Meet Toi Arnold of So Toi

Today we’d like to introduce you to Toi Arnold.  

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
As a young child, I was always interested in fashion, fashion design, & modeling, etc. I planned my life out in the sixth grade I knew I wanted to do fashion but at that age, I didn’t know how I could make it a career. I thought to myself, “I don’t just want to work in a store” but my mind hadn’t fully grasped the avenue that was meant for me at that moment. So quickly I thought “well, I do like helping people” and that was the long start of my entering the medical field. By the time high school came, I was in a program for aspiring nurses with my fashion dreams still on my mind but so far on the back burner. Though, when I was in 10th grade, I came up with the name “So Toi” originally it was “So Toi Boutique” but it didn’t stick.

I started college at my dream school Tennessee State University as a nursing major. At that time their nursing program wasn’t receiving accreditation, so I had to decide if I wanted to change my major or transfer. I decided to transfer. I came back home, attended Cuyahoga Community College and I was given the chance to re-enter my scholarship program. I faced many obstacles getting into nursing school due to the constant changing requirements. To say the least, once I started nursing school, fashion design kept coming to my mind. I told myself I’d learn how to make clothes in 2019, I didn’t learn until the summer of 2020. My aunt found a guy who was selling a truck bed of his grandma’s old sewing supplies (2 vintage Pfaff machines, endless spools of thread, needles, patterns, etc.). I mean it seemed like everything this lady ever had!! I got all of it for $50, I was so happy, overwhelmed, scared, excited, every emotion but sad because I knew I was on the brink of something that would be bigger than me.

I taught myself how to work the machine, take measurements, and made my first pair of shorts out of 100% cotton striped fabric, I was ecstatic!! I am completely self-taught, so I didn’t know anything about the different types of sewing machines or fabric but I kept experimenting to learn more about them. It all still felt like second nature, as if it was meant for me so I couldn’t let it go. From then I kept practicing making stuff for myself, and my family. After making my first dress ever, for my sister in August of 2020 I started getting more attention from others and publicly announced So Toi. I made an Instagram page, applied for my LLC, and went to get a P.O. Box all on the same day!! I had seen what I could do and I strongly believed in myself, and I was receiving a lot of support, it was all so motivating. From there I kept going, but in order to create my brand in the likeness of what I envisioned, I needed more time and dedication to really build So Toi. I officially launched So Toi on January 1, 2022.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I faced many obstacles to get to this point, so it has not been a smooth road. I feel as though I had to fail in order to get to where I am now. If I had not failed, I honestly don’t think I’d be this far in my business. I had a path that I created for myself (6th grade) and oddly enough, each time I’d excel within it a new challenge would arise.

During nursing school, I couldn’t focus a lot on fashion because when studying nursing it has to be your only focus. I’d tell myself “Yeah I’ll finish nursing school but I want my fashion dreams for So Toi to take over” so I wouldn’t have to work as a nurse. That made me come to realize that what I had been working so very hard for, and faced so many challenges to get into was not my real passion. I knew because for me passion is within and not created… But it was so hard for me to come to terms with it. I was scared, stuck in the motions, and focused on my plan that I had forced myself to keep going.

I failed my nursing med-Surg class in spring 2021 and was heartbroken… I then realized that within that time I can learn more about myself, fashion design, and what I truly want in this life. Especially being self-taught, though for me sewing was like second nature, it was still so many things I needed to learn and practice. I didn’t know much about sourcing fabrics, and certain names for things, it would’ve maybe been easier throughout my process if I would’ve picked up a fashion book but I didn’t… I’m weird.

By Fall 2021 I had enrolled back in nursing school… But my heart kept telling me this isn’t the way anymore and three days before classes started, I withdrew from all my nursing courses, exited my scholarship program again, and changed my major to art. All for the betterment of myself and So Toi, the leap of faith I always needed to take a step toward my dreams. I understand now why things happened the way they did, because there was a hidden path created by God for me that I had not chosen initially.

We’ve been impressed with So Toi, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
So Toi: “Clothes that make you feel like The One.” You will always feel like your absolute best self when wearing So Toi, that is my ultimate goal. So Toi is a haute couture fashion house, within it I specialize in custom dressmaking, couture pieces, special occasion, and bridal. So Toi is most known for our one-of-a-kind designs from our very own fashion house along with, custom design: which gives our clients a chance to bring their visions to life. I am seeking to create an unforgettable feeling and experience for my clients, that is what sets me apart from others.

I am most proud of my first collection, all designed and sewn by me, it holds a special place in my heart because it was very nostalgic. I put my heart and soul into those dresses. With me being the fashion designer and model for that collection, my dreams as a young girl had come true within it. It was also my first time making a wedding dress!! After starting each dress at different times, I then stayed up for 48 hours finishing & sewing them all (which isn’t healthy) but I needed to see it through. I had a vision for each dress, how I wanted them to look, feel, and even the setting for my photoshoot. So to see how I brought my visions to life was amazing and I also created my own website. Now I didn’t know a thing about how to make a website, so I did some research. I knew how I wanted it to look and it just came together.

I want people to know that So Toi is a dream come true and when they support me, they’re supporting a dream. When one starts their order with So Toi rather it’s custom, prom, bridal, pre-order, etc. it is the start of a personal journey to make sure they feel seen, heard, and accepted as their authentic self. To be creative, look good, feel good, be fashionable and get a chance to feel like The One, is all an unforgettable experience. You’ll always remember how great you felt when wearing So Toi. All of our pre-order couture and custom inquiry forms are located on our website: www.sotoixo.com, we’ll have many new designs and ready-to-wear clothing soon.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My mom, she’s pushed me, believed in me and have always supported me no matter what I was doing. Watching my mom create the life she wanted has always been motivating to me because I’ve seen her accomplish so much. To see where she started and see where she is now is most special. I watched my mom turn her dreams into her reality and that has always been the example I needed and the accomplishment I am seeking for myself. My mom is like my biggest advocate and also a voice of reason, as I am on this journey of entrepreneurship, I really need that. She truly wants the best for me. When I’m in my office she offers to help at times which is so sweet to me, she also helped me by individually cutting the diamond trim for our “Barbia” dress. So, she’s always willing to give a helping hand and learn how I run So Toi so that she can do what she can for me. She is a true Woman & Mom; the best one I know!! Love you girl.

Contact Info:

• Email: sotoixo@gmail.com
• Website: https://sotoixo.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sotoi.xo/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/So-Toi-xo-106752631890710
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUe_5Vyf-fmd3qu8bJL8weQ
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/sotoixo/_created/