Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Rials.
Brandon, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I always enjoyed pondering the future and drawing through my thoughts. This led to design school. I attended CCS for industrial design in Detroit, MI for 2 years and then I transferred to Columbia College Chicago and finished with a BFA in Graphic Design. In all I have 6 years of art & design schooling, 10 years of personal and commercial digital/film photography, and 8 years of self-taught fashion design.
Shortly after graduating from Columbia I started a design business called BLRdesign or BLRdsgn, llc. Its sole purpose is to produce work that inspires others to create work that inspires others. For about 6 years the business operated online offering custom small batch original jeans, graphic t-shirts, Hats, and bags.
I eventually opened a gallery/retail/studio space at 1745 S Halsted Street. The business currently offers consulting for graphic design, product design, fashion design, and photography. BLRdesign also acts as a retail space for in-house conceptual products and collaborations. This includes a work studio in which clothing and art can be brought to life within the space live.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has been pretty smooth as up until late. Keeping up with the rent has been a task but we shall overcome. It all comes down to marketing. I’ve been focusing on the work to a point where I’m pretty much unseen. Most of my sales are word of mouth long time costumers. This has worked towards my mystic but not to my sales. So overall I’m looking for more opportunities to promote who I am and what my business entails.
Please tell us about BLRdesign.
I’m mostly known for my denim jeans. In 2010 I decided I wanted to teach myself how to sew with the help of my Mother. My Mother taught me how to use a sewing machine and how to construct garments. I used my drafting skills as a graphic designer to teach myself how to draft patterns for fashion. My pursuit in denim has been simple. I sketch up a silhouette, make sense of the functionality of the jean through pattern work and samples, then construct a final prototype in which I wear for a year to test. After the test I make corrections and then grade the pattern for small batch runs released online and now in my store.
I currently have 3 styles in the space on display and for sale. These 3 styles have been revised in detail for 5 years to suite my customers’ needs in regards to cut as well as overall functionality of each details. The great thing about what I do is that each jean is uniquely executed because each jean is entirely done by one person. That person being me I take my time and produce a very nice product for my customers. I also offer repairs for all of my jeans.
Outside of denim I have designed logos and graphic illustrations as well as offered look book and product photography for businesses in need. I also shoot exotic car photography as a hobby and professionally for Willow Automotive in Chicago. Car design is my first love and I am often influenced aesthetically through car culture.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
More PR, marketing, and product placement. I have the talent but the world doesn’t know who I am.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1745 S Halsted Street
Chicago IL 60608 - Website: www.BLRdesign.us
- Phone: 773.980.6367
- Email: info@blrdesign.us
- Instagram: BLRdesign
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/blrdsgn
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
