A big part as to why I started Homebird was an attempt to get some creativity out. I remember having a chat with my friend, Guy, about feeling like I had a lot of creativity, but I wasn't sure how to get it out.
My first attempt was to get a sewing machine in the hopes of actually creating full pieces from scratch. As exciting and rewarding as this was, it wasn't the best way for me or the brand to progress. The skill involved to create high quality pieces was way beyond me and something that would've taken me years to become good at, never mind be at a level to be able to sell products that I made. After making the first samples of the Everyday sweatpants it was clear creating the pieces from scratch in house wasn't the best path to take.
The second attempt was to do all of the graphic and artwork myself. From almost the get go it was clear this wasn't going to work. I could do a simple graphic on photoshop but nowhere near the quality needed. I couldn't and still can't figure out how to put what's in my head on to paper. Thankfully I stumbled across @rebelyuth (John) on instagram and was blown away by his illustration. He has done all the graphics currently rotating on different pieces and absolutely smashed them. The illustration above, which has now become our neck label, was done by me which is now a staple on every garment.
The third attempt was hand finishing products. This has been by far the best trial of anything. We're now printing, labeling, distressing and packaging in house. It's been a game changer. We can sample, test, photograph/video a product and have it up on the website within a week. It's the sole reason we're able to have a new style every week or two. It also means we can trial new product styles and techniques to try to push new concepts or ideas out quickly. But most importantly it means I get to be hands on with every product that goes out. Whether it's tees, hats or bags, it's getting done in-house.
Below is a 1 of 1 distressed Winged cap. The truth behind it is it was made due to a cap being delivered to us with some slight marks on it which could probably have been washed off, but it was a great opportunity to trial run a distressed cap to see how it would look and also to see how people would react to it.
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