I’m so glad I met Hannah at a friend’s hiking meet-up in Los Angeles a few years ago! She has fabulous style and is such a genuine, down-to-earth gal! Hannah recently launched her women’s clothing online boutique, Illie Society, in April 2021. One of my 2021 resolutions is to not buy any new clothes, but when I’ve got places to look cute next year (hopefully), I’ll definitely be shopping Hannah’s collections!
Name: Hannah Roeloffs
Age: 23
Location: Los Angeles
Website: illiesociety.com
Social Media: @illiesociety @hannahroeloffs on Instagram
How did you come up with the name Illie Society?
I came up with “Illie” because in college my roommates and I would always say “ILY” to each other when we would leave and it’s just a fun way to say you care about someone, and I chose “society” because I want this brand to create a group of like-minded people who support the brand! I want Illie Society down the line to be known as a society and more than just a clothing brand!
How and when did you get into fashion and fashion design?
I got into fashion because my Grandma (Oma) owned a women’s clothing store in the Bay Area. I grew up visiting her boutique and looking up to her as a businesswoman. I went to a wholesale clothing mart with her when I was 16 years old and one of the fashion designers there introduced me to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM). Then years later I moved to Los Angeles to study Visual Communications at FIDM and I start my own online boutique! Really full circle.
What pushed you to create your clothing line this year?
Being an entrepreneur runs in my family, so I knew I always wanted to. But it felt like the perfect time to launch mine because I had graduated college, my full-time job gave me enough flexibility and time to pursue this side hustle.
Did you take any fashion design classes?
In college, I took all fashion history/merchandising/styling, etc. classes. I also studied Fashion Communications abroad at Central Saint Martins in London. I just recommend whether you take fashion classes or not, there are tons of documentaries and resources you can find online to learn more about the industry. I am currently studying creative directors of designer brands to learn their creative process.
What kind of girl do you design for?
I want my clothes to fit a girl who loves community, is adventurous, and loves to stay on trend!
How long does it take you to design one collection?
It usually takes me a month or so to put together a collection and get enough content for it! I typically work on multiple collections at a time.
Are you making all the clothes?
In my first collection, I had some handmade items and some sourced items. I really enjoyed the process of being able to design the top myself, but it was very time consuming! So I am working now to explore different manufacturers, though that is a more expensive route.
How often do you drop collections?
Honestly, I don’t have a strict schedule for dropping collections. I typically drop them two weeks after I feel like I have curated enough pieces for the collection to be complete so I have enough time for creating social media content! So keep up to date on Instagram and our website to see when the next drop will be!
Do you prefer neutrals or colors?
I prefer neutrals personally because I feel like that is timeless, but I try to mix in some color to trailer to all types of people!
Do you have a favorite piece that you’ve designed for Illie Society so far?
Probably my favorite top for the summer is this white tank! It sold out in the first week and I personally wear it all the time!
You donate 10% of your sales to charity. Why is this important to you?
Yes, I donate 10% of profits to different charities. I always knew I wanted to do this because giving back has always been a huge part of my life! I am originally from Nebraska and worked with/was involved with a lot of local nonprofits that I traveled with to their orphanages, feeding homes, etc. so I am starting to give back to them and will hopefully learn about new non profits and give back to them down the line!
What’s something that surprised you about running your own business?
What surprised me the most was all the business/tax information I needed to learn. It looks super fun to start your own business but there are a lot of things happening behind the scenes like budgets, research, tax, and business plans.
Has there been a moment that’s made it all feel worth it and like you’ve “made it” yet?
So far the most satisfying thing has been when I first launched Illie Society was all the support I received. People were shouting me out and spreading the word on Instagram. I was not expecting to get that much positive feedback from people! So it really confirmed for me that I am supposed to be doing this.
Where do you feel most inspired/where do you get inspiration for your designs?
I feel the most inspired traveling. Traveling helps me see what other people are wearing around the world rather than being tunnel-visioned into Los Angeles street-style.
Do you have a favorite designer?
Probably my favorite designer right now is Jacquemus. I love his past couple collections. They are so beautiful, effortless, and fit the body perfectly. I like when he leans into neutral palettes.
Who would be your dream Illie Society celebrity collab?
My dream clothing collab down the line would be Hailey Bieber. She has always been a style icon that I look up to, so it would be really cool to see her in ILLIE!
When you aren’t wearing Illie Society, what brands do you wear most often?
I honestly don’t have one brand I wear a lot of, I like to thrift my clothing, but I do wear Oh Polly and Pretty Little Thing, etc.
What advice would you give other people who want to launch their own clothing line?
The advice I would give to someone wanting to start their own business is just GO for it! Don’t just talk about what you want to do. Start telling people to hold you accountable, ask questions, start making mood boards, etc. There is never going to be the “perfect” time to start, so you should take the leap and do it!
What are your hopes for your business for the future?
I want to create a men’s and women’s “cozy collection” which would be sweat sets and athleisure. I also want to be able to work with a local manufacturer on a large scale to produce all my designs. I would love to be featured in a magazine someday too.
Oscars speech: Are there any people in particular you’d like to thank for helping you get this far?
I want to thank my Oma (grandma) for inspiring me when I was a kid to pursue fashion. I want to thank my parents for being entrepreneurs themselves that have always been so encouraging. I want to thank all my friends for the support and spreading the word across social media. I wouldn’t be here without you!
When you aren’t planning your next collection, what else do you like to do?
When I’m not working on Illie Society, I love to host people for dinner and game nights! I love traveling for short weekend trips and fun abroad vacations. I like hiking and hanging with friends!
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I honestly don’t remember one thing I wanted to be. I was convinced I was going to be an actress or go on American Idol haha!
Dream Vacation:
Right now my dream vacation is Bali. I have been trying to plan a trip there for so long, but my plans got pushed back because of the pandemic. But one day!
Favorite Podcast:
My favorite podcast used to be How I Built This! I loved to hear about how incredible businesses started and where they are now!
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