Exploring Life & Business with Maria Derivan-George of Fifi + Talbot

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Derivan-George.

Hi Maria, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Honestly, I kind of fell into the idea of creating an eco-friendly, slow-fashion focused boutique. I’ve always loved fashion and how it can be used as a medium of expression. Styling is such a personal thing- it’s an individual’s way of saying, this is who I am and how I want the world to perceive me. In some way it can be an art form; one in which individuals use fabric and accessories as the medium.

A few years ago, I decided to adopt a plant-based diet for health reasons. I was traveling quite a bit for work and not taking care of myself, and I could see the toll it was taking on my body. Additionally, I really didn’t think about the impact our food and fashion choices make on the earth- I was just too busy to look deeply into it. Once I decided to subscribe to a plant-based diet, I went down the path of asking myself deeper questions: What impact do human choices have on animals? The earth? How do we treat the animals who are part of agriculture? How do we treat the individuals who make the products we use each day? Are those workers and artisans treated fairly, are they empowered, and do they receive fair compensation for their labor? What are some of the unintentional environmental consequences of the choices we make in our daily lives? I had never before considered the impact our food and fashion choices make on the earth and was stunned at the enormity of that impact- not because we don’t want to do better, but because many times, we just aren’t aware.

That led to a personal committment to eliminate my impact as much as possible as well as support those businesses who are good to their communities. I became conscientious about the products I purchased  and researched the companies I bought from. With products such as makeup and skincare, I didn’t struggle as much to identify the companies I wanted to purchase from, but with clothing and accessories, it was far more difficult, as well as time consuming and sometimes exhausting. Many times I said to my husband, ‘Wouldn’t it be great to find a boutique that was a one-stop-shop experience, where all the products are vetted for the things I value?’ I couldn’t find a boutique like that, so I decided to create one.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road hasn’t always been smooth, but I can say that every experience has helped me to become better. I’ve never run a business so I have had to learn as I go, which is not my favorite way of learning anything. Fortunately, I’ve spent the last 16 years as an educator, so I’m used to being comfortable with ambiguity.

Initially, the biggest struggle was dealing with the barriers presented by COVID. There was just so much disruption, and I wondered if it was the right time to put myself out there and start this venture when others had bigger problems to deal with. On the upside, I’ve met so many wonderful people since I started who have been willing to mentor, guide, and support me, and for that I am so grateful.

The next struggle I’ve experienced is finding businesses to partner with who embrace and can vouch for a philosophy of slow fashion. It’s important to me to ensure that I am doing business with people and companies who are reputable and uphold values I find important. This search has led to the building of some great relationships with other small companies, which has created a win-win-win situation for all of us: me, my supplier, and the customer.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Creating value for customers while staying true to my ethics are incredibly important to me. I’ve been highly influenced by the book Conscious Capitalism by John Mackey, one of the co-founders of Whole Foods. I believe that when business operates, it must have a purpose along with a why that drives that purpose each and every day. For me, just making money isn’t the only thing- I have to be able to do what is right because it is the right thing to do. I also want to find opportunities to create value, so all of my suppliers are small wholesalers or individual artisans- businesses where many times, I am able to actually speak to the owners and talk about the products they supply or create.

I also work with suppliers and individuals who are attached to a higher calling, so I work with organizations that are invested in fair trade and desire to give back to the communities in which they operate. Many of the businesses I work with are women-owned, which I also love. Lastly, it is important to me that my customers also receive value, so if they purchase a product from me, they will know that it is coming from a company that embraces the same ethics I do. And, of course, I will never, ever supply something that includes animal products, so no leather, wool, cashmere, silk, or other animal components- only plant-based, sustainable fabrics.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.fifiandtalbotboutique.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fifiandtalbot/
• Facebook: facebook.com/fifiandtalbot

Image Credits
All image credits to Tiananmen Campbell