Young women who value modesty and fashion have been wearing Andrea Densley's designs for many years. Her company, Legacy Design Studios, caters to an underserved group of women who love her beautiful, tasteful fashions for their special events.
"There is a very widespread group of young women who are not getting what they need," says Andrea, who sees her customers as unique - girls who enjoy sports and school activities, the ones "who love to look at Vogue magazine," fun-loving, independent young women who also have a taste for less revealing fashions. Modesty is in. Values are in. Yet for young women with both, there are few fashionable choices in prom dresses or outfits for other special occasions.
Offering an attractive range of fashion options for these girls to express themselves is so important. "They want people to notice their whole personality." Andrea started Legacy Design Studios to offer dresses with trendy silhouettes that are less revealing yet still very glamorous.
Andrea loses herself in the process of designing and assembling her fashions. "I have a continuous supply of ideas." She has been sewing since the first grade and designing clothes almost as long—placing in national fashion competitions while in high school and continuing to work as a freelance designer.
Several of Andrea's designs have been purchased by Simplicity Pattern Company and sold commercially. Enterprise for Equity helped her research, source material, develop a marketing strategy, network and build a website that will eventually feature social networking opportunities for young women who value modesty as well as their individuality.
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Helping demure young women express themselves was not Andrea's first entrepreneurial endeavor. Andrea Densley is also a jazz singer. She enrolled in one of Enterprise for Equity's pilot programs in early 2000 to pursue her singing career professionally. Shortly after graduating, a thyroid operation paralyzed one of Andrea's vocal cords and she was told she might never be able to sing again. Again, Enterprise for Equity was there to help.
"[Executive director] Lisa Smith encouraged me to come back," said Andrea, who, like many graduates, consider Enterprise for Equity an extended family.