Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Life In Clothes

Introducing Ramal Shine, Founder/CEO and Clothing designer for Life In Clothes (LIC)

Ramal Shine is a young and ambitious entrepreneur who has showcased his work at numerous fashion shows, and other related events. I was immediately intrigued by the tenacity and hard work that Ramal exemplifies at such a very young age. It is certain that he is passionate about the work he does, and that he not only wants to make others look good in his clothing designs, but that he also wants to make an impact to those that he attracts to his brand. Please read his interview below.

Tell me a little about yourself.
My name is, Ramal Shine. I am 22 years old, and from Maywood, IL. I am a firm believer in, "Hard work pays off," as well as "Every man was created equal." Therefore, there is nothing one man has achieved that the next man can't!

What is your educational background?
I am a graduate of Proviso East High School. I then went on to study at IADT, Chicago.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Designing, designing, sewing, and more designing!!!

What does fashion mean to you?
Everything! It’s the perfect way to express yourself without verbally saying anything! I believe Fashion is Art; Art is Life, Life In Clothes!

What does style mean to you?
Style means, "Self tidiness yet liked by everyone!" It’s a personal form of doing things in your own type of way, a way that everybody will attract to, and turn your style into their swag!

How would you define the fashion in Chicago?
The fashion in Chicago is as trendy as it gets. Chicago isn’t really known for fashion so whatever the celebrities are wearing or whatever is hot, our city adapts to it. Also, most of the upcoming designers' work in the city look alike to me. There are no designers that really stand out, but mine! I’m not only saying that because it’s my brand, but I always attract a lot of attention to my designs from others where ever I go (i.e., fashion shows).


How would you define your personal style?
Hmmmm…I would say...artistic. I’m into dressing for the occasion, and that is exactly what my clothing line brings to this industry. My clothing line brings three different styles for 3 different occasions: the everyday look, the nightlife look, and a casual/relaxed look. Now you can see why I call it Life In Clothes!

How would you define the style your line exemplifies?
EVERY LOOK SPECIFIED! My line will give off just that...style, and a NEW way of styling apparel for those who ATTRACT trends through their personal style, including INDIVIDUALISM! It’s kind of funny because it’s so hard to explain, but it’s clearly understood once its seen, and sported.

What inspires you as a designer?
The ability to be free with my creation. To be able to think of a design, and create a live sample of it. Its more than I can explain, I guess it’s truly a passion. A passion of creation, individualism and designing into apparel!

When did you realize that you wanted to become a fashion designer? And how did you get into designing?
It was about late 2009 when I realized that I wanted to take it more serious and no longer make it  just a hobby, but rather a career. For my 8th grade graduation field trip to Great America, I made my very first design ever, a pair of stitched Kobe Bryant jean shorts. The very next year, as a freshman in high school, the same design came out in stores worldwide. Then, I knew nothing about trademarks and copyrights, I just thought people really liked my design(s). Throughout high school I kept making clothes, and people really liked what I was making, and that is how I got to where I am now.

What is the meaning behind Life In Clothes?
I feel that in life we display different types of looks that we dress according to like the everyday look, the party type of night life look, and a casual/relaxed look. So for the meaning behind Life In Clothes, I plan to dress these different types of looks into clothing, but with style in every design that I create.

What are some of your accomplishments as a designer?
Well for the past 2 ½ years of working my designer skills, I’ve done numerous fashion shows around the city. I have also had my very own show that I produced with just my clothing designs of 29 pieces. My next show will be in July of this year. To stay up to date with show details follow my blog at http://www.licloth.blogspot.com). I’ve also been a designer at the 2011 Emerge Trade Show in Miami. I have been featured in the True Star Magazine under "Star Moguls," in various newspaper articles and fashion blog interviews. I have done many independent photo shoots of my collection. I've recently received a distribution deal in Europe, which is still under negotiation. I was just invited to the Young Designer Awards in London this October, plus many more accomplishments. I am currently looking to drop my first collection in stores in the 4th quater of this year. I am constantly working on something new for my brand until my official release date…which is coming soon!!!

Who are some of your favorite designers?
I would say FUBU because of how they came and made a massive destruction to the fashion industry at the time they did it, and POLO Ralph Lauren. I think those are really my only 2 (lol). Other than that, I think I look up to more of the business people who branched off into the fashion industry and became successful with it like Dame Dash, Russell Simmons, T.I., and Diddy.

What matters most to you as a fashion designer?
To be able to be free! Free to create my art and put it into clothing designs! Just being me when it comes to designing. Never following the trend, but always being myself. I believe people will respect me and my brand more for that.

What advice do you have for aspiring designers?
Be you and stay true to who you are as a designer. Don’t make designs for others. Make clothes to your design, because the moment you start to make your designs for others, will be the moment you start to follow the trend, and you will fade away as all trends do!

What's next for you and LIC?
As for now, I am looking to put my “Designer Collection”, which is what I hand sew myself, into a boutique. I have my upcoming show in July, which will be a FREE show in downtown Chicago, and I am working on the official release of my brand in stores the 4th quarter of this year. Lastly, I am displaying my collection at the Young Designer Awards in London this October.

Where can readers find out more about you and your work?
I have a blogspot that I frequently update at www.licloth.blogspot.com, my website is www.lifeinclothes.webs.com. You can request me on Facebook under the name, Ramal Shine and follow me on twitter @LIFEINCLOTHES. For personal design orders, you can contact me via email at LICLOTH@GMAIL.COM.


Denim and plaid LIC shirt

LIC checkered button up

LIC plaid vest

LIC Checkered hoodie