Meet Cynthia Morris Kellam | Sewing Enthusiast & Researcher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cynthia Morris Kellam and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cynthia, every day, we talk about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I have loved creating ever since I was in elementary school. And I enjoyed creating different and unique items. As a Christmas gift for my brothers, I would take old socks, stuff them and tie a ribbon or something around them. In my mind, this object was a ball they could play with. They, of course, would look at it like “what is this? What did you put inside this sock? Why did you give me an old sock? And what am I going to do with this?” I tried all kinds of artsy stuff – knitted, crocheted, hand sewed doll clothes, painted and drew. Everything was unique. Everything was different. When I matriculated to High School, I used to admire the clothes that one of my classmates wore. Each time I asked her where she got them, she would say, “my mom made it for me.” After a few times of hearing this, I pulled out my mother’s sewing machine, visited the fabric store and began sewing different things for myself. Little did I know that this was the beginning of my journey towards OAKouture. In college, I sewed all kinds of outfits – all different. Though I majored in Psychology—by the end of my senior year I knew I wanted to do something around sewing. It brought me “shear” happiness. While in graduate school, I worked at a fabric store. One of my friends and fellow co-workers and I would have friendly competitions and create unique items to wear each day. We proudly arrived at work wearing our creations the next day. I still had no idea I was moving toward OAKouture. When my children were young, I would have them paint their own designs on T-shirts, calling it “Creative Kids Creations.” Fast forward 30+ years later: — The idea for OAKouture began. I was still sewing one-of-a-kind pieces. As I was thinking about names for my business, the words “one-of-a-kind” kept coming to my mind. Three letters stood out: OAK. And because I have a love for trees and the differences in how their branches take shape, OAKouture emerged.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
One of the things that sets me apart from others is that everything I create is one-of-a-kind. I do not duplicate sizes. You will only see a print in whatever size I make it. You don’t have to worry about seeing someone else wear it. One of the reasons for this is that oftentimes I am creating while at the sewing machine. This is especially true of my Kaleidoscope Collection. The Kaleidoscope Collection is where I take “scrap” pieces of fabric and sew them together to create a design that even I cannot re-create. I may begin with an idea to create a couch throw but by the time the fabric and sewing machine come together, it may morph into a jacket. Also, what sets me apart is the care “behind the scenes”. My mother stressed that the inside of the garment – the part that no one will see, should be as beautiful as the outside. I take great care in ensuring all seams are serged and finished – even if you can’t see them. I often bind my seams after serging the seams. I interface most fabrics – even though it is lined – just to give the fabric some shape. The customer does not know the care behind the seams but I am comfortable when they make their purchase. One of the things that makes me most proud is that you really can do what you put your mind into. I want the world to know that it’s never too late to start to put your dreams into motion…and detours do not mean you will not reach your goal. One of my favorite quotes is by HD Thoreau –“walk confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” If it makes you happy and puts a smile on your face – just do it! Put in the work and watch it happen. I had an idea in 1987 to have a sewing business and even open a fabric store. Though my parents did not discourage me when I shared my desires, they were perplexed because I was finishing my degree in Psychology. Thus, I decided to have a Plan A and a Plan B. My Plan A was around sewing and fabric; and my Plan B was to attend graduate school. I would work them simultaneously. Let me be clear — Plan B was to please my parents. While in graduate school, I started working at fabric stores. I finished graduate school (Research Psychologist), started a family and worked to ensure my children had their needs met. As they grew up, I put off my sewing for the most part. Though life went on, my ideas around sewing never left me. I still would talk to anyone who would listen about my sewing ideas. In the late 90’s I secured a position at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as a Research Scientist in HIV Prevention. That did not stop me from talking to budding entrepreneurs about their dreams. I would have lunch meetings with colleagues at work to talk about our business ideas. It was so inspiring. It was like we served as cheerleaders for each other. Even though we all worked in public health, we had other desires and aspirations that really made both our face and heart smile. To me, this was a very important lesson — surround yourself with people that support you. When my youngest went off to college in 2012, I started sewing again. I started having pop-up shops at my house around the holiday season. I would invite vendors to come to my house, set up shop and sell their wares. As it grew, I had to move it outside of the house. Eventually I started an ETSY shop sewing one-of-a-kind designs. My main challenges are around social media. I could sit at the sewing machine for hours and sew all day long. However, in this era – social media is critical to boosting my business. I am still learning how to utilize these platforms. This has been my biggest learning curve. I retired in 2019 and have been better able to fully focus on my dreams. Last year my daughter designed and opened up my OAKouture website. Though the idea started in 1987, I am happily living the life I imagined. I would like the world to know that everything I make for OAKouture is made out of love. I literally LOVE everything I make. I will go through my OAKouture clothing racks and smile at the creations because I know how it looked before it was made. It simply amazes me!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend visited the area for one week, there would be several places I would visit. Most of them likely speak to my generation! The itinerary would include a visit to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta. It is informative and it takes several visits to get through. We would likely stop at Slutty Vegan for a delicious vegan burger and also for the experience. The next day we would go to Breakfast at Barneys and visit the High Museum. We would take a day trip to Savannah, Georgia and visit all of the shops and experience the southern charm of this city. The historical tours are fascinating. Upon returning we would have to walk the 5-mile trail at Stone Mountain Park and then go to the Sweet Potato Cafe for a delicious meal (my favorites include Salmon or the Black Bean Burger). By the weeks end, I would take her to the New Black Wall Street in Stonecrest to support local businesses and we would finish our shopping excursion with a meal at Trend Urban Cafe (the soul chicken tacos make my mouth water). On the way to the airport, I would have to stop at another favorite eating spot — Shawnee’s Goodies Vegan Bakery and Cafe in Lilburn. They make your meal when you order it. It is piping hot when you get it. The Garden Black Bean Burger with Fries is scrumptious. And the cinnamon rolls are so incredibly savory!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are many who have supported, motivated and encouraged me: First and foremost, my parents. My mother told me when I first began sewing that (similar to people), the inside of the garment should be as nice as the outside of the garment — to the point it could be worn inside out. That has never left me. Both of my parents were enamored with everything I made. They kept and used everything I made for them. I recently found a robe I made for my dad 40 years ago. This white robe was sorely discolored but still intact.

Website: www.OAKouture.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oakouture2022/

Image Credits
Mel B Elder, Jr.