Today we’d like to introduce you to Raechel Stewart.
Hi Raechel, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Thank you for wanting to learn about me. As you said my name is Raechel but a lot of people also know me as Rae. I consider my self as a graphic designer and maker which allows me to be creative in multiple avenues. Tagged District was started as a college project but was also something I aspired to do beyond getting a grade. During that time, I was exposed to different streetwear brands in San Diego and they all had a certain voice to them that followed the same narrative. During that time, the brands seemed to be all about their logo and less about the personality of who wore it and I wanted what I made to mean more than just a shirt with a logo on it. I wanted quirky, inspiring, fun, unique. There were parts of the brand that I wanted to be important, like for things to have a hands on approach to the production, upcycling to show that clothing doesn’t have to end there, and clothing that wasn’t so directly stereotypical like pink jumpsuits for girls. During the time of building Tagged District I went through lots of changes and product test ( I mean I still do that). The logo has already changed once since it’s start, products I used to offer no longer are part of the brand, and with every personal hardship Tagged District manages to come back better than ever. I’ve been in lots of different studio spaces, been in lots of markets, while all still maintaining a day job.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As any road with a small business it is tough. My business has gone through many transformations and many restarts. During these transformations, it was about me trying to find a place to work from, trying to figure out money, developing a voice and getting people on board. The whole time keeping a day job and maintaining other parts of life. The biggest setback was when I broke my ankle, most of my stuff was screen printed and I had to stop completely making products, doing shows, even just getting motivated was difficult because I knew I had to start all over and it’s hard to have a shy personality in this industry when you have to make yourself known. But honestly that really had me change Tagged District for the better. The competition for streetwear is tough, I am competing with established brands all over the world as well as many local San Diego brands. Mostly male-dominated and most have multiple people running it. Yes, I get help from family and friends but it is mostly just me as I am the owner or like I say sometimes on my social media the mayor of tagged district. But without all of that, I wouldn’t be where I am today and I know the future will bring me more.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a Graphic Designer when I am not running my small business. I am known for my design work to be practical and working with different parts of the production process. My experience as a screen printer, sign technician, environmental sign designer, in-house graphic designer, as well as freelance work focused on branding has given me the ability to think of design in a way many people don’t always. Most think in terms of web designs and small areas, not necessarily in a sense of how it all works in the real world in your environment. I have learned to use material, textures, scale, understanding how things are made and what the production artist has to go through. That’s why with Tagged District, I try to be hands on with as much of the process so I know it can be made and how. I love the making part of design, from engineering drawings to creative swatch dream boards, to multi-application. It’s something I try to bring into my brand as much as I can.
How do you define success?
I have had to ask myself this question a lot. I thought it was going to be numbers, (working in retail drives that into you). But realizing how many comebacks I have had to make, and obstacles I have had to overcome,and continuously growing in my own way, I have realized success is in the eye of the beholder and I have to see the change and growth to be successful. I was reflecting at a show remembering my first show and seeing the development from having no idea what I was doing to creating a space that showed what Tagged District is and people feeling drawn to it. It was true growth to remember and see. One day I hope to really grab people and have people feel apart of Tagged District as a community. I want people to get excited when they see someone else wearing a design they recognize from Tagged District, and reach out and say “Oh you are a TD Resident too!” When I know that is happening and people feel connected I know I have reached a new level of success.
Contact Info:
- Email: Tagged.district@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.taggeddistrict.com/
- Instagram: @TaggedDistrict
Image Credits:
Matt Tish Breezy Von Breezy
