Yasss boo! We’re participating in Black Friday today, and I wanted to take a moment to explain why. I know that some in the sustainability space pass on the holiday, and I understand it. Historically, Black Friday has been categorized by frenzied crowds stampeding to insanely discounted toasters, thoughtlessly over-consuming because “why not at this price?”

However, just because that’s been the norm doesn’t mean we can’t take a different approach…

It's that time of year again! Fashion Week! It’s been 3 years since Declarative’s last runway show, which is crazy because those presentations were a big part of our early years. Fashion Week launched the brand, debuted our first four collections, and although we probably won’t participate again, I couldn't be more grateful that it’s how we started.

Why? Because it's not too hard to work on a project (or business, career shift, etc) in secret. It’s also not too stressful when there's unlimited time to everything is perfect…

You how ducks smoothly sail across the water, but they're fiercely kicking beneath the surface? Well, this is "the kicking." This is hidden effort and process behind the final result.

Yasss boo! We’re participating in Black Friday today, and I wanted to take a moment to explain why. I know that some in the sustainability space pass on the holiday, and I understand it. Historically, Black Friday has been categorized by frenzied crowds stampeding to insanely discounted toasters, thoughtlessly over-consuming because “why not at this price?”

However, just because that’s been the norm doesn’t mean we can’t take a different approach…

“I’m not where I thought I’d be.”

Familiar with this little b? I'm well-acquainted. It first crossed my mind the September after college. Everyone was either at work or back in school, and I was alone in a Starbucks filling out more job applications (this time to retail positions because the design jobs seemed to be DOA). At the time, I could quickly shrug it off. Fresh out of school and only 22, I was just beginning and had plenty of time to get where I want to go.

These days, though, it’s not as easy…

It's 2019 baby, and I can't think of a better way to kick off the new year than by sharing this next chapter of RESPONSIVE TEXTILES with you: “I would stand and look out over the roofs of Paris and think, 'Do not worry. You have always written before and you will write now. All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.'" ~Ernest Hemingway

I came across this quote at 1 AM back in April, and the idea of a “one true sentence” immediately resonated. The whole quote resonated…

Last week, I shared RSPNSV's story and the growth that's happened over our six collections. For one, I'm no longer a graphic designer trying to be a knitter. For another, "responsive textiles" has since become an industry term for smart fabrics. (no jk) Now for my news, which you may want to sit down for. After considering these changes, I've decided it's time for our brand name to evolve too…

Does the end of the year also make you reflective? I was legit wide awake for hours last night thinking about the past 4 years of RESPONSIVE TEXTILES.

Fun fact: I created the name for a class assignment in 2012. At the time, I thought it'd be a surface design studio, something a little closer to the graphic design degree I was finishing up. Its mission? To design fabric that's RESPONSIVE to your individuality, body and lifestyle. (Sound familiar?)

Jump to 2014. I’m in the middle of brunch (where my best ideas happen), and I decide apply to Fashion Week San Diego under the name RESPONSIVE TEXTILES…

What the F is that?!? Well ladies and gents, take a close look and behold. That crazy collection of yarns and drop stitches is the first swatch I ever created on a knitting machine. It is my beginning. An ugly beginning on a path that would quickly become a passion and eventually turn into a career. I found it today while decluttering the studio, and it was wonderful to see this baby again. This swatch was born in the winter of 2012 at my friend Leah's house on her knitting machine. She generously took the afternoon to give me a little introduction to the machine because I had been itching to learn and had yet to get into the class (which I would finally get into that next semester/my final semester of RISD)...

Real talk time: I spent most of today and yesterday sitting in my studio, struggling to be productive. Pushing papers to the left and then to the right. The struggle was real. For the past month really, I've felt stuck. My lack of productivity has only made me feel worse. After hours today of being swallowed by this "bleh" feeling, I finally stepped away from my work and took a look inwards. I decided to embrace the blues...