Molly Bloom was 11 years old when the first season of “Project Runway” aired in 2004. It was the first time she saw an adult do something related to fashion, and she became conscious of what she was wearing.
“Ever since I was little, I wanted to do something with clothes,” Bloom says. After learning to sew on her own, she visited Joanne Fabrics many times where she made prom dresses for herself and her friends.
That initial spark turned out well for the Youngstown native. She currently runs her own eponymous Lifestyle brand, which creates jumpsuits, handbags, illustrations, and other items.
A graduate of Wilson High School, Bloom attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and landed her first job in the fashion world at age 19, developing and designing clothing and working as a liaison between factories.
“Three years on the job has dramatically improved my skill set beyond what my classmates were doing,” Bloom said.
This marks Bloom's first time producing a runway show during New York Fashion Week at the age of 20. She is in charge of casting directors, PR companies, hiring models, stylists, photographers, and venue hunting. She also ended up working for HonorNYC, a high-end luxury dress brand.
After seven years in New York City, Bloom took a job with Billy Reid in Alabama, where he honed his design skills while making practical clothing.
In his final year with Billy Reid, as he began developing his clothing brand, Bloom discovered a 1930s jumpsuit worn by a female pilot in a vintage shop in Chattanooga. It became like a second skin for her, and jumpsuits for men and women became the first major items in her product line.
When Billy Reid asked her to design a women's collection, Bloom said no. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, she decided to leave that company and go independent.
“I work with all my heart and soul for other people's companies,” Bloom said. “I started wanting to put my heart and soul into my work.”
The Molly Bloom line launched in 2022 and sold jumpsuits, handbags, and bandanas. Future items will include blankets, rugs, sweaters, T-shirts, hats, and more. Bloom also creates illustrations for hospitality clients in Brooklyn and Nashville.
Everything Bloom sells was designed in the Lewiston home he moved into in 2020 and spent 10 months renovating with his father.
Jumpsuits are made in New York City, bandanas are made in Philadelphia, and handbags are made in India. The blanket is made in Italy and the rug is made in Morocco.
Products are currently available exclusively from www.mollybloom.us. Bloom hopes to eventually distribute the products to local stores and boutiques across the country. She is planning an exhibition of her own clothing and designs in March in Lynchburg, Virginia.
