Today we’d like to introduce you to Vaja Alaya-Maitreya.
Hi Vaja, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in a huge family filled with interesting characters, and I have always enjoyed interacting with people and celebrating the various ways we all find a sense of self in the world. A fashion school dropout, I ended up studying vocal performance and ethnomusicology, again drawn to the human aspect of expression and connection. After the birth of my daughter, I found myself redefining my identity, and clothing once again became a place where I could explore identity and find peace in my changing body. It was during that time that I began conceptualizing a brick-and-mortar store that would collaborate with ethical designers and offer a space for community connection where customers could feel safe and supported in their self-expression. This manifested into Monochromatic. I have been running my shop since 2018 and it has been an immense place of joy and a huge labor of love. My staff, the customers and the amazing designers I work with are the beating heart of this place.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I feel like most brick-and-mortar shop owners, or just business owners in general, have many stories of struggle and resilience.
We had a delay in the initial buildout of our brick and mortar shell that forced us to do pop-ups for our entire first season, we also had buildout delays when we moved as a 4yr old business even though we planned a 4 month buffer and had to do an entire holiday season as a pop-up in the back of another business.
We were still building our business when the pandemic hit, and that was a pivot.
We have had break-ins and thefts and just general life chaos, but through it all, we have also built something that is a part of the neighborhood, and I’ve witnessed so many beautiful moments in people’s lives as they look for outfits to celebrate new jobs, weddings, conferences, and have navigated all the ways a body changes throughout life.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Monochromatic?
We sell men’s, women’s, and unisex clothing for as many bodies, shapes, and sizes as possible. We focus on working with brands that are ethically made and sustainably focused… and, most importantly, we work with really kind and talented humans who really care about small business and making a positive impact in the world we live in.
I love the many hats small business owners wear. I get to be a stylist, photographer, creative director, merchandising coordinator, curator, buyer, and, best of all, help our customers feel like the gorgeous humans they are!
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I have two kiddos, ages 10 and 12. I spent a year on a Fulbright grant studying Hungarian folk music and ethnomusicology in Szeged, Hungary. I love to cook and love to feed people even more.
I am one of nine children, kinda a hippy Brady bunch, loving but with way more chaos and humaneness
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wearemonochromatic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearemonochromatic
