Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachael Duran.
Hi Rachael, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in a very crafty family, my grandmother was especially talented. She excelled at macrame, sewing, quilting, crocheting, and seemingly everything. When I moved to NYC and worked as a bartender, I’d always spend my days off immersed in some crafting project trying to emulate her. I discovered a passion for dyeing fabric, particularly designing clothes for myself to wear. Those early garments I made received so many compliments and offers to buy duplicates that it led me to the formation of thunder textile.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I was lucky. I started my business just as tie-dye had come back into fashion and ice-dye gained traction. I lived near The Hamptons in New York and vended at local summer art and craft shows where my work was noticed by a few retail store owners, who requested to carry my brand. During the pandemic, I pressed on, vending at farmers’ markets or wherever I could given the frequent event cancellations. New York summers being so short, my chief struggle early on was a lack of market activity for three-fourths of each year. My family and I decided to relocate to Southern California so that I could work to grow this business year-round.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I dye everything in my home studio using only natural fibers and a mix of techniques, creating modern, one-of-a-kind goods. Right now, I’m focusing on ice dyeing, but I also like to incorporate shibori into my work. My neutral and muted colorways set me apart from other dyers and I always strive to be eco-friendly and sustainable, with slow-fashion values.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
San Diego is such a beautiful city with a rich history, I think the best part of that is its diverse art scene. As with most cities, my least favorite thing is the traffic.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thundertextile.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thundertextile
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/thundertextile
