Abi Ferrin – shemakescents

Meet Abi Ferrin!

Fashion Cents She Makes Cents Abi Ferrin is a fashion designer, humanitarian, a woman who uses her “cents” to ignite awareness in global issues and define what that success means to her… oh and did I mention that she is our November Woman to Watch (#w2w). She defines success as “a moving target”, explains Ferrin in an email interview with She Makes Cents. ABI FERRIN, the company, is the versatile and sophisticated fashion brand that offers easy-to-care-for fabrics providing a chic solution for women of all ages and body types; remember the 5- Way Nikki Dress? Each of her Made in the U.S.A. garments feature hand-crafted adornments made by women rescued from the sex trade and other forms of abusive employment in Nepal and Cambodia. Ferrin adds, “My idea of what [success] is always moves ahead, so I can never seem to quite feel like I am there yet. Ten years ago the company I have created today would be a huge success in my mind, but now that I am here I have so much more I want to do! I think being successful is an ongoing project, measured by reaching certain benchmarks along the way. If you can see that you are impacting people’s lives in a positive way as a result of your daily existence and making a difference in this world, then you are successful”. Yes, there are plenty of successful women to watch in business, but it is Ferrin’s impact on others that I find compelling.

About the Freedom Project

The Freedom Project is the branch of Ferrin’s business that focuses on giving back by incorporating vendor businesses that are created for and by marginalized people. For example, all of the buttons and most accessories are from Sak Saum in Cambodia, which rescues, restores and rehabilitates trafficked people. These people then become a part of the Sak Saum business once they are healthy, and as a vendor she gets to be a part of supporting their ongoing success and empowerment through their own efforts and responsibility! Ferrin explains, “Freedom is the most important thing to me. I knew I wanted my fashion company to have substance that went past making people look good. I wanted to empower women to step up their daily style and feel good about themselves, while still living their lives”. Congrats Abi Ferrin for being our November Woman to Watch.

For more information about The Freedom Project, please visit www.abiferrin.com or www.saksaum.com.

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I was cleaning out my closet the other day. You know that seasonal purge of clothes that no longer fits my style, clothes I have outgrown, and fads that frankly may be tipping the scales of age appropriateness. As Denia, a SMC contributing writer would put it, “I’m approaching the stage in life where shopping at trendy places like Forever21 should feel…well…awkward”. Don’t get me wrong, I never miss a chance to stop in a Forever21, but I wouldn’t build a wardrobe around it. While I consider trendy clothing essential to an eclectic closet like mine, I know it is better to have a foundation of well-made classics as opposed to a closet full of cheap and cheerful pieces that constantly needs replacing.
Sure, every stylish woman’s closet should include staples such as the LBD and a classic trench; however, I am here to introduce you to a versatile piece of clothing that has become my favorite new investment piece – the Nikki 5-Way Dress. When I first tried on this convertible dress, by designer Abi Ferrin, I have to admit that I had a “get it girl” moment in the mirror, similar to how I felt in my first DVF wrap dress back in the day. This multi-functional dress flatters in five different ways; as a one-shoulder Grecian style (my favorite, by the way), as a one-shoulder with a peplum accent, as an asymmetrical tunic, tied to the side, or crossed tied for a belt effect. My favorite thing about the versatility of this dress is that it is good to my wallet because you can get five distinctively timeless looks for the price of one dress.

Check Out All FIVE looks!

There isn’t a SINGLE reason white this signature Nikki dress belongs in every jetsetters, power-players, party girl, and busy bee’s wardrobe, but FIVE reasons. Starting at $155.00, that’s only $31.00 per look, you can’t afford not to add this to the list of foundational must-haves of well-made classics. Cha Ching… that’s the sound of me investing in quality and quantity at the same time. Want to invest in your style? Check out Ferrin’s others style staples on her site.

Thank you to the sponsors of this post, Brandstyle Communications on behalf of Abi Ferrin.

Which Look is Your Favorite?