Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Christopher Robles. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Christopher , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I honestly found my purpose by some how always going back to things that made me more at peace and control, I slowly worked my way up in retail as stock boy, associate, to manager. Slowly that taught me the business side of my creativity with merchandise display how to tell a story and slowly but surely i knew i wanted to try my hands on doing my own thing with (Qualia) upcycling and making clothes listening to my consumers and teaching others how to repurpose in their own way!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am an upcycle artist coming out of Chicago, my main focuses is repurposing clothes and materials from passed used item and adding them onto new silhouettes that I’m making as a one off collection.
A lot of my pieces are one off so it gives the consumer a special feeling that its solely for them and its not mass made. It’s unique and it attracts the right person to the piece. I’ll say that it takes alot of confidence to wear my pieces.
Right now im currently curating an art show with bold alumni Camilla at the Chicago hairpin art center ! afterwords Im going to showcase my new collection for my fall collection
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back being persistent and being proactive than reactive help me get over mental bumps. Also realizing that you’re going to start small but it’s okay to think BIG !
My mentor once told me “…work that 9-5 to support your 5-9…” that gave me a sense that all artist have a side job until they make it big.
Keep applying and work towards the goal, all the little things add up to the big picture.
An example of all of this is that I use to be a fashion merchandiser at banana republic and I’d dress the mannequins to a Tee with layering and putting items that they were trying to push…
Years later im styling and doing my own photo shoot on a time limit with renting and such but i knew every little thing i wanted to do from that practice, layering my items correctly what accessories look good and its because the experience I had working as a fashion merchandiser.
The things in life will be there for you, its up to you to learn from it and move on from it.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
The hardest part is working with the right people. It’s easy to grab a photographer or model and say hey can you shoot this ?!?
When it comes to collaborating efforts should come from both sides. Mood boarding together Making sure you the parties share the same vision for the project in hand. I’ll say really be detailed with who you work with or else you’re not going to like it and it will bother you. You want to stand by who you work with and your work behind it.
Contact Info:
- Website: Qualiaclothing.com
- Instagram: Qualia_arté
