Meet Marie Caroline Shulman: Owner of Preppy Trendy

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marie Caroline Shulman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marie Caroline, what’s the most difficult decision you’ve ever had to make?
As the pandemic changed the world lifestyle, I had to examine Preppy Trendy closely and make some serious adjustments. Retire some of our designs and reformulate our vision. Pivoting wasn’t easy as it required me to change our process from design, construction to marketing.That said our meme sweatshirts among many other designs which were an all time favorite had to step back to make room for new idea and style.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
It takes courage to follow your dreams. Ever since I was in high school I knew my life calling was in a creative / art field. I remember doodling clothes during my math classes lol. I had to overcome a lot of obstacles to finally put my foot down and deicide to go ahead with Preppy Trendy. All the questions that fear incite within us prior to dive into the uncertain. Will I be ok, is it a rational decision etc. nevertheless in 2013 I founded Preppy Trendy. I was scared as nobody was doing what I was doing. Up cycling clothes just yet. Despite it all I did it. It’s refreshing to see up cycling now and how people care. Back then everyone thought I was insane. It was hard to sell the clothes I was up cycling let alone find a Pop Up Market that would accept me as a vendor. Nevertheless I persisted.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in the Big Apple, New York City that said there’s no lack of activities or places to go to. I am a foodie lol I think we would absolutely go to the Chelsea Market, Canal Street Market, Urban Space Market in Midtown, Time Out market in Dumbo. Go to industry City, Williamsburg for a stroll. Definitely Central Park with my dog to feed the ducks. Go to the Moma and the Whitney Museum my favs! Eat everything on the menu at Santo Bruklin in Carroll Gardens! Love that place.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This shoutout is dedicated to my mother who passed away In November 2020 due to Covid. My mother was the inspiration behind Preppy Trendy. The woman that taught me to love, art, fashion and life. A woman who supported me through thick and thin. A woman who told me to never give up even when I didn’t see a way out. And above all a woman who loved me without condition. The only person who believed in me and in Preppy Trendy until the end.

Website: https://preppy-trendy.com/welcome.html

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

Image Credits
Credit to Darren Cacho @darrenblvk of Concrete Elephant Media