A society that focuses on empowering women thinks about the future. Simonetta Lein
“It is all about helping women.”
This phrase really caught my attention when I first talked with Morris C Rishty. Morris is a Millennial entrepreneur, one of those movers and shakers that are behind many fashion brands you see around. From ABS by Allen Schwartz to Cynthia Rowley and Urban Outfitters to name just a few. He makes them happen. Literally, he is the person who puts together the production from idea to execution in order to deliver some of the most loved brands out there. What fascinated me was his genuine love for women. In a way, he has created his personal business with the intent to empower women and make them feel beautiful, sexy, and confident.
Morris is a smart entrepreneur. His passion as a Millennial is palpable: to communicate more than a simple brand. Morris as a man understands the importance of a world that supports women, and wants to celebrate them with something they might feel represents them and be REAL to them. He also wants to celebrate humanity in all its beautiful normality and amazing individuality. This is the driving force behind this young entrepreneur and his brand: REAL.
When you were a child, did you imagine yourself where you are today?
When I was a kid, I did not think much about what it was I wanted to do as far as profession. All I knew was that I wanted to make a mark on the world, a change for the better in some capacity.
How did you get into the lingerie business?
It is actually a very funny story. A friend asked me to intern at his company as a summer job when I was 16. I thought it would be cool to learn how to design clothing and his company made women’s lingerie. I really enjoyed being creative and coming up with new ideas for product, and new ways of selling it. I quickly realized that product development was something that I truly enjoyed and was excited to spend many more years of my life doing that. As a man, it is definitely quite amusing when people ask me what I do every day and of course you always get that reaction like “C’mon, are you for real?”
When was your brand founded, and how did you come up with the name Real?
Real was founded in 2005. The name came to me as I was searching for a name that could appeal to both men and women. I started in women’s underwear first, but our men’s line is launching in the next 60 days. We are excited to continue growing our business into new categories. In the next 12 months, we will be more than an underwear company to both men and women.
**While learning how to celebrate women, Morris decided to reach out to the entire market and celebrate men as well. However, the approach is the same, get inspired by a brand and follow the thought behind it. How real are you with yourself?
What does Real mean to you?
To be real is to be authentic: to be your true self. I feel that being Real resonates with people around the globe more today than ever. In this age of social media, and technology, people are learning to love themselves more and to appreciate their uniqueness. We want to represent those people. Real stands for individuality, and self-love. We hope to inspire men and women around the world to be true to their real self.
**I feel we still have a lot of work to do, but that gap between ‘fake’ models and real women is narrowing. We are finally starting to understand that no one body is perfect, are learning to appreciate personality, and how to improve ourselves both inside and outside. Social media is a reflection of society. Therefore, if at the beginning society wanted to show one face, now it is coming full circle and people are more and more into real messages and real forms. I am not saying that the “Photoshop” world is wrong, but what I am saying is that people have wised up to the process. Henceforth brands are responding evermore so to requests from their costumers: do not show me who I will never be, help me to be the best of me.
What do you think sets your brand apart from other lingerie brands?
Real is more of a lifestyle than a lingerie brand. Our design team is made up of real people, conveying what the public really wants and needs. I think that the old manners of branding in some ways are over. Building an image that doesn’t properly represent the product or the customer you are selling is over. We are building our brand based on the average man or woman because our customers represent our brand, because everyone is different and that’s what life is all about.
**I encourage you to go to Real’s Instagram and scroll down to see the amazing women that are featured. It is encouraging to see someone out there who is saying to the female world: you are beautiful for who you are; you do not need Photoshop or extra luxury treatments, just share your true self with class and taste. You will be surprised on the true beauty you find behind real people.
What are the biggest obstacles you have faced on your road to success?
Since 2005 our business has changed countless times. Of course, like any business along the way we’ve had our ups and downs. We have learned a lot from our experiences and have used that information to become who we are today. I believe that we can do a lot of good in the world by starting with making the right underwear that people need at a fair value, and donating some of the profits to major causes around the world. I hope that Real people will join our cause and shop our brand so together; we can make the world a better place.
**This is the mentality we need, as a founder of The Wishwall Foundation I quickly understood the importance of giving back - in everything you do. If you think about who will benefit, and who you can help, life will give back to you as well. In 2017 businesses that grow are those that understand the importance of bringing value.
Tell me about a project or accomplishment that you consider the most significant in your career.
I would say that this project is the closest to my heart and the clearest vision I have ever had. Creating a lifestyle brand for everyone, no matter gender, color or shape our goal is to have something for everyone’s needs.
As a Millennial Entrepreneur, what advice do you have for other entrepreneurs your age?
I get this question a lot, and my answer has never changed. Do what you love, regardless of the immediate financial gain and make sure to find a way to help others. This combination is certain to make you successful in the long run and keep you happy when you wake up in the morning.
**This phrase should be in the bible of the entrepreneur. Please read it and re read it again
If you could go back in time and ask one question from anyone in history, whom would you want to meet and what question would you ask?
I would say Abraham Lincoln. He was a very deep thinker and always stood up for what he believed to be right even though it wasn’t always the popular thing to do. I think that is what makes companies great. When you are willing to stand out and be disruptive when you know something isn’t the best it could be. That is what we are trying to do here. We know that the “better brands” are marking up their products for the wrong reasons. Adding innovation to product deems higher retails. But that isn’t what is happening today… Brands are charging more to earn your respect. They think higher price equals better. We want to earn your respect by giving you a better product and then keeping the prices low enough so that everyone can afford them.
**Do you feel empowered reading these words the way I do? Earn the costumer’s respect. Earning people’s respect is coming back into fashion. Millennials have demonstrated standing up for ideas therefore revamping the core beliefs of other generations. We are here to change a system, and a system can only be changed by great ideas in action.
If you were granted one wish for humanity or for our planet, what would it be?
I think that we need peace among all people before we can tackle things for our planet. In order for us to need a planet we need to exist first. I hope as time continues to pass people will become more and more open to respecting others differences whether it be religion or race or whatever else separates one another.
Who is your favorite fashion designer or brand right now and why?
My favorite brand right now is Patagonia because the heart of their business is doing well to people. They always give back, environmentally and socially which I think is crucial to a brand’s success and character. Their brand is focused on the protection and preservation of the environment, and they give 1% of their sales to fund environmental organizations around the world. They support and give back to the world we live in, which is influential to me.
**Every day more and more brands understand the importance of being a part of something. You are creating a business for real people, and as an entrepreneur, you must listen to your clients and demonstrate that you are there for them.
What is your fashion mantra?
There is a quote that has always stuck with me that I repeat in my mind when designing. “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.” This helps me remember to always deliver the highest quality product to the customer, while always making sure to keep the best value for them. There are a lot of people that can design, and produce trendy product today, but I have seen the quality suffer in order to offer super low prices. We are doing the opposite. We are committed to a fair value price, but will NEVER compromise on quality.
What is your final message for our readers?
I hope that after reading this interview whether who is reading is an entrepreneur, or corporate employees, can take this idea back to their businesses and try to bring the concept of providing fair value and giving back to others and implement it into the workplace more. Working together, we can make major change and we can do it more quickly.
**I am in love with this concept and very honored to have the possibility to showcase someone who is making a difference. I encourage you to think about what you eat, wear, and use: behind every product, there is a company and we need to be more focused on those companies that are sharing the right message and treatment of their employees and customers. If we cannot change the system who can? And if not now when?
Go to www.realunderwear.com and be part of a movement.
As always, make your wishes come true.
From Philadelphia, The Celebrity Wishmaker Simonetta Lein
