By: Brittany Furber

 Fashion and shapewear designer Elisha Carter started her brand HERFINEBASICS, in 2018, with various positive and constructive initiatives in mind. Carter explains, “I started the brand as a way to bond with other fashion … and socially conscious women, and to elevate the next generation of girls through the art of sewing.” She accomplishes these and other goals through her approaches to design and business. HERFINEBASICS, because of her methods, is one brand that demonstrates that fashion can go far beyond tangible experiences and be fun yet purposeful.

Carter has over a decade worth of experience in the industry, as detailed on LinkedIn. According to the same source, she has experience in styling, tailoring, and costuming. She has worked for companies including QVC, URBN, and BHLDN. Her styling experience falls under the categories of wardrobe, product, and fashion. 

Her company is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and offers streamlined fashion pieces ranging from, as Carter details, “...fitted/bodycon dresses, body suits, separates, including legging sets, and outerwear for Fall.” She also notes that this fall, the company is also relaunching the shapewear sector of its brand, which played a significant role early on when it began. The design of all garments has the same set of concerns in mind.

Model Crystal Haring

Photographer Ivan Guzman

Fit, ease, practicality, performance, and inclusion play significant roles within her design process. The designer wants her clients to be able to move comfortably within her garments and find the right fit. Carter's designs have an often-underserved market in mind. The designer aims her products at those in their thirties and beyond. Carter’s creations feature what she describes as a "signature knit fabric that not only had 4-way stretch but it is the perfect weight for all seasons." She adds that it is a resilient textile, which maintains its shape, texture, and condition even “after being washed 50 times...”.

The pursuit of HERFINEBASICS, in Carter’s words, is “To Inspire and Elevate.” Carter elaborates, noting that she wants to use fashion as a mechanism for “…inspiring…” the current “…generation…,” and ultimately using this momentum “…to elevate the next.” One way that she addresses this mission is through The Fashion Entrepreneurs Initiative (T.F.E.I), which is the brand’s sewing instruction program. The company utilizes a portion of each of its sales toward the endeavor. The program involves offering free or low-cost sewing lessons to girls.

Sustainability is another goal of the brand. Carter explains that the brand purchases fabric and creates its garments in a manner that aligns with her desire to have little, or no waste left over. She utilizes a pre-ordering system and other means to fulfill this goal.

The company’s newest collection, “Renew,” consists of several dress styles, one bodysuit, and a crop top and pants set. One color within this collection that grabs attention is royal blue. There is an off-the-shoulder bodysuit with a contrasting belt and the crop top and pants set in this hue. The other vibrant option in the lineup is poppy red, as seen in a few dresses. Carter notes the importance of color choice within her designs by stating, “Our basics are elevated by color, texture, and details.” Carter feels that daring to embrace and play with color separates her brand from her competitors in the contemporary market. The designer also notes that color plays a vital role in conveying aspects of one’s temperament, internal aspirations for elevating one’s current mood, and individual personality. She explain that her brand’s blog recently explored this subject within the post entitled, “Designing in Vibrant Blue.”

Model Kristine Claire

Photographer Ivan Guzman

Regarding construction details, the garments from the most recent collection feature sheer panels, cut-outs, soft corsetry, and ruching. Some designs also have functional and practical features. For example, the brand’s “Ambition Cutout Midi Dress,” as detailed in its product description at Herfinebasics.com, possesses an adaptable hem length, which enables it to be worn “as a midi or maxi” form.

When looking toward the brand’s future, Carter hopes to offer a “…live shopping…” experience, foster an improved resonance and relationship with customers, participate in “more collaborations, and…” further develop her “retail” environment. She foresees her brand in a multi-story facility that serves as an enjoyable and “safe” fair-waged workplace, continuing its sewing instruction offerings and establishing more locations.

Regarding, future color trends Carter is looking forward to “play(ing) with the red, wine, (and) berry family,” because these hues are “…alluring, strong, and a good balanced color for fall.” She notes the versatility of this group by detailing that there are various values of these examples that can be used.

Overall, HERFINEBASICS is a brand that aims to uplift women through comfortable, inclusive, and functional attire. Some garments incorporate bold colors that can, as Carter might say, "elevate" one's outlook and convey personality. HERFINEBASICS is also participating in an initiative to empower girls by teaching them how to create their designs. The company also takes the time to ensure that the business operates as sustainably as possible. Carter makes use of fashion in a manner that educates, entertains, impacts emotions, and addresses broader concerns.

Sources:

Elisha Carter. (n.d.). Retrieved 17 Aug. 2022 from https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisha-c-5295391b/

Carter, Elisha. Designing in Vibrant Blue. (22 July 2022). Retrieved 17 Aug. 2022 from https://www.herfinebasics.com/making-it/designing-in-vibrant-blue

HERFINEBASICS. Ambition Cutout Midi Dress. (2022) Retrieved 17 Aug. 2022 from https://www.herfinebasics.com/all-products/ambition-dress-400

HERFINEBASICS. Renew. (2022). Retrieved 17 Aug. 2022 from https://www.herfinebasics.com/herfinebasics-renew-collection.

HERFINEBASICS. The Team (n.d.) Retrieved 17 Aug. 2022 from https://www.herfinebasics.com/team-hfb.