The part time designer grind

 

Model: Trish Knox // Photo: Scott Saad // Robe: Lunar Offerings

As many know, but I am sure plenty don't, I graduated from a fashion design program in 2011, and the same year I created my low key, independent brand, Lunar Offerings.  I say low key and independent because most fashion brands you hear of are well known and have a team of people that make it all happen. I am still just a baby in the fashion world 6 years later, as I am just a team of one. 1 person trouble shooting, 1 person doing the pattern drafting, sewing, branding, every last detail, did I mention trouble shooting? That's a huge part, trial and error, to get everything off the ground the way you want it! Add in a full time job, and down time to spend with my partner and friends, it makes for slow progress.

As a team of one, a person that didn't have ANY sewing machine experience before 8 years ago, its still an on going learning experience, and that makes it seem like so much time is passing in a blink of an eye with what can feel like nothing to show for myself, even though I have done quite a bit when I stop and look back over the past couple years. I have created mini lines of clothing every other year since graduation, just to take advantage of keeping my skills up and utilizing the school runway shows as my exposure.

Everything takes way more time to develop than I ever think it will, though. I create what I can when I can, learning new techniques as I go, and it's nice that I will successfully sell things I make, but every time I do it's pretty much back to the drawing board immediately after. Constantly editing, trying to make things better, brainstorming with myself. Finances and resources come into play as well, being able to only afford to make certain types of things with what I have to work with.

Now that I am 100% self employed and have more free time to dedicate to it, I am getting very serious about my brand for 2018. That means applying myself and working harder at it than ever in the past. It means working harder to get people to take me serious as a designer, and to take me developing a brand seriously. Instead of just making one off pieces for fun and skill development, I am trying to create staple pieces for my brand that I can offer in different colors and sizes.

 The fact that I am even trying to do any of this on top of an already full life seems crazy, but it is my art form, my passion, and hoping some day in the not so distant future, a well oiled, fully functioning independent brand.

Kayleigh