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!

Midwest to West Coast

For a long time I really thought that I would spend my whole life in Chicago. I love the city, and I feel a deep connection to the area. Recently, though, I took it upon myself to go somewhere new. I am now a resident of Los Angeles, and I am excited to get to know the new city. Things are definitely different here. I find that more of the people I interact with are creative, and a lot more of the men in the area are the athletic build that DEPT728's athletic fit t-shirts are made for! I may not be at home yet, but I think LA will grow on me.

Hiatus

There are always moments that seem to last forever. In the specific case of our new web concept, the process has been slow but steady. I am hopeful that 2009 will bring many new opportunities to us as a line, and to the US economy as a whole. While waiting for the web redesign to be finished I am taking on the task of talking to the boutiques in the Chicago land area. I would love for DEPT728 to be in a few hand-picked places so that shoppers can "happen" upon us, and discover what we have to offer. It's a necessary part of the process, and even though I feel like this line of clothing is "my baby" in some ways, I feel like it's about time to let my child go and play with the other kids.