When your dreams catch fire and literally burn…

Cover of the look book for our newest collection that was lost in the truck fire.

Starting a fashion brand from scratch is no small feat, but when you only have $4,000, a full-time job, and a tiny New York City apartment as your workspace, the odds are even slimmer. That’s exactly how The House of Perna began—a dream nurtured on a table in my cramped living space, where I designed, sewed, and built the foundation for what would become a brand I love deeply.

Every step in those early days was a challenge, but I was driven by the belief that I could create something unique—something vibrant, joyful, and meaningful. My passion for fashion and design was my fuel, and I was lucky enough to gain momentum when I had the chance to show my designs on Project Runway. That experience opened doors, and with it came opportunities that I had only dreamed of.

But dreams don’t come without obstacles.

Last October, I poured everything into our upcoming collections. I created beautiful, small-batch pieces—including some of the very ones I showcased on Project Runway—and prepared them for shipment to return to us from our showroom in Atlanta. My team and I were excited to launch three full seasons of clothing, each collection embodying the spirit and heart of The House of Perna. We worked tirelessly, every detail meticulously thought out (I even worked on my birthday to shoot them so we would be ready for market). And then, the unimaginable happened.

A FedEx truck carrying a year’s worth of our work—thousands of dollars in samples, fabrics, and hard work—caught fire. In an instant, everything was lost. I wish I could say that insurance or FedEx stepped in to help, but neither did. We were left with nothing, no compensation for the loss, no way to fulfill orders, and no way to ship three seasons’ worth of clothing. The future of The House of Perna hung in the balance, and closing down seemed like the only option.

But what happened next was nothing short of a miracle.

My family, friends, clients, and community rallied around us in a way I will never forget. Word spread quickly, and people came forward with overwhelming support. They shopped every piece we had left in stock, making it possible for us to keep going. The love and encouragement I received in that moment reminded me why I started The House of Perna in the first place—to bring people joy, to create ethically made, custom designs, and to share beauty through fashion.

Because of them, we were able to stay afloat, and today, The House of Perna is thriving (more to come on that soon!)

Starting from a $4,000 investment and losing seven figures from a truck fire might sound like a business’s worst nightmare, but it has become a part of our story. It’s a reminder that even when everything feels lost, community and passion can keep the dream alive. Through every setback, I’ve learned resilience and gratitude, and I am more determined than ever to create and inspire.

If you’ve ever faced a challenge that felt insurmountable, know this: support can come from the most unexpected places, and sometimes, the very thing that threatens to break you can become the foundation for your biggest comeback.

Thank you for being a part of our journey.

xx

A

PS. Here is the video we posted after this disaster.