Entry no. 2
the past month has been another busy month for the brand. since the past entry, i’ve sent out over 30 lighter cases and 8 keyrings. The number isn’t the focus here, though, i’ve sent some samples out to some of my friends and mutuals who I feel fit the brand identity/demographic. after sharing a sample with a friend of mine in the music industry for promotion, she had gifted it to another artist who just so happens to be one of the artists on my moodboard. joanna kutcha (@joannakutcha on instagram)has recently garnered over 100k across her tiktok and youtube pages for her industrial techno DJ sets. I can recall back to my finals week in fashion school when I would stay up for nights at a time working on my collection, occasionally glancing at my laptop to watch her transition between tracks. theres a few other artists ive been able to send my work to, but it’s such a full circle moment managing to get a picture with my work and one of my favs.
I’ve been keeping the momentum with the brand promotion as well. My analytics are going up, which is great, as my work is being met by its target demographic. I’ve been taking lots of pictures recently, showcasing my work in different environments and styles. i think the fun part about running this brand is all the different ways I can create outfits that center around showcasing my work. experimenting with different kinds of editing, backdrops, and sets, as well as different styles of outfits. i’ve been trying to get more on TikTok, but it’s honestly such a tricky algorithm to work with, its going to take alot of undivided attention and effort to really get it going on there. However, I do believe there would be a direct correlation between gaining a tiktok audience and my sales/analytics going up.
This month i also drafted the first tank samples for the site. There’s an unreleased demo that i only made one of, which features a 100% cotton rib tank in black alongside a 30” metal riri zipper alongside the back with cream tracks. i personally love it, but i didn’t feel confident enough in releasing it just yet, so i kept working on the idea. it was then that i came to the idea for the current october release “second skin” after making a trip to a few fabric stores for swatches. i came across this beautiful cotton knit that has a shine on the outside in a black leopard print. it was too good to pass up. i took a sample and got to work immediately, where i translated some of the construction ideas from the demo into the superior version (this is where the leather tag idea came from.) i felt the design was simple and bold and would make a great first collection piece for the site, as i could potentially make a set for it in early 2026. i made the “glamour” tee shortly after as an alternative for those who would prefer a different kind of fit or layering piece. i knew when i started this brand that i would avoid making tee shirts as much as possible. i went to fashion school for 2 years. i’m capable of so much more than making explore page graphic tees. for this piece i took a different approach by giving it a more alternative and punk look, while still maintaining the overall theme of the collection.
i’m proud of how both looks came out and i’ve been wearing them just about everyday getting all kinds of promotion and photoshoots done for the socials/site. just last week i actually found myself in a music video for a local artist by the name of sour (@sour_meta on instagram.) i was invited on set to a prop house in north miami where i was told to come dressed in a very specific style of alternative fashion that is just niche enough for there to only be 2 other models who could come dressed on theme. however, i took this oppurtunity to style an outfit that brings together my personal style with some of the work i’ve done for the brand. i became a walking backofahearse ad. the style of the tank is perfect to layer with different shapes and textures, alongside an appropriately staged keyring. when the video comes out i’ll update the blog, but i’m really excited to see the how well the top looks on camera in a staged setting.
Entry no. 1
this week was very busy for the brand and site. the launch was successful, and I made my first few orders and even secured some pre-orders. the goal of the site launch wasn’t just to move inventory and generate revenue, but to test my engagement features and the feedback from my followers, supporters, and customers. the site has been moving slowly but steadily as i manage orders and provide updates and communication with my audience via social media. in addition to completing my first drop, i added different checkout options for lighter cases that include custom detail requests, as well as a new type of keyring accessory for those who opt out of purchasing the lighter accessory. this week i intend on securing models and a videographer to film a planned visualizer/promotional for the site featuring the accessories - just to boost engagement.
this week’s site patch (version 1.2) includes:
⚰︎ fixes to site navigation on mobile.
⚰︎ front page temporary visualizer updated.
⚰︎ about section now includes my recent magazine feature by Avessa magazine.
⚰︎ new leather accessory “keyring” now available for purchase.
Entry no. 0
the site goes up in less than an hour and my heart is racing. before all of this i was 16 in a new city, attending community college for a general arts degree, unsure if my future mattered in a meaningful way. i spent my downtime obsessively researching all the different things i loved as if i were paid to. I knew that my appreciation for fashion was passionate, but i never thought i’d be confident enough to pursue it professionally. I hadn’t even worked a retail job yet. with no experience and minimal support, i spent the years during the pandemic researching fashion history and it’s relationship with policital culture. i learned about the punk and anti-fashion movements that allowed the casual to become unique through expression. after buying my first sewing machine (a humble janome 2212, the same machine i used up until my second semester in school), i spent days on weeks tearing apart my closet one article at a time, reconstructing entire outfits to match whatever was trending at the time because i refused to spend money to look like everyone else. lol. i grew into someone else. someone more expressive in composure, more confident in their identity. i joined local communities and found likeminded people and finally pushed myself out of my comfort zone; into the void. moving from vegas to miami was a rough transition for me. i had reached a pretty developmental age in my teens and having to restart my life again was detrimental to my mental health. i lived with my grandparents in fort lauderdale, where i would commute to miami everyday for the first 2 semesters of schooling. day by day i became more local and spent more time in the city, with my city friends, doing city things. while this entry isn’t about the friends i made, it's more so about who my friends have helped me become. since then, i’ve become more accomplished as both a student in fashion and in life than I could have ever imagined. the support system i’ve amassed has been the fuel to my fire for the last 2 years and every night i lay to rest im so thankful for how close I’ve come to my dream.
i’m gonna keep the first entry short but i’m just really excited to put this out. this website serves as more than just a place to shop or spend your money. this website is a digital space. This is a place you can come to read updates about my work, future events, learn more about my history, my passion, my previous works and portfolio, etc. This page is a digital extension of myself.
im not unfamiliar with this feeling i get. i must admit, it’s the same feeling i would get in school the night before a new garment is due. knowing i have to let go of what i’ve created and subject it to the judgement of the world. it’s the ultimate vulnerability. Surrendering your art to interpretation is something i’ve come to find a beauty in. there’s truly nothing like it.