col·lab·o·rate | Anna Lemley

Collaboration, a word that holds so much power. A word that holds, in my personal experience as a creative, the possibility for pure magic or complete chaos.

I talk about collaboration because it’s a word that I absolutely thrive on. As the founder of Style412, it’s the backbone that has held a creative community together and continues to keep it growing. It’s the willingness to work together and contribute creatively towards an idea or vision; bringing individual expertise together versus going at it alone. It’s something I’ve come to understand and see the true value of working with emerging designers, brands and small businesses. A friend and fellow collaborator recently shared a quote that continues to resonate with me deeply, “A rising tide lifts all boats.”

I believe that collaboration is the key to pushing boundaries and finding new ways to create, inspire and redefine the status quo. I also bring it up because as a creative in Pittsburgh for the past decade, I’ve had my share of challenges figuring out the best way to collaborate and find collaborators who bring out the magic and not chaos.

My most memorable collaborations have been from working with the right people: those who share not only the same level of passion, but professionalism. I’ve come to learn over the years that if you can’t rely on or trust a collaborator, the effort is rarely worth it in the end. There ARE plenty of talented and professional creatives in the city; align yourself with people who show up for you, on time and don’t make excuses.

I also recommend finding collaborators who reciprocate an equal level of passion and dedication to the project as you. You’ll know if they do very quickly. Working with collaborators who bring an equal amount of energy to the project can make such a positive difference. As someone who often tries to do it all, I often remind myself that it’s not a true collaboration if you are the only one bringing something to the table.

The most important part (and my favorite part) about collaboration is that everyone wins. Each month on the blog, I collaborate with photographer Kelley Bedoloto, and feature a different local brand with the primary agenda to create some inspiring content and recognize my favorite brands that exist within the Pittsburgh fashion ecosystem.

I do this because I love it. I do it because Pittsburgh is thriving and has no shortage of great brands to feature. I do it because working with others when the magic is in place, is far better than doing it alone.

xx,

Elysia

————————————

FEATURED DESIGNER: