Meet Crystal White | W|by Crystal White Founder & Business Advisor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Crystal White and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Crystal, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve been interested in fashion since I was young. I always wanted to start my own brand, but I wanted to offer a unique perspective. I was solely focused on filling a void in my wardrobe and in the athleisure market when I launched my brand. I had no idea the growth it would see in the first year, but the response solidified the need. As an active, curvy woman, I didn’t see legacy active brands tailoring their marketing or their products to women who looked like me. I also didn’t see a balance of quality and accessibility, two things that are very important to me as a consumer. I wanted to ensure women no longer had to choose between affordability and quality, so I launched W|by Crystal White with that mission in mind.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
W|by Crystal White is a premium athleisure and accessory brand specializing in products that support women with active lifestyles. What sets W apart is an eye for products that fill. voids in our customer’s lives. We make thoughtful considerations to ensure the fit is top-notch, caring for our pieces is easy, and that our designs stand the test of time. As founder, I am most proud of how we have connected with our community of active, incredible women who shape families, build companies, and foster growth in their own unique ways.

Building W has been a labor of love. An experience that has stretched me as a person, as a woman, as a consumer, and as a founder. I have learned so much about how to best serve my consumer while remaining innovative and prioritizing quality. I founded W following my personal weight loss journey and struggles with finding quality activewear that fit well and didn’t break the bank. I built this brand for women with the same issues as myself.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Detroit is a vibrant city with its own unique style, lingo, and energy. We love cafés, good cocktails, and good food around here so I’d start newcomers off with a morning at Mad Nice Goods for coffee and pastries before heading over to the Detroit Institute of Arts to see what new exhibits are on display. Next, I’d opt for lunch at Central Kitchen. A great downtown spot with elevated American Food and a wide variety of boozy drinks, if you fancy a day beverage. The Shinola Hotel is within walking distance and one of the best hotels in the city, so on the way back to the room to freshen up, we’d stop by the Nike store on Woodward or stop by The Lip Bar to pick up a few essentials for the night’s makeup look. For dinner, we’d stay at the Shinola Hotel for dinner at San Morello, and walk around to the Evening Bar for a nightcap.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate this shoutout to my mother, Tenacious D. She led me to fashion and let me find my way with it. Without her, I would have never discovered my passion for garment construction, and fashion design. Her sitting down with me at that Brother sewing machine all those years ago, helped me to develop my skill and therefore my dream of starting my own fashion brand one day. For that, I’ll forever be grateful!

Website: https://www.wbycrystalwhite.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamcrystalwhite

Twitter: https://www.x.com/crystalxwhite

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wbycrystalwhite

Image Credits
@thegvimage
@aymrwilson