OUR STORY

I’m C.Mars, the founder and creative director of Sartorial Splendor. My journey began in Savannah, GA, where I was raised. My life took an unexpected turn after a career-ending ACL injury during my senior year playing basketball at the University of Georgia. This injury derailed my dreams of playing professionally, leaving me mentally exhausted and depressed. What I saw as a devastating setback turned out to be a divine redirection.

After earning a degree in Fashion Merchandising, I moved to Atlanta during a challenging economic recession. Despite countless interviews, I struggled to secure a job in fashion, consistently hearing I was "overqualified." During this time, I discovered my talent for design and tailoring while working part-time at a coffee shop and interning at a boutique. My first mentor, Jason Scott, sparked a new hope in me by showing me the art of crafting garments.

In 2012, I launched my first venture, Christy's Closet, revamping thrifted denim jackets and showcasing them on social media. This platform allowed me to connect with a growing audience, but I quickly realized Atlanta couldn’t contain my aspirations. I relocated to Los Angeles, without a solid plan, living in hotels and sometimes even my car. Despite hardships, I kept pushing forward, believing in the vision of Sartorial Splendor.

After facing setbacks and losing my business partnership, I was left to start over. Even with eviction and feeling alone, I found the strength to rebuild. In 2015, Sartorial Splendor emerged as an independent brand, and I focused on developing my skills as a designer and businesswoman.

Seeking mentorship once again, I learned from renowned tailor Gentleman Jim, whose guidance took my skills to a new level. In 2017, I relocated to New York City, teaching myself embroidery, pattern-making, screen printing, and more. This paved the way for Sartorial Splendor to be featured in New York Fashion Week—a major milestone for the brand.

While the journey has been filled with challenges, from losing jobs to financial setbacks, I never gave up. In 2019, I returned to Atlanta with plans to establish our first design studio and showroom, which we opened in 2020. Today, Sartorial Splendor is expanding state by state, and we have international goals on the horizon.

My inspiration comes from a place of resilience and faith. Sartorial Splendor represents persistence, creativity, and the pursuit of dreams, no matter the challenges. I want to inspire others to keep pushing toward their goals, while offering them unique, high-quality designs that tell a story of grit, passion, and perseverance. -C.Mars