Meet Anastasia White | Founder & Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anastasia White and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anastasia, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Although I’ve designed women’s apparel corporately for 20+ years, it was in what we referred to in the industry as “related sportswear” (think casual & wear to work) and then later “fashion separates”. I was beginning to reflect on my role in fashion’s complex and rapidly changing industry. As time went on, I would become more aware of industry practices which were largely unsustainable to people and the planet. I’d began to travel frequently as a form of self care. As my love for global travel flourished, my passion for swimwear design grew as did my awareness of everything that made buying swimwear stressful- poor fit, throw-away quality, overpricing, & unflattering designs. I began making moves to create a confident swimwear experience that would provide eco-luxe style, expert fit, and functionality that swimsuit wearers can trust. And quite naturally to where my interests were leading, I knew my business had to be rooted in ethical and sustainable responsibility.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I always knew I wanted to be a Designer and took every opportunity available to feed my interest- ultimately completing my B.F.A in Fashion Design at Washington University in St. Louis before moving to New York over 20 years ago to begin my career. I’m equal parts a dreamer and a strategic planner and was able to envision and exeucte a career path of increasing opportunity with each new experience. It was not easy by any stretch, but laser-like commitment made it possible. I’ve had the opportunity to design women’s apparel and set fit standards for diverse bodies for retailers such as Lord & Taylor, Macy’s, Nieman Marcus, Nordstrom & ShopHQ to name a few. I have a unique perspective that combines not only my design skill, but technical knowhow & years of corporate leadership that enhances my creative vision. This makes me stand out as a founder who understands the importance of all the moving parts of my brand. It drives my committment to crescent bleu™’s missioned focus on the needs of our customer, unompromising quality and fit, and ethical & environmental responsibility.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
In an ideal week in the city with a friend, we would walk the Highline and catch up over the lush serene scene, people watch and shop in Soho, then have a bite- or two- on Lafayette St. We would spend a lot of time in Brooklyn- the best Borough! We would enjoy good eats and delicious tea at Brooklyn Tea in my old neighborhood of Bed Stuy. We definitely hit up Thompkins Ave, a booming community of Black owned businesses- like Life Wellness, Peace & Riot, and Brown Butter Creamery (it’s been on my list to try the blueberry oat!)… and Greedi Vegan, an old favorite in a new spot. We wouldn’t end the week without a visit to Brooklyn Museum, seeing the Virgil Abloh: Figures of Speech exhibit, and… cocktails & dinner (especially french fries) at Walter’s.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
While I am blessed to have an amazingly supportive network of family and friends, I want to particularly dedicate my Shoutout to my parents. My career path both as a Designer and Entrepreneur are directly related to them. I learned to sew, hone my craft, and attach economic value to my work at a very young age from my Mom, a teacher, talented seamstress, and creative. My Dad, an accountant and business educator turned university vice chancellor, has been my most valuable advisor whose advice I seek regularly. Both encourage and inspire me daily and ground me and support me in so many ways. They are integral to where I am today.

Website: https://crescentbleu.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crescentbleu

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CrescentBleu

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crescentbleu

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crescentbleu

Other: https://www.pinterest.com/crescent_bleu/

Image Credits
crescentbleu621.jpg and crescentbleu672.jpg credit: Chi-Chi Ari