THE SOLO ARTIST INTRO

Hey there, it's been quite a ride over the past three years since I dove headfirst into working on Smith+Parka full-time. With so many new faces in my circle, I figured it's high time for a little reintroduction - and what better way to do it than with my very first blog post?

Ever since I was a kid, design has been my forte, almost like it chose me. Math and other academics? Not my strong suit. I barely scraped through high school, but when it came to art, I soared. I aced the NYC Art Regents test and snagged a full ride to the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). FIT was where I really honed my craft in pattern-making and sewing, setting the stage for the journey that led me to where I am today.

In my time in the industry, I made a deliberate effort to diversify my skill set, dipping my toes into various design realms like outerwear, sweaters, knits, and bottoms. But I didn't stop there. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone, dabbling in graphic design, photography, and marketing, all in pursuit of what I hoped would become my own business.

Back in 2014, Smith+Parka started as a passion project, a creative outlet to balance out the constraints of my day job designing for big-name brands. I crafted the brand's identity and laid the groundwork for what would come next. But it wasn't until 2021 that inspiration struck. I wanted to design something practical yet stylish, something that could carry all my essentials without weighing me down. Drawing on my expertise in pattern-making, I crafted a crossbody, the Solo Sling. A sleek twist on the classic fanny pack, streamlined and versatile.

Fast forward to 2024, and here we are, with over 2000 Solo Sling Crossbodies sold and gearing up to open our second store in the vibrant Lower East Side of NYC. The journey has been wild, unfolding in ways I never could've predicted but always strived for.

I'll be sharing more about the brand, my triumphs, and my struggles as an entrepreneur. Stick around by subscribing to this blog, and let's see where this journey takes us next.