Inspiration

I was wandering around the flea market and found some vintage stamp numbers. The original DEPT728 logo was made from a stamp, so this seemed like a logical way to work in a print. I'm going to keep stamping away, and hopefully an interesting textural print will emerge for a new collection.

Joe Zee Is a Genius

I have been watching the current season of "All on the Line" with Joe Zee from Elle magazine. I love his insight into fashion designers' business, and I have been inspired by all the success each designer on the show (except for a few that didn't listen to the valuable feedback) have experienced. Even though I have been laying low for a while I am newly re-committed to developing DEPT728. In an ode to Joe I am going to start making the new women's pieces that I have been sketching, and fleshing out the women's collection. Though the menswear was the original concept we have always sold a lot of the very limited women's pieces, and it's time to take that information, and run with it. By this summer I would like to have more tops, dresses, swimsuits, and even a pant in the collection. Wish me luck!

In Process

Last weekend we went to the Indie Designer Market in Chicago. This second time around we really had a great response from customers coupled with a lot of sales. I am so proud of the fact that anonymous people will own my garments, and love them. Hopefully I will run across someone I don't know wearing my dress (all the pieces we sold were women's clothing). The favorites this weekend were the tie dress, the women's swimsuit, and the criss-cross halter top. Also, I cannot wait until the website launches at the end of August...27 days to go!

Bigger. Better. Brighter.

When we first started the clothing line we were full of hope, and not so full of cash. Sean has an incredible background in business along with his degree in intellectual property law. He is able to be my business partner, as well as our company's lawyer. Because of this we were able to get started with very little money. My background in fashion design, and my strength in the technical areas (pattern drafting and sewing) kept us from having to hire sewers and pattern makers in our start up stages. At this point, almost 2 years since we started, we finally have come to a point that we can start giving other professionals some of the tasks. The first one: Our website. While it is good that I learned some HTML and CSS online, and attempted to put a website together that was functional, it was certainly not a fantastic site. Our clothes are great, and I want the website to showcase them. My good friend (and quite amazing) Nejat is taking over the website, and we are going to be able to launch, along with a full shopping cart, at the end of August. By next week I will have mock ups of the pages, and I can barely wait! If you would like to see what Nejat has done, his portfolio is available at www.cloudovertree.com.
xoxo,
Ruth

Taking it to the Streets

This weekend we will be participating in the Randolph street market in Chicago's west loop area. I am excited to have the ability to sell my clothes directly to the customer. Face to face contact with the people wearing the clothing is a great way to get inspired to make new pieces. It also helps me see the garments on different bodies so I can further refine the fit of each piece. While there is no way to fit every single person in one set of clothing I will try to get the majority. Also, nothing is a warmer, fuzzier feeling that seeing someone so excited to wear something you created yourself. For that alone I am going to have fun this weekend. Come see us by checking out www.indiedesignermarket.com for information.

The Launch

I was so pleased with the way the uniforms came out for the Underground's "Treated Thursdays." Hopefully the Chicago Indie Designer Market next weekend goes just as well.

What to Wear

Next Thursday is the launch party at the Underground. Sean already knows what he wants to wear, but I am still deciding. The criss-cross halter top is really great, but because I am busty I don't know if that would be appropriate for press photos that may be taken at the event. I think I will opt for the morph skirt worn as a tube top (gotta love a skirt that can be a dress or a tube top) over jeans. It will be simple and still very true to the line. What I love about our women's collection is the multi-functional garments. Menswear is something that has to be a bit more concrete in its use, but women's clothing can be multi-purpose. Each line lets me work with different parameters, and appreciate each project for it's own highlights.
xoxo,
Ruth

Bangles

Jewelry is such an overlooked part of a complete wardrobe. Considering that bringing attention to the face is the ultimate aim of any outfit (after highlighting the best parts of the body) jewelry is essential to finishing the look. Necklaces and earrings are now acceptable for both men and women, so I feel we should really take the time to discuss them. Personally, I find that a mix of expensive, heirloom pieces and cheap, very trendy accessories are the best way to keep your wardrobe up to date as well as complete. Spending tons of money on expensive bangles always seemed like a waste to me when the $5 bangles will do just fine for the few seasons they will be in. Beautiful silver necklaces, however, which will be worn for decades (and handed down to children) should definitely be worth the splurge. Interesting jewelry around the neck and ears brings the attention upwards and showcases the face. Also, interesting pieces can tell a story, set a tone, or even start up a conversation. Who knew something so small could be so multi-dimensional?

xoxo,

Ruth

Fittings

I am pleased that the uniforms for the Underground came out well. Seems that without anything but minor alterations on one piece they all fit very well. I am so happy that they will make a statement on Thursday May 15th. This will be the first publicized event for Dept728. I am ecstatic that it will be a positive impression.
xoxo,
Ruth

New Ideas

Every artist experiences a block once in a while. When I find myself thinking in circles I go to other forms of artistic expression. Because fashion is both beautiful and functional I tend to gravitate towards others that have to incorporate purpose into their creations. While painting and sculpture can be great to look at I find that jewelry, food, and furniture are the most engaging objects for me. Great ideas can be extracted from other art forms. The way a chair is designed, or how a cake is seemingly gravity-defying can be so very inspirational to me. Modern architecture will use composition and details in the same manner than I will move seams or incorporate one bold graphic to make visual impact. Since, at the moment, I am working on the uniforms for The Underground Chicago's Treated Thursdays, there are times where I feel that I keep making the same piece over and over (which is true). Taking a break to watch the food network or HGTV gives me some rest from the pieces I am currently working on, and lets me think about what to design next.

xoxo,

Ruth