Shout out to the OG!

I grew up outside of Seattle and was raised by a single dad. He was very involved in our childhood, but also busy building his law practice. Ever present in my childhood was Kitty Bell: our nanny and legal guardian.

Kitty would arrive at 7am to get us up, dressed, fed, and to school on time. She helped out in our classrooms, fed us afternoon snacks, shuttled us to afterschool activities, and helped around the house. As a mom to three daughters, I can confirm this isn't an easy job!

While raising us day in and day out, Kitty was also building her own business, Fossilwear, which is a tie dye apparel and accessories brand. I remember the buckets of dye and the shirts covered in rubber bands. But I was too young to realize how hard Kitty was working building her business as an artist and entrepreneur. She worked tirelessly to create her inventory - shirts, onesies, dresses in the most colorful hues and comfortable styles. She would pack up her minivan with crates of goods to sell at the markets and street festivals throughout the Pacific Northwest. She worked her ass off. Her daughter, Iris, says it best:

“My brother and I always helped our mom with whatever we could. I will never forget sitting on the living room floor with the neighbor kids unbanding bags of clothes, which seemed to be endless. I would help her in the studio, at the farmer’s market and even at shows. It was a way of life and in my mind my mom was invincible. I was one when she began, but it wasn’t until 29 years later that I became involved in the business side of things. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and her thriving business needed a new caretaker, so the torch was passed to me. My love for fashion and working with our customers showed me that I too belong here. This business has enriched our relationship in so many ways. She put her heart and soul into it and I love that it’s my turn.”

I want to personally give a huge shout out to the OG, Kitty Bell! As we build DirectHERy, I apply the lessons you showed and taught me along the way.

Have a story to share or a mentor to thank? Send it our way!

Iris Bell Kosenski, working her tie dye magic.