MODA Designer Profile: David Chen

David Chen is making his designer debut in this year’s MODA fashion show. To learn more about David himself and his fashionable expression, we grabbed coffee. David is a second-year student in the College and is pursuing degrees in Economics and Creative Writing. Here’s how our conversation went:

One of David’s pieces

Where do you get your inspiration?

I would have to say I get most of my inspiration from the world around me, besides Pinterest and what Google recommends for me, ‘ha ha.’ But in all seriousness, I’m essentially putting guys in androgynous for my collection. I wanted to use my collection as a discussion of masculinity and femininity, and the cross fertilization between the two. I feel like within the society and the time period in which we’re living, it’s an important question to talk about, because the lines are blurred. We like to think whether or not those lines should have ever been drawn, and I’m using my collection as a way to express my thoughts on it. So, it’s a my response to the world.

“Women can go thrifting and buy men’s jeans, but men can’t really do that.”

What’s your design background?

I have always been drawing fashion pieces. MODA just happed to present me with the opportunity to turn those drawings into real life, which is super cool. I find that I enjoy drawing clothes the most. When I was tasked with MODA’s prompt, I just thought it would have been really cool to present things I had been working on for many years of my life. It was actually last year’s show that reignited my passion for drawing, actually. 

You can catch this piece in the show too.

What are the most challenging aspects of the process? The most rewarding?

I really like “being in my head,” and I find it difficult to find the perfect material or color that I want. I suppose it comes from trying to be a perfectionist. I guess it’s the little details that I sweat the most. Surprisingly, learning how to construct the garments, like learning how to use the machines, has not been hard at all. But definitely the most challenging part is finding the right medium to translate the ideas from my mind to real life.

The most rewarding? Definitely just being able to make my drawings come to life. Since I was a kid, I have had these drawings in my head, and it’s surreal that they’re taking living and breathing now. I also get a sense of personal gratification, too. As a kid my relatives would always ask me why I drew dresses, because dresses are for girls. So it was also very cool for me to battle that.

What are you looking forward to most about the show?

I actually didn’t make it to the show last year, so I am looking forward to my first MODA show. I also really enjoy the collective stress. While it might sound crazy I really like when everyone’s yelling and stressing out together. I don’t know why, but I very much so enjoy that vibe. But of course, just seeing my pieces walk down the runway will be unreal.

David’s mood board

What do you think about when you’re designing?

I like to spend a lot of time online looking for inspiration, but I also greatly value not looking for something when I am actually looking for something. So when I am in a creative mindset I will go for a walk, relax, and meditate on the idea(s) for days, or even weeks before I start physically working on anything. I don’t really have a specific goal; I just let it come to life on its own. I am also always jotting down ideas in my notes app on my phone. On the other hand, when I am physically working with the pieces, I’m not thinking as eloquently—I am more so just hoping I don’t stick my finger with the sewing machine!

“I don’t have a specific goal; I just let it come to life on its own.”

Is this whole experience a source of stress or a stress relief?

The deadline itself has been stressful, but everything else has undoubtedly enjoyable. I find the white noise of the needle to be very relaxing. I can just sit back and focus on something that actually makes me happy.

If you could give any advice about the design process, what would you say to your less-experienced self?

It’s really not as complex as you make it out to be. I thought my drawings were really intricate and super “out there,” but it’s literally just altering a pattern. The pattern for everything is the same, just with different materials. A shirt is a shirt whether it’s made from cotton or lace—which lace is one I am doing! Nothing is ever that complex.

“String elastic thru the bottom w/ attaching safety pin at the end and go!”

What has been your favorite part of the design part so far?

I guess my favorite thing has been being able to participate in something I love without it feeling like it’s a waste of time. When I am browsing the internet for inspiration, it’s not procrastination or not paying attention—it’s something I have to do. Also, the DBC—MODA’s Designer Bootcamp—has been super fun. I have made so many friends, and we’re constantly bouncing ideas of each other and learning from one another. 

Our conversation ended there, but you can keep the fun going by attending the 2020 MODA Fashion Show on February 28.

Encore: A Hyde Park Resale Store with a Mission

Shaney Swift is the current director of Encore Resale Store, a not-for-profit on Hyde Park Boulevard that sells unique men and women’s clothing and accessories at affordable prices. With a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Baylor University, Swift happily took over the store in 2017, working to both rebrand the shop as well as to increase its various philanthropic efforts in order to benefit the Hyde Park community! We talked to Swift to shed more light on the store’s history, mission, and future.

What initially sparked your interest in fashion?

I actually wasn't super interested in fashion before working at Encore, believe it or not! I did enjoy putting outfits together and shopping as much as any other woman, and I read fashion magazines and watched a ton of What Not to Wear growing up, but I didn't really start learning about designer brands and keeping up with trends prior to working at Encore. I got involved because I was passionate about the idea of business as a social enterprise. Of course businesses need to make money to pay the bills, but I think businesses can also be forces for positive change in their communities, which is what Encore is focused on. Getting to play with fashion is a huge bonus! 

When we entered the store, Mary greeted us warmly and offered her advice about the pieces we tried on.

How would you describe your personal style?
I would describe my own personal style as very classic and feminine, but also sporty--think Ralph Lauren or Tommy Hilfiger. I don't change up a lot with fashion trends, and I consider Kate Middleton to be the epitome of how I wish I could dress. In the winter I wear a lot of plaid skirts with boots and black sweaters, and in the summer I tend to wear a lot of single-step outfits and just put on a dress! 

Do you remember a specific, favorite piece of clothing that you sold at the store?

I do! There was a dark pink plaid shift dress. I think it was by Trina Turk, but I'm not 100% positive. It looked really similar to this dress right here. I remember it not because of the dress itself, but because the girl who bought it told me she was going to court in a few days to get a restraining order against her abusive ex-boyfriend and was going to wear the dress to court. She looked simultaneously professional and strong in the dress, but it was also super flattering on her and made her look good. I love how clothing does that for us, especially women--when we need to feel a certain way about ourselves, the right piece of clothing can give us that feeling. I've had women come in when trying to get jobs, fresh from divorces, or going to celebrations, and I love the look on their face when they find exactly the right piece of clothing to wear.

What role does Encore play in the surrounding community? It says on your website that you invest your profits in local small businesses, schools, and community programs. Can you talk more about this? 

This is my favorite part of Encore! Our most recent donations were to the Kenwood Academy football team and to Sunshine Enterprises in Woodlawn, an organization that provides Woodlawn entrepreneurs with education and support. We also always give a small donation to anybody who comes by and asks (for example, Bret Harte students came by once to ask for donations for their field trip to Washington, DC.) I strongly believe that businesses are just as much a part of a community as any other organization, and have a responsibility to give back to the community whenever possible. 

We partner with other organizations such as Heartland Alliance to provide clothes for people in hard situations--they e-mail us as they have needs and we donate clothing to them if it fits their needs. We also help any homeless people that come into our shop--whether that's giving them a pair of jeans and a T-shirt for free, or letting them have a pair of shoes or coat at a greatly reduced price. All of the merchandise at Encore is donated to us at no cost, which allows us to be generous with those who need help, and we're very thankful for that.

What does the future look like for Encore?

I'm excited about Encore's future! We just did a big redecorating and re-branding, so now it's less like your grandmother's closet (how Encore has been described before) and more like a resale boutique that's easy to navigate. We're looking to expand into selling more items online and via social media (our instagram is @encore_resale_store), especially our vintage and high-end designer items. More and more people have been shopping online, which brings both good and bad for a small store like us (bad: fewer people walk into our store on a daily basis. Good: We can reach more people who don't live nearby.) We've been getting more donations of designer items too, which is great! Encore's reputation so far has been a place to get stuff for really low prices, but I hope to build up Encore's reputation as a place to get really good deals on vintage and designer items too. Those sales really help make money for the store, which in turn enable us to make more donations into the community. 

Be sure to check out Encore in-store and online, and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

All photographs courtesy of Maddie Parrish.

Interview Series: Shubha Vedula

Welcome to MODA Interview Series, where we feature influencers and leaders in the creative industry in the Chicago area and beyond to discuss their inspirations, their artistic backgrounds and what it means to be a self-starter.

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Meet Shubha Vedula, a fourth year Sociology major who is getting ready to graduate this weekend! She hails from Mount Pleasant, Michigan.

First off, tell me a little bit about yourself, both as a musician and a student.

Well, my name is Shubha.

I'm an R.A. on campus for Delgiorno House, and my residents are some of my biggest fans and that's super fun. I also do Dirt Red Brass Band and I did Voices in Your Head, which is this crazy, award-winning a cappella group on campus that every knows. I’ve just been trying to find different musical outlets that also cater to the idea that I really love learning stuff and being part of this community.

Singing has always been my passion. I think the first time I started singing was when I was three years old–my family has a recording of me singing from some children’s storybook. I started doing talent shows when I was ten, performing live. That’s when I started to get really serious. When I was seventeen, I was on American Idol, and that was the stamp of approval, it’s like “Ok, you can actually sing well.” It’s one thing to sing songs and another thing to be an artist, so then I started writing songs and here I am.

I’ve had the pleasure of listening to a lot of your work, both with Voices in Your Head on Spotify and live with Dirt Red Brass Band. How would you say your participation in these two groups has impacted you as an individual musician?

So there’s a bunch of parts about being a singer. You sing, you write songs, you perform. So one thing that I had down was like “Ok I can sing, right?” Another thing was writing songs, that’s just a constant thing, you write a ton of songs, pour your heart out. But performance–I think that if I wasn’t in Dirt Red Brass Band or Voices in Your Head, I wouldn’t have known a lot of things you can do as a performer. Before, I wouldn't really move whenever I performed on stage. In Voices, I would be the soloist for some songs, and I would move around a little, but after watching other a cappella groups perform, I was like “oh, I can actually move around.” I can run around the stage and be crazy, and be in people’s faces. For me, it’s the best version of myself, when I’m on stage performing for an audience like that.

“For me, it’s the best version of myself, when I’m on stage performing for an audience...”

Tell me a little bit about Shuba, the brand–the one without the “h,” and why you decided to leave it out.

It’s a question that comes up a lot. Shubha comes from a Sanskrit word meaning auspicious and one who brings good fortune to other people, so I wanted to keep that meaning. But it was kind of a group effort between me and people I perform with and random fans, because when I would perform at things and people wanted to follow me it was a lot easier for the to just say S-h-u-b-a, versus S-h-u-b-h-a, V-e-d- you know, that’s a lot to remember.

I know that you’ll be graduating soon. What’s going through your head? What are your plans for after college?

It’s really bittersweet and it hasn’t really set in. I have a week left of school. I’m very excited because I’m the kind of person who likes to be all or nothing. I haven’t at any point in my life been able to fully give myself to my music–there’s always been something mental or emotional or academic holding me back, and I feel like after that day where I accept my diploma, I can give myself and everything I have to pursuing my passion.

Around Me, an album by Shuba on Spotify

I was also worried about where I should end up. I’ll definitely be in Chicago for the summer because Chicago’s a great scene–it’s where I got my start as an artist. And then I think I want to move out to L.A. I know it’s inevitable that I’m going to end up there, whether it’s September or sometime after that.

“I haven’t at any point in my life been able to fully give myself to my music–there’s always been something mental or emotional or academic holding me back, and I feel like after that day where I accept my diploma, I can give myself and everything I have to pursuing my passion.”

What are some of your biggest inspirations in the music industry?

I think Rihanna is just an all around amazing artist because her sound has evolved as her career has evolved. And she’s universal–your mom would listen to it, your dad would listen to it, she has stuff you could jam out to at a party with or chill songs that you can just listen to when you’re in your room by yourself. I love that versatility. I love Ariana Grande, just for being an amazing vocalist, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Etta James, and surprisingly, Eminem. At some period in my life I learned a lot of rhythmic things from him. He’s huge in just the way he’s able to tell stories with his music.

As an Indian-American woman, do you feel that there are any noticeable barriers in the music industry, and how are you trying to break any stereotypes that are potential obstacles in your career?

That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? The way I view my identity is very interesting because I understand that there’s a huge gap in the market for an Indian American artist, especially female artists. My primary goal is not to have a gimmick. I don’t want to become anything or become successful because of the color of my skin or lack of color–it should be down to the music. I’m a singer and I sing and I happen to be Indian. But at the same time, it’s also really important for me to be a face for Indian-Americans who have these weird pressures to become a doctor or lawyer or engineer, and this is exciting for me because I can help represent all these Indian-American women who just want to be creative.

What would you say to aspiring musicians who are hesitant to fully pursue their passions out of fear for practicality or stability that comes with going to college, getting a degree, just following a path of “normalcy “in life? How do you convince yourself to deviate off that path and really pursue what you love?

This is something I dealt with for four years. I mean, if I knew that I wanted to do music four years ago, why would I come to college. And the reality is that I was scared. But in light of all the events happening in the world, you realize how temporary life can be. Wouldn’t you rather spend it doing something you love rather just something you’re doing to just get by? People have these preconceived notions that life has to be so ABCD but if you’re good at something, you should really just do it. 

“People have these preconceived notions that life has to be so ABCD but if you’re good at something, you should really just do it.”

You just released a new EP, Around Me, a couple weeks ago on Spotify. Are there any projects that you’re currently working on that we can look forward to?

I have a music video coming for one of the songs on my EP and acoustic videos for two of them. Outside of that, I think I’m changing my sound a little on my next project. Around Me is very sentimental and very sweet and I think I want to be sassier in the next one and write a bunch of upbeat pieces and ones where I get to show off the fun riffy things I love doing and chromatic scales and experimenting with different rhythmic patterns. I think my next project is definitely going to be bolder.

Check out Shuba on Instagram, Spotify, and Facebook for more of her music! 

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Feature image courtesy of Shubha Vedula.

Interview Series: Andie Popova, Founder and CEO of Body Arrest

Welcome to MODA Interview Series, where we feature influencers and leaders in the fashion industry in the Chicago area and beyond to discuss their design inspirations, their creative backgrounds and what it means to be a self-starter in the fashion world today. 

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Meet Andie Popova, a recent UChicago grad originally from Houston, Texas. Last year, Andie launched her own startup, an underwear company called Body Arrest, with the hopes of redefining the industry and empowering women with her comfort-driven, health conscious products. In other words, she's making "underwear... for badass women!"

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First things first, tell us a little about yourself! What are some of the things you love and how did these passions inform your decision to start Body Arrest?

I really thought I'd be an actress until I was eighteen, which was when I decided to go to UChicago and quit my acting days forever! But... then I auditioned for Off-Off Campus, the oldest collegiate improv and sketch group in the country, and that's where I spent most of my time at UChicago... In addition to Off-Off, I also joined the Major Activities Board (MAB), which organizes the biggest entertainment events on campus including the annual music festival Summer Breeze. I've just always loved creating things and coming up with new ways to sell products, and I got the chance to use those skills on MAB as we came up with release tactics for all our events. As far as hobbies go, I write songs on the ukulele and make music videos to accompany those songs. I also consider myself an excellent beginner at salsa dancing, boxing, and hip hop! Emphasis on beginner!

“People want underwear that speaks with them, not for them–and that’s where Body Arrest comes in. ”

When and why did you decide to start Body Arrest?

So the very honest (and maybe slightly risqué, but hey, that would be very on brand) response to why I started Body Arrest begins with the fact that one day last spring I was coming out of the shower and choosing which underwear to put on. I was excited to see that my favorite pair–a purple cotton pair with two giant sea shells on the back–was ready to be worn! Then I reminded myself that a guy I was seeing was coming over, and so I immediately reached for a black, lacy thong instead. I literally stopped in my tracks and thought "wait a minute..."

What made the black lacy thong "sexier" to me–to anyone? Who made that a thing? And I realized that these huge, male-run women's underwear companies are spending millions of dollars a year on ads, products, and models that are meant to tell us what's supposed to be sexy. This seemed crazy to me in that moment, because I personally feel sexiest when I make a room full of people laugh. I feel sexiest when I get an awesome job offer or when I'm at the end of a good workout. I feel sexy in purple sea shell underwear because that's who I am: goofy, vibrant, and bold. I realized that the underwear industry as it stands today wasn't making me feel sexy for who I am. In fact, it was often telling me to be something or someone I'm just not. 

“... male-run women’s underwear companies are spending millions of dollars a year on ads, products, and models that are meant to tell us what’s supposed to be sexy.”

That's the moment I decided I wanted to make underwear that was just as vibrant, smart, and fun as the women around me. Sexiness shouldn't be about what you're wearing–it's about who you are. And your underwear should reflect who you are! I ran the idea by a couple friends, and it turned out other women felt the exact same way as I did. Athletes in particular complained of thongs being uncomfortable, and of the fabric not being breathable. It was settled: I would make underwear that was comfortable, colorful, and empowering. Underwear... for badass women. 

All Body Arrest underwear comes with one of a handful of cheeky slogans printed across the back meant to empower (and humor!) its wearer.

What gaps in the market does Body Arrest aim to solve?

People often ask me "so what makes Body Arrest underwear different?" In terms of the product itself, Body Arrest is extremely comfortable. The fabric is super-soft Bamboo Cotton, and there's no visible elastic to cause constrictions or anything like that. It's also the perfect medium between a bikini style underwear and cheeky style underwear, so you get good coverage with a flattering curve. But what sets Body Arrest apart are its designs on the back. These designs are made with soft heat transfer flocking and spell out phrases like "I'll laugh if it's funny" or "As shaven as I'd like" (the most outrageous one is "Smart girls fuck good"). I wanted to do away with the subordinate phrases like "Pick me" or "I'll be your number one varsity player" and bring phrases that could empower women, especially young women just starting their careers. 

“Sexiness shouldn’t be about what you’re wearing–it’s about who you are.”

More and more people are growing tired of big, name-brand underwear that caters to old ideals of feminism and sexiness. That's why you see so many indie labels launching their own underwear lines. I saw this moment in the industry, coinciding with the rise in women's rights awareness and "woke feminism," as the perfect opportunity to give the people what they want. People want underwear that speaks with them, not for them–and that's where Body Arrest comes in. 

Who or what have been some of the most helpful resources for you as an entrepreneur trying to grow her business? 

I've been interning at the Polsky Exchange for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, which has been a total game changer for me. Through Polsky, I've been able to meet dozens of other entrepreneurs from all kinds of industries who have talked me through their own mistakes and successes and taught me invaluable lessons. Because of Polsky, I was able to attend a Booth Startup Networking Night, where I met dozens of interested Booth students and other startup owners. It was honestly a magical night because it was the first time I felt like "okay, yes, I'm a founder of this company." I had been working on Body Arrest for almost a year, but answering these big questions about the company and pitching my concept over and over again really finalized the process for me.

What are some of the challenges you deal with as an entrepreneur? What are the most difficult aspects of running a start up? 

Okay, I have so much added respect for people starting apparel companies now because this shit is hard. I originally planned to launch by October 2017. It's currently May 2018, and we still haven't launched. They all told me it would take longer than expected, but I thought I could be smart and game the system to work quickly. What I learned is, I'm not smart enough to game any system–especially a system I knew nothing about.

“... after making mistakes and learning to be more discerning with who I trust, I’ve gained invaluable experiences that I’ll probably use for the rest of my life.”

I came into the apparel industry without knowing the difference between a plot and a marker, without knowing how to make a pattern, and without knowing the difference between a success and a scam. I wasted so much of my own money on products that weren't right because I wanted to rush things. I wanted to give up more times than I can count. I've literally sat and cried over underwear samples more times than would be okay to admit. But after making those mistakes and learning to be more discerning with who I trust, I've gained invaluable experiences that I'll probably use for the rest of my life. 

What are some of the most rewarding aspects of this journey? 

Like I said, there have been countless times I've wanted to give up. But every time someone messages me and says they've been waiting for a brand like this, or every time I hear of women getting screwed over (i.e. #MeToo, the wage gap, the list goes on) I pick myself up and keep creating. Some of the most rewarding moments for me have been when I see Body Arrest laptop stickers around campus on laptops of people I've never even met! I've had people message me from schools all over the country offering their support and help. It's extremely helpful to feel that support from other people, because entrepreneurship forces you to constantly question your own ideas.

How do you see Body Arrest evolving long-term as a brand? What are your hopes for the company’s future?

Not only do I want to see Body Arrest expand into other product lines like bralettes, pajamas, and condoms (Yeah, condoms! You heard that right!), but I also want Body Arrest to transform the way we see underwear. Sexiness and femininity should be based on what we think and what we do. And expanding on that, I want women to feel comfortable voicing what they want out of sex and shaping their own sex lives. Sex has for many centuries been all about men, but if the future is female, the future of sex can be female, too. 

“Sexiness and femininity should be based on what we think and what we do. And expanding on that, I want women to feel comfortable voicing what they want out of sex and shaping their own sex lives.”

Do you have plans to quit your day job one day and transition to Body Arrest full time?

I think I have a lot to learn about how a company is run, so this summer I'll be starting full time at a market research firm in New York City. I'm excited to use my experiences in market research to develop my personal business. I don't plan on transitioning to Body Arrest full time in the near future, since businesses like these usually take many years to become profitable. I'm just excited to keep learning and building my network as I move to a new city! 

Did UChicago’s competitive environment in any way inform your decision to start your own company or is this something you’ve always really wanted to do? 

I've always wanted to start my own company. Always always. When I was in 7th grade I started making duct-tape wallets, and my friends asked to buy them off me, so I started a small business. I'd make wallets, change up the designs, and sell them to students around school for a couple bucks each. It actually became very profitable! In high school, I was always starting clubs or organizing new events. I wrote a book about my experiences at an Alzheimer's facility and have organized artistic charity events for the Alzheimer's Association almost every year since publishing. That's basically just to emphasize the fact that any time someone tells me "you can't do that," I fight twice as hard to make it happen. Something in me gets excited by the challenge, and I think that's why entrepreneurship is so appealing to me. 

Do you have an tips for aspiring business owners and entrepreneurs on how to translate their ideas into reality? 

My biggest piece of advice is be patient. Don't rush into things and spend a lot of money upfront. Learn from the masters. Talk to everyone you know who is related to the field. Read Lean Startup–it's like the Bible of entrepreneurship. Take every networking opportunity and fake it until you make it!

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For more information about Body Arrest, check out the brand's official website, Instagram, Facebook and Kickstarter pages. 

To submit your own design and slogan ideas to Body Arrest, click here. For questions or contact information, click here.

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