Meet Lily Chehrazi Barrett | Designer & Owner of Togetherland

To boil it down to one thing is Trust. Trust in being unique, whether that’s in my designs or our angles for business development. Together is now 10 years old and in that time we have seen the death of the old school wholesale/retail model, the rise of super well-funded yet unprofitable “Direct To Consumer”, the rise and subsequent “greenwashing” in sustainable fashion, being told offshoring our factory is a must, to now being seen as smart for avoiding “supply chain” issues…Then, of course, the pandemic. Which I must say for businesses is not over like they say the immediate medical impacts have cooled down, you see this in the macroeconomy being messed up, so businesses of all sizes are still riding through stormy seas still, so Trusting in our approach and Trust in ourselves and Trusting our intuition is today what I feel like is the most important factor.

Togetherland is a creative use of our talents that became a business and career by being open and listening to what is needed in the world of fashion. By mixing high technology and sustainable manufacturing practices we created a niche in access for sustainable and locally made clothing and developed it in interesting ways since 2013. In our niche, we produce core collections but also redefined somewhat how to create successful Business to Business revenue outside of the fading wholesale/retail model that squeezes independent and ethical companies. We have also helped other industries learn to recognize and cut out middlemen and waste, and in doing so build better connections to their core audience and customers.

Naming specific challenges we overcame isn’t interesting, but melding into your next question I would say that the biggest lesson I can leave others seeking to create a business or art career is to define the job as a constant and continuous series of problem-solving. There will be times when the entire job just feels like putting out fires…But without extinguishing tiny fires all the future triumphs will be lost.

My favorite spots in the city in no particular order to bring out-of-town friends to are:

~Pt. Vicente to see whales in their natural environment!
My favorite “playing host” experience was when our friend Willow and her young daughter Athena were in town, standing on the bluff directly over a grey whale nursing its baby calf as they migrated north for the very first time. If it’s migration season I think this is one of the cooler nature interactions that even most locals have no idea about.

~ THE BEACH!!!! Many beaches will do, but I tend to go to the less crowded/urban where you can see tide pools, ride/play in waves as well as straight up lounge in the sun.

~Just taking walks in my neighborhood and surrounding areas around Echo Park, Little Tokyo, and the Arts District always gives some color or perspective to LA outside of the stereotypical “HOLLYWOOD” reference points. We may also check out some museums or vintage clothing shops.

~ Visit me at my office in the Fashion District and maybe get lunch or a beverage in the area to experience some of my routine.

My biggest and most important SHOUTOUT is to Benedict Barrett, my partner in life and work. He deserves more flowers for his creativity but also for dealing with lots of business and administrative stuff that keep the machine oiled. It’s pretty special & unique to work daily and so intimately with my life partner and really be there together for every good, bad, and ugly step along the journey.