Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Murray.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Andrew. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I am a visual artist and a yoga practitioner (11 years). For the last few years, I have often thought why the clothing in the yoga studio was so boring, black, and one-dimensional. In the Summer of 2016, I took one of my brighter paintings, “Joshua Tree”, and found a business that could print and sew a pair of leggings from the painting.
Of course, I made them for me thinking it would be fun to wear my art and not yet believing there was a legitimate business opportunity. When the leggings arrived, I was happily surprised how well they turned out. I wore them to a party and they were a hit. Turns out my style of painting translates quite well into clothing.
Since then, it’s been full steam ahead. I know have a Men’s pant and Men’s short launching in a few months. Both will also feature original artwork by me. Also at the moment, along with painting, I operate all facets of the business. It is literally a one-man show.
Has it been a smooth road?
Of course not. Getting people to buy them, for one, is tricky for a new brand. Also figuring out which audience to target is getting harder. There isn’t the trust that traditional brands have built up over the years. These are also bold prints and one must have some confidence in themselves to wear them.
Being that this is my first foray into apparel, I didn’t realize how difficult it was to make a sample and then go to production. Wow, it takes a long time and my learning curve has been steep. Also, I cannot afford any help, so I am doing everything from design to production to selling in showrooms.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the WearAM story. Tell us more about the business.
Our prints set us apart from all others. Yes, graphic design is a big part of any colorful piece of clothing, but having a painter’s eye and touch is something else entirely that I think traditional graphic designers cannot match.
We are known for wild and flattering prints on athleisure wear.
I am most proud of the commitment I’ve had to the business even in the face of a slow launch. I’m proud that I’ve learned a lot as well. I believe we have great engagement, a great story, and supreme customer service.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Hard to say. I think leggings will still be around. I don’t think it’s a trend and if it is, it probably will last a few more years.
I think the big shifts will be toward niche companies like mine that cater to smaller cross-sections of consumers.
Pricing:
- Women’s High Waist Legging $97
- Women’s Normal Waist Legging $89
- Women’s High Waist Capri Legging $89
- Women’s Normal Waist Capri $83
Contact Info:
- Address: 1011 N Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90012
- Website: www.wear-am.com
- Phone: 917-586-8907
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/wear.am
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/wearAMart.com
Image Credit:
David Keuhne, Nida
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