Patricia (Patty) Kim Joseffer ’90 grew up in Baltimore, Md. She attended Bryn Mawr from fifth to twelfth grade, and went on to Carnegie Mellon University. While at Carnegie Mellon, Patty realized that she wanted to be more submerged in "the real world" and transferred to New York University (NYU), where she graduated with a degree in journalism. She worked in public relations and book publishing before going back to NYU’s Stern School of Business to get an MBA in marketing. After having kids, she decided to leave a job that required a lot of travel and start a small line of clothing called Semi Gloss. Semi Gloss officially launched its first collection last fall. Patty currently lives in Princeton, N.J. with her family.

I am a pretty quirky person, and I think Bryn Mawr was really fine with that. I remember wanting to start a video club with my best friend Alli, and they were like, ‘Great!’ We made this crazy short-video called "Mean, Green and Mute," a silent film with a musical soundtrack, and many of the teachers made cameos. They not only accommodated our interests, but they let us show it to the school during convocation. I love that Bryn Mawr pointed out what was unique about me even when I hadn't quite come to that realization myself. They made me feel like I was valuable even if I wasn't the typical student.
I was raised by two doctors, and my brother was really strong in math and science. I have a strong creative bent, but I guess for a long time, I suppressed it and pursued a career path that wasn't all that creative. I worked in the healthcare and consumer products industries, mainly launching new products. I did well, but at times, I definitely felt unfulfilled working at huge companies like Sanofi and Pfizer. Marketing is creative, but at the end of the day, at least in healthcare, you can only go so far with it.
After having kids and trying to think of another profession I could go into that didn't involve so much travel, I thought, ‘why not do something that's mostly about design and creation?’ I used to read Vogue cover to cover about 50 times per issue, and I always followed fashion (although I didn't necessarily wear it).  I even tried to redesign the Bryn Mawr Varsity jacket at one point, which the school wasn't so happy about, but we won't go there : ).

I’ve always LOVED a good uniform, and that's basically what I design now, but in a larger selection of color and fabrics. I hate getting up and figuring out what to wear. Before I was really busy with kids and work, I enjoyed it. Now, I just don't have the energy or time, so I want to provide women with things they could wear everyday to help them create a "useful" closet. As the mom of two young kids, I felt there was a gap in terms of durable, low maintenance pieces that were also more stylish, where you could look cool but also not be afraid of getting smeared by sticky hands. With Semi Gloss, utility and comfort are highly prioritized, but we try to balance the practicality with elevated design and a sense of playfulness. I love finding amazing fabrics and marrying them to the right shapes. I try to incorporate a lightness to the collections, a belief that life shouldn't be taken so seriously and neither should one's wardrobe. I pretty much wear the same four Semi Gloss pieces in rotation.
Bryn Mawr was more than just the curriculum and classes. I loved having amazing, strong role models like Ms. Dallam, who displayed sincere passion about the content they teach. 
It's really fulfilling but also very scary because everything is completely new, and everyone is at least 10 years younger than me! My least favorite part of the job is social media. Unfortunately, it's a huge part of the marketing and selling of a brand, but I’d love to get an intern as my brain is just not wired that way. Semi Gloss is a “one-man-show." I design the clothes, but I also taught myself how to build a website on Shopify, create my logo on Photoshop, edit photography, take basic photos, etc.  There are so many tools out there for entrepreneurs these days, it's incredible. There are also a ton of YouTube videos that walk you through the steps of doing these things.  I use a factory in New York City to make the clothing, but that's about it. You'd be surprised what you can do on your own if you just try!
I want Bryn Mawr students to know two things. One, that there is no setback you cannot come back from, especially when you're 18! Whether you get into your dream school or not, your life is in YOUR control and you can always shape the future. And second, try everything, and try your best when doing it.  People get stuck when they feel like they don't know what they want to do with their lives or their career. Keep trying things, even if it feels random, and do them in earnest. In these experiences, you'll learn a TON about things you like doing, and things you’re good at.
 
Follow Semi Gloss on Instagram @semiglossnyc.
 
 
Located in Baltimore, Maryland, The Bryn Mawr School is a private all-girls pre-kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school with a coed preschool for ages 2 months through 5 years. Bryn Mawr provides students with exceptional educational opportunities on a beautiful 26-acre campus within the city limits. Inquisitive girls, excellent teaching, strong student-teacher relationships and a clear mission sustain our vibrant school community where girls always come first.