Lippy the Brand (part 3/3)

I feel like the world of fashion has gotten so much bigger as the internet has become a larger part of people’s everyday lives, and this has led to some smaller independent designers coming out of the woodwork. So, I decided to take some time to talk to three local, up and coming brands. These brands are pumping out some crazy cool stuff and are run by some incredibly creative and driven individuals.

Enter: Lippy the Brand (@lippythebrand on Instagram), run by 19-year-old Sofia Maroulis from Amherst, Mass. Lippy started out making custom jewelry, but has now branched out into clothing and accessories. Sofia explained she started Lippy “as a product of being super bored, but quickly realized after just a few days that it would be the one thing that makes me feel more fulfilled and purposeful than anything else in the whole world. That’s the reason I kept making things after selling my first few necklaces, that and I always really wanted to do something in fashion but I didn’t know how I would fit in.”

Sofia’s pieces incorporate a colorful blend of the psychedelic ‘60s and chilled out ‘90s vibes. Her pieces are all made by hand out of her dorm room, often with thrifted materials and always with lots of love. When I asked Sofia to describe Lippy and what it means to her, she said, “I look at Lippy as a brand that is open to interpretation to each individual, and something that is a constantly evolving work. Lippy is my way to put creativity into the world, acting as an overarching title for the abundance of clothes, jewelry, paintings, shoots, and videos that we produce.”

Always dreaming up a diverse range of ideas for photo shoots, videos, fashion shows, and everything in between, Sofia has developed Lippy’s unique visual direction from an array of influences: “Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, that Poppy girl from YouTube that everyone thinks is freaky, the Sopranos, Mad Men, the Vietnam War era and the anti-war movement in the late 60s, early 70s, festival culture, drugs, and every single person that I ever meet that is a nice person.” Her authenticity speaks for itself through her pieces. Whether you’re looking for a dope customized pair of jeans, complete with paint and charms, or a necklace with literally whatever you want written on it, Sofia’s your gal. She hopes to inspire the creativity of others as well as her own, and continue to build her brand.

I asked her about her upbringing in Amherst, a town which I can tell you from experience feels like an artsy, earthy-crunchy bubble (in the best way possible). She said “Growing up in Amherst definitely had a huge influence on the people initially interested in Lippy, and without growing that, I would have had pretty much no starting point. Other than that I always grew up surrounded by art, and it was almost inescapable. But, I really didn’t understand it or come to love it on my own, until I took an art history class in 10th grade which really changed my life. I finally accepted that art was something that I always wanted to be a part of so this is just another way I’m engulfed in that world.”

Given the integral role social media plays in the modern experience of building a brand, I was curious how it has affected these brands individually. According to Sofia, expanding Lippy “would be possible without social media, but it would be an entirely different game, with its own benefits and challenges,” explaining further: “It would be really fun to run a brand like that though; getting the name out underground and establishing strong local support would be the top priorities.” She then goes on to state that though social media is not a necessity, per se, it is helpful. “With Instagram, people from anywhere can start following the brand’s journey, so local support is less needed, although it’s still something that’s probably one of the most important things Lippy should have in my opinion.” I had to ask her about doing all of this on top of being a college student, to which she remarked, “HAHAHA THAT SHIT IS ASS!! Fun only because I feel like I’m in a whirlwind, but the whirlwind actually never stops. A lot to think about in my head but I really wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Lippy’s evolution since it began less than a year ago has been amazing to watch, and I’m excited to continue seeing it grow. It’s genuinely inspiring to see so many young people with a vision, bringing it to life and sharing it with other people. Her pieces are bold, colorful, and stand out, a natural byproduct of simply making what she wants to make. “I think I just do what I feel like and if people are receptive to that that’s really cool. Everything is recycled into the next thing, and I feel like I just combine things that I love to look at or feel like together instead of trying to make Lippy ‘stand out from the pack.” Sofia is authentic, eccentric, and a true creative--and even though she may not try to stand out, she absolutely does. Go check her out!!!

Photos: Courtesy of Sofia and her amazing brand!