how he has grown personally and professionally, as well as what he has in store for Living Dreams in the next year.
What has life been like for you after Phoenix Fashion Week?
“Life’s been very crazy, no doubt – trying to keep up with everything, the exposure and whole slew of new contacts you just met. It’s really about the follow up after and really making those connections with people.”
You’ve had a tremendous amount of success in your first year, what are you going to do next year to make it even better?
“That’s the tough part… Once the nostalgia wears off of a brand you have to really reinvent yourself, you know keep it fresh – always come out with new ideas and promotions for people to keep interested. Make it unique. Don’t be stagnant, and always keep the good ideas rolling”
How do you come up with ideas for new designs?
“A brand’s an evolution… You get feedback after you first year – see what worked, what didn’t work. You obviously want to make every shirt a winner so you really take your feedback and go back to the design board. Hopefully your next season’s just as good as your last.”
What ‘s been your most successful shirt?
“My best selling shirt so far this year has been what we call our ‘Sun design‘, and that’s our hot yellow and hot pink sun on a black shirt.”
What’s your personal favorite?
“I really like the Babewatch shirt. I think it’s really unique and funny and classy all at the same time.”
(And in case you were curious, Natalia’s favorite shirt is Jet Setter, and Lindsay’s is Bottles & Models)
P.S. Living Dreams has also come out with some new chambray hats! We know some of you guys want to add it to your Christmas wish lists (And ladies, keep reading for a promo code to save some cash on your man’s present)
Where can people buy Living Dreams now?
“We’re at 4 stores currently. We’re up in North Scottsdale in Kierland Commons at a store called 42 Saint. We’re at Scottsdale Fashion Square at a store called King and Duck. We’re out in Tempe, at College and University, at Here On the Corner, and we’re also at Culture Fresh Boutique at the Arizona Center at 3rd Street and Van Buren.”
And of course, you can always get your dreams on at LivingDreamsClothing.com. Michael has been so generous to give all our viewers 20% off by using the promo code “Suburbs”. Thanks Michael!
Michael and his family at the Fashionably Pink show! How adorable are they?!
What takeaways do you have from your first year experience that have helped you as a person and a business owner?
“The biggest one is just putting yourself out there. It’s obviously scary, you know, you have nothing behind you. You’re walking up with really just yourself and your clothes. It’s really just a confidence in yourself.”
“You can’t ever take a day off on your brand when you’re getting going. If you’re confident in your brand, it will work out. You can’t give up.”
Has there been a single moment where you felt like “Okay, I made it”?
“Thursday night of my show. Just having some one you don’t know at all come up to your booth, want to talk to you and say ‘Wow, that was a really great show. I really like your products’.”
We have no doubt that Michael will continue to grow the Living Dreams brand even further in the coming year. To follow the journey for yourself, Like them on Facebook and Follow them on Twitter!
