Today we’d like to introduce you to Paige Victorson
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always had a creative mind and fashion quickly became one of my favorite forms of self expression growing up. I participated in my High school’s Theatre program and felt really encouraged to nurture my artistic passion from my Art and Theatre teachers at the time. However, thinking logically, I went on to college to study Animal Science and work in Livestock Management. Quickly, my longing for creativity got the best of me and I switched to studying Theater, with a concentration in Fashion Design and Construction at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. This is when I started to see the possibilities ahead of me. I finished my degree and still had no clue that I was going to start my business shortly after. Working several jobs and internships, I continued to save money to move into the city where I felt more Theatre opportunities would blossom. But, after discovering the Makers Market scene in downtown Knoxville, I felt I had stumbled upon something meant for me. Naively, I applied to my first Makers Market at the end of 2023. The Market called for handmade, sustainable art, and I felt like it had just described my ideal form of creativity! I was dedicated to help others feel just as individual as I did when I wore one of my original pieces. I wanted to make everything from thrifted or second hand materials and stay true to the definition of sustainability. Immediately, I was denied but that didn’t stop me. Shortly after, I created my brand in February, 2024 and applied to the next market I could find. I was sewing after work everyday in my parents guest room with the excitement of endless opportunities fueling me. My first market was later that summer at the Old City Makers Market and after experiencing how my art made people feel in their skin, I was committed to making this my future. I’ve participated in several markets since, and plan to fill 2025 with even more events to reach as many people as I can! Now I am building my online presence through social media and my website so I can connect with as many people out there!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I wouldn’t say being an artist is an easy or fluid occupation, but the help i’ve received along the way has made me able to reach my potential today.
Since this is something i’ve never done before, usually my first line of action would be to ask someone for advice or where to start. But, no one I knew had done anything like this before. So, just like sewing, I taught myself how to build a website, start a business, run a market, and wear lots of hats!
Without the support and help from my family, friends, coworkers, and peers, I would not have been able to accomplish near what I have today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m the founder and designer of Paige Victorson, the brand. I struggled to come up with a name for my brand for a long time, but nothing made more sense than my own name after I discovered my “why”.
I think something that sets me apart from others is my “why”.
I want people to feel something from wearing my designs. I know what it’s like to feel awkward or suppressed by your own conscious. So, finding an outlet to break free from that feeling is something I really emphasize through my designs.
I hope people feel alive, individual, free, and confident when they wear my brand. Like they are expressing some part of themselves that only be translated through fashion. I know that’s not how it works for everyone, but for a lot of people it is, and I hope my art can find them!
I am a self taught seamstress but went to school to study fashion design and construction in College. I worked in professional Theatre, ran costume crews, and designed amerture shows. I work in bridal alterations, sew for contract and commision work by day, and run my brand by night.
I think i’m most proud of how far i’ve come while knowing nothing about starting a business. With my desire to be fully prepared before I dip my toe into anything, this was a huge jump for me.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I love connecting with other artists or supporters! My DMs are always open on my socials and email is another great way to reach me. I even have a “contact” section on my website at the bottom of every page!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.paigevictorson.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paigevictorson/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567617247557
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@paige.victorson
