Tell Me All About It: Q&A with Rel Lavizzo-Mourey

Meet Rel, a San Francisco-based designer and founder of outwear + accessories company Silver Lining. 

I met Rel through a mutual friend who knew that I would love her business idea (and biz model), and he was right: Rel makes classically designed military-inspired jackets and bags that are lined with prints of paintings by emerging artists. The message behind these items? Inner beauty, or "It's what's inside that counts." 

In addition to an amazing message, Silver Lining donates a portion of it's profits to arts education programs for underserved children (like the Root Division in San Francisco). Rel does this because, "funding for arts ed is often the first thing to go when school budgets get tight, but [she] thinks that it's vitally important for fostering innovation and creative thinking."

Amazing right? Their bags and jackets are made in California from fine quality materials and they choose a different artist's work to feature on the lining each season. I love it!

Read on to learn more about Rel + her amazing company... 

What's the story of your biz? What made you strike out on your own? 
I have always loved art and when I was a kid, I preferred art class to recess. So, when it rained and we had to stay inside and do arts + crafts instead of playing outside, I considered that to be my "Silver Lining"...that's kind of the genesis of the idea for creating outerwear + trench coats lined with works of art. 

I struck out on my own because I got sick of sitting at a desk and dreaming about what I'd do if I had my own way...eventually you just have to make your own way.

What inspires you?
I love classic style, art from all time periods, and am most inspired by travel to new and interesting places. The slideshow that I keep in my head with images from past travels is terrific. 

What's your creative process like?
I like to sketch and create lots of mood boards. I want my designs to be simple and classic, but also have some kind of secret, special element...something unexpected that makes people smile.  So, most of our jacket styles look pretty straightforward, but the trims, belt, and cuffs on the trench coats are reversible cloth and leather. And there is a special pocket on the lower back of our field coats for your honey to slip his or her hand in and snuggle up as you walk side-by-side.
 
If you could study under anyone for a year, who would it be?
I'd study with painter Kehinde Wiley. His work is incredible and there is such an old-world, classical technique in both his portraits and the background of his paintings that I really respect and admire.

If you had to give one piece of advice to women (or men!) who want to take the plunge and pursue their dreams of working for themselves or starting their own business or blog, what would it be?
Talk to lots of people who have taken similar steps on whatever path you want to pursue. Get their advice and start to look for patterns to figure out the best path and the steps that you need to follow. That way, you'll feel less alone and more confident when taking the first critical steps. Try to learn from others' advice and mistakes as much as possible, but don't let them discourage you. 

I talked to tons of great people who gave me wonderful help in framing the initial idea for Silver Lining, but giving advice is much easier than actually doing the work, so you have to really listen to the ones who have actual experience doing what you want to do. 

There were also plenty of people who poked holes in my ideas when I first started, but most of them were not coming from a place of real expertise--you can't get too hung up on those folks. Most people are very risk averse, so if someone has never done anything entrepreneurial in their life, chances are you should not let them cast too dark of a shadow over your idea. At the end of the day, you have to follow your gut.

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment?
Launching Silver Lining has been a whirlwind! There are so many small victories that make the project rewarding, but the thing about being an entrepreneur is that you have to keep looking ahead to the next hurdle you're going to have to clear; it never really stops (at least not in the beginning, which is where I am). You don't get a lot of time to stop and bask in the glory!

What's your biggest guilty pleasure?
Binge-watching Netflix. Also, since I work from home, sometimes I will procrastinate by making an elaborate unhealthy lunch.

What's your favorite book and why?
Franny and Zooey. I have read it many times and I always find some new and terrific detailed description of a person, emotion, or place that makes my head spin.  

How do you stay balanced? How do you unwind? 
I've started to meditate every morning. The traditional practice calls for mediating twice per day, but I haven't gotten there yet. I am only moderately balanced. I unwind by cooking dinner and drinking plenty of wine.

If you were exiled to a desert island and could only bring 3 things, what would they be (have to ask it because I love this question!)?
I should probably use the time to learn a new craft like woodcarving. So maybe a knife, a sharpening stone, and a book on how to learn woodcarving.

[Note from Mary Catherine: I love this answer! I don't think anyone has ever given such a practical, unattached answer to this one before. Totally new perspective that I find really refreshing.]

What's one item that you cannot live without?
My glasses. I usually wear contacts, but I am really blind.

Words of wisdom you live by?
Do good. Feel good. Be good. {Tthat was on a fortune cookie.} Also, try to laugh everyday.

If you could live anywhere for a year, where would it be and why?
Japan. The food is the best and although I have only been once, my mind was blown on a daily basis by the beauty, modernity and antiquity.

Want to learn more about Rel and/or Silver Lining? You can find her in the following places: 

• Website
• Lookbook
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Pinterest

Thanks for telling me all about it, Rel!