November 19, 2024
I’m Traci Channer - founder of The Decided Collection. I made the decision to leave corporate America in 2021 to spend more time with my young daughter Nyah. Little did I know that a few years later, she would be the inspiration for The Decided Collection.
As I watched her grow and change (she’s now 10 years old), so did her taste in clothes. Gone were the days of her wearing whatever I picked out without an opinion. We couldn’t seem to find pajamas that I felt were age-appropriate, but that she felt weren’t too “cutesy”. Why was it so hard to find something we both loved? That’s when I knew—there was a gap in the market and I wanted to be the one to fill it.
“My daughter has grown out of all the princess pajamas and just wants to wear whatever cotton clothes she has which are meant as actual day time clothes. I want pjs that are cute enough to wear but comfy enough to sleep in. She will get better sleep!”
“First of all, I thought it was wonderful "decided" means confidence, self-belief, and the freedom to dream big. It resonated with me because I also want my daughter to believe in herself and have a big dream.and then of cause we want to meet comfortable pajamas.It’s amazing your commitment to fabric.”
Keep reading as I share more about our first ever brand photoshoot, a huge milestone for me, my daughter, and The Decided Collection (TDC).
To bring my vision for the photoshoot to life, I teamed up with my fashion consultant - ARD Consulting to coordinate every detail, from securing the right photographer to selecting ideal shoot locations. The talented, all-female team exceeded my expectations, creating an experience that perfectly captured what and who TDC is.
My goal for the photoshoot was clear - I wanted to create a space where a diverse group of girls could genuinely have fun and enjoy the pajamas they were wearing. We had five incredible shoot sets; Spa Party, Slumber/PJ Party, Brunch Vibes, Winter Wonderland, and Galentine’s Day. It turned out better than I could have expected. My hope was that the girls would feel at ease and enjoy their time together, and that’s exactly what happened. They instantly hit it off, hanging with one another between sets and hugging when it was time to say goodbye. As a mom and a founder, seeing that organic connection made me so happy and reminded me of the importance of building strong relationships at such an important age for young girls.
Ultimately, I wanted everyone to walk away feeling better than when they came together for the photoshoot, and I know that we accomplished that!
Traveling with Nyah to the photoshoot was unforgettable. Watching six girls—who had never met—instantly connect, play, and be themselves was everything I had hoped for. The support from everyone there was incredible, with a shared commitment to making the day a success.
A heartfelt thank you to @ARDFashionConsulting for bringing our vision to life with seamless coordination, @OhMissMeganPhotography for capturing each special moment, and @SigalModels for providing the talented girls who filled the day with heart and spirit. We couldn’t have done it without you!
I hope you enjoy The Decided Collection as much as I’ve enjoyed creating it.