Styling success

I recently went to the mall with my mom and tried on a pair of Levi jeans. Some parts were too tight, while others were awkwardly fitting. This was not the first time this had happened. I had always been into fashion, but the process of finding clothes that fit me properly was always frustrating. I wanted things to be the perfect length, without having to get a tailor involved. I also tried to use second hand websites, but quickly noticed a trend of overpricing on garments that the seller had gotten for ten times cheaper. Nothing seemed to be working, and I realized that this problem was not only frustrating for me, but many other people I know as well.

That’s when I decided I wanted to start my own clothing brand. This idea has been in the back of my mind for years now, but I always waited until I felt ready. After the frustrating experiences I endured while searching, I realized that I’ll never feel truly ready unless I start working up to it.

As I began creating it, I first focused on the actual brand name. I decided on the name White Grape pretty quickly. I picked this because I used to work at a bubble tea place that sold a white grape punch. The name stuck with me as I thought it sounded pretty, but when I tried it, it left a sour taste in my mouth. However, my White Grape will leave people with a sweet taste, and a yearning for more.

I then began to work on my designs, which can be a lengthy and difficult process. I sit at an iPad for an hour, sketching designs. I color them, delete them, color them again, and keep working until I’m satisfied. I spend a lot of time looking at Pinterest, cartoons, old runways, and friends for inspiration. Some looks that particularly caught my eye included Vivienne Westwood’s Fall 2011 collection, Anna Sui’s Spring 1994 collection, and the characters drawn by manga artist Ai Yazawa. All these looks possess similar qualities—feminine and clean, yet unique. I decided against manufacturing. I used to know how to sew back in middle school when we were forced to make pants, but now I’ve forgotten everything. I came to terms with the fact that it’s time for a refresher. I established that I’ll hand make every single piece. I’ve also come to hate the look of things that are mass produced. I want to work hard to give my clothing a classy, well-fitted look instead of sending simple designs to a manufacturer with cheesy slogans. I’m also hoping this decision will further my aims of promoting sustainability in clothing.

Furthermore, I’ll sell things on my own website, rather than using apps such as Instagram or Depop. That way I can give it a professional feel. Additionally, I have to create a logo, which I’m having a hard time coming up with. I decided against anything too detailed—maybe a simple grape that reflects like a pearl would do the trick?

Everytime I think about the future of my company, I feel an enormous sense of enthusiasm, even if the finished product is a while away. I hope that people will support me, and when the time comes, please be sure to purchase from White Grape!