Our Story | Black Owned Woman Owned
The heartbeat of our brand traces back 3 generations with a shared love of the sewing machine. Follow our brand evolution across 2 continents.
1913
Ruby Sampson is born
![Antique Commercial Sewing Machine](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0938/1250/files/Ruby_Sampson-Singer_1024x592_114ba8d9-f9e4-44a9-b2eb-9ea1cc65c154.jpg?v=1599939074)
Ruby Sampson is born in Guyana, South America. A mother of 8, she’s passionate about education and teaches her daughters to sew and tailor clothes.
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1965
Ruby’s Clothes are a Hit
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![Vintage Caribbean Woman | 1950s dress | Ruby Sampson](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0938/1250/files/Eslyn_Archival_600x600_4d6ac66a-07b9-4abd-a065-adcf446133c2.jpg?v=1601480550)
Ruby becomes a renowned seamstress in Georgetown, Guyana
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1965
Eslyn Takes to the Machine
![Ruby Sampson Staff](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0938/1250/files/Esyln_600x600_04abf234-11cf-40d9-8589-fd3b08badc75.jpg?v=1599944098)
Eslyn, Ruby’s eldest daughter, learns the family trade and she teaches the next generation. She serves as the principal advisor to her niece and Founder, Ashley Powdar.
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2012
Eslyn helps Ashley solve a Problem
![Ruby Sampson Founder](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0938/1250/files/Ashley_600x600_8d978991-6066-4f21-8a77-d073894cc787.jpg?v=1599944141)
Ruby’s granddaughter, Ashley has a grueling transition into natural hair and begins lining her head wraps with silk. After receiving countless requests for purchase she realizes a gap in the retail space.Â
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2016
Our Silk Lined Head Wraps Launches
![Women in head wraps](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0938/1250/files/2016-RS-Launch-1024x1024.png?v=1599939951)
Ashley launches Ruby Sampson with the mission to bridge the gap between hair care and fashion for the textured hair consumer.
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2017
Ruby Makes the List
![african print head wraps | Ruby Sampson | Our Story](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0938/1250/files/NaturalyCurly_600x600_6c20f8df-fa66-4aeb-9093-600e6c401640.gif?v=1599944257)
Word of mouth helps the brand emerge as a fan favorite with press features in ESSENCE magazine, Spike Lee’s She’s Gotta Have It, and StyleCaster to name a few.
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2017
Silk Safe Stain Remover Launches
![How to clean silk without dry cleaning](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0938/1250/files/Stain_Remover_600x600_0128a6a6-cb6a-4d28-a819-97a37d3c2feb.jpg?v=1599944321)
Ashley and her sister Stephanie formulate a silk-friendly stain remover designed to tackle hair product stains, which passes a 3rd party lab test and 90% efficacy rating.
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2018
Ruby’s Original Home Becomes Headquarters
![Ruby Sampson headquarters](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0938/1250/files/2018_HQ_600x600_d9cfdaa4-4022-406b-82a2-aefa274cd3bb.jpg?v=1599944386)
Ashley extends garment manufacturing to Georgetown, Guyana.
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2019
 Apparel Line Launches
![Women’s Satin Robe Red Blue Yellow](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0938/1250/files/2019_Prints_600x485_0bb2e4b4-6749-48a7-a53a-d4907ce0a7dd.jpg?v=1599940712)
Custom print apparel appears on rubysampson.com and select retail stores.
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2020
Custom-Mold Hair Accessories Launch
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Print-inspired artwork becomes available in hair combs and hair pins
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2021
Satin-Lined Waterfall Collar Coat Launches
 Our premium coats are custom printed with 100% wooly satin and designed to protect nape breakage
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2022
Partnership with Carnegie School of Home Economics Announced
Garment Making Program students receive sewing equipment and tuition scholarships