Meet Sandrine Peck: Fashion Designer

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

Hi Sandrine, alright, let’s jump in with a deep one – what’s you’re definition for success?
I heard a quote that said “ if you’re happy doing what you’re doing then nobody can tell you that you’re not successful”

Before that my perspective of success has been as society’s perspective which is how much money you make and how popular you are on social media. After hearing that quote it really registered to me because I’ve never really thought about s in that way. No matter how stressed out I may be or how much work I have to get done I can honestly say that I am very happy and enjoy what I do. I don’t have to make a lot of money or whatever or even have back to back clients or projects lined up. Seeing my creation come to life if it’s for me or my client or seeing the happy look on my clients face fulfills the need and makes me happy and that’s how I define my success.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My career now is a fashion designer for my brand Elle Existe and a designer for a LA based Kids company.

One of the things I’m most excited and proud about is the start of my brand. I’ve had aspirations to start a fashion brand but never really had a clear cut vision on what direction I wanted to to in. I finally settled on becoming a custom designer when I created a prom dress for one of my friends nieces. After seeing my creation finished I realized that this is the direction that I wanted to go in. I love the open creativeness of making a gorgeous dress or garment and seeing how happy my client is. It’s an amazing feeling.

Now that I’m in this stage in my life, juggling my actual day job and my Elle Existe job I would say would be the hardest challenge. There is definitely not enough hours in the day hahaha and it’s definitely a challenge to find the time to do both. Both jobs are not exactly your typical 40hr a week job. There’s a lot of late hours at the office only to come home to put in late hours working on a custom dress.

But the end result is always worth it. Weather it’s seeing the look on my clients face when she loves her dress or getting a huge order from one of our department retailers at work. I can definitely say all the hard work and late night work hours pay off.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
For me I would always start with the beach because that’s what you do when you go to California. I love laguna beach so that’s where I would go and there’s no many places to check out.

Then to eat I would take her to this Mediterranean place that I love to go to in Anaheim called “Pita Hot”

On a different day I would take a trip down to La and go see a move at the vintage style theater “New Beverly Cinema”. We would go down the street and eat at the “El Coyote Cafe” and then top it off with dessert at “Milk”

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?
I would like to start first with my mom. She’s been my influence in fashion since the day I was born. Watching her sewing random clothes for me and my sister and also sewing things for other people. She influenced to be a fashion designer just by doing what she loves. She taught me different sewing techniques and how to be a seamstress. My brand name Elle Existe was her shop name when she first started out so when I finally decided to pursue fashion as a career I thought it was fitting to carry on with her name.

Second person I would like to shoutout would be my older sister who was like a second mom to me growing up. She was my fashionista in the family. She supported me when I wanted to go to move back to New York to follow my dreams of going to FIT and she still supported me when that didn’t workout. She was always rooting for me to succeed in everything I do and I cannot be more thankful for her.

Lastly I would like to shoutout my boyfriend who has been by my side always encouraging me and pushing me to be better and to never fail. He always sees the potential in me and what I can do. He’s my rock and my person. I can always count on him to be there for me no matter what even when it’s just to go on fabric runs with me downtown. I couldn’t have asked for a better companion.

Instagram: @Elleexiste

Other: Email: elleexistefashions@gmail.com

Image Credits
Photographer(photos 4-5): Aleah Clark