Harmonic Threads is a well-known clothing company created and managed by Olive Marie. Based out of Detroit, MI, Olive provides stylish custom clothing for hoopers, fire spinners, and festival goers.
These days, it’s easy to recognize her unique designs among the crowd at a festival. We wanted to know more about where it all started and how Olive has brought Harmonic Threads to where it’s at today, so we reached out with a few questions to better understand her story. You’ll find her answers below.
How long have you been in business?
Coming up on 4 years! January 15, 2016 will be Harmonic Threads’ 4th birthday
What is your mission as a vendor? As a flow artist?
To inspire others to go out and follow their dreams! I really started out with nothing and turned it into a full time business. It is possible! I also love making people feel awesome in their clothes.
Harmonic Thread’s clothing boasts an average of 5/5 stars on Etsy among her whopping 1,400+ reviews. Happy customers often mention how fitting and comfortable they are, in addition to the fantastic look they provide. Click on the image to check out her Ruffle Romper!
Do you have supplemental income?
Harmonic Threads is my full time job and the only way I financially support myself!
What did you do before you were a flow artist?
I worked at a law firm as an Administrative Assistant for 5 years. I was studying Spanish, French, and German in college. I’ve always had a fascination for languages. I wanted to be a freelance translator/interpreter so I could travel the world. But now I get to travel the world for an entirely different reason- flow arts!
How did the company get started? What’s the story?
Well. I was living in my friends garage in Oakland, CA. I was super broke, like -$25 in my bank account broke. For my 22nd birthday on November 8, 2011, my amazing roommate Andrew loaned me $500. I have no idea what made him want to give out that kind of cash, but he did. So I used that money to pay off some random bills and to buy my first big batch of fabric. I used that fabric to prototype my first designs. I was able to pay him back the $500 in 3 months and the rest just slowly grew from there.
The company has come a long way since then, and now you can find Olive’s clothing being worn at most flow festivals. There are great and unique options for all genders. Click the image below to check out her Asymmetrical T-Shirt for men.
How much time does it take and what does it entail to create your most popular product?
We have our own little process in the studio for filling orders. I will print and organize the order receipts, they go to the studio where every order gets cut one by one, then sewn on a serger, and then hemmed on a finishing machine. Each item varies in the amount of time it takes since it’s a 3 step process.
How many prototypes did you test before releasing your most popular product?
A lot. One of my first designs was the bustle booty onesie. I completely redid the design after it had been out for a while and renamed it the 2.0. After the major redesign there have just been numerous tweaks here and there. Clothing prototyping can be interesting as you have so many different body types to work with.
How does one even go about testing these products?
Make a few different sizes and have your friends try them on! Then make design changes as needed.
Her testing has resulted in numerous interesting looks and styles, and the color choices are awesome! I’m particularly fond of that purple. It reminds me of a certain FLAME Festival.
Click the image below to check out Harmonic Thread’s Criss Cross Top.
What are some special projects you’re working on?
I’m working on creating another clothing line! It will be higher on the price scale and a little more higher end but I believe will still peak the interest of flow arts… that’s all I’m saying for now!
What does the future hold for you and your company?
Right now I am working on moving us into a studio/small retail space. We are running out of the master bedroom in my house and it’s a little crazy! I would like to get another machine or two and expand what we are capable of. We’ve started to do some wholesale orders for small clothing boutiques. I am very excited about growing production and creating more jobs that are desperately needed here in the Detroit area.
What festivals are you planning on attending this year?
I intend on vending FLAME Festival, Kinetic Fire, PlayThink, and a few more.
Try to make it out to some of those festivals so you can visit Harmonic Threads at a festival. She sets up quite a cool shop!
Thank you for taking the time to read about Olive’s story of Harmonic Threads. We love what she’s creating and wish her continued success for the holiday season, next year, and beyond.
Questions? Comments? Perhaps you have some pictures of yourself in your Harmonic Threads wear? Post it in the comments below! We’d love to see. 🙂