THE SOLO ARTIST

In the whirlwind of entrepreneurship, sometimes the most unexpected encounters lead to the most remarkable opportunities. When I sold my first Solo Sling Crossbody back in 2021, I never imagined it would ignite a journey that would redefine my career trajectory. Initially, I anticipated selling just a handful, perhaps 10 or 12, before returning to the confines of a desk job. Yet, as fate would have it, my path diverged, and a brand began to take shape.The inaugural year saw me tirelessly building a reputation, navigating pop-ups, and exploring various distribution channels. Amidst the hustle, a vision emerged: a workshop nestled within a storefront, where creativity could flourish openly. My quest for the perfect space led me through the bustling streets of Greenpoint and Williamsburg, only to be met with the harsh reality of New York's exorbitant real estate market. Disheartened but undeterred, I persisted, continuing with pop-ups as a temporary solution.Then, in the winter of '22, fate intervened once more. Amidst the holiday rush, I stumbled upon Essex Market by chance. What began as a pit stop for a restroom break turned into a serendipitous encounter with Ruslan, a fellow artisan crafting backpacks. Impressed by his work and struck by the parallels with my aspirations, we forged a connection that would change the course of my journey.With Ruslan's gracious invitation, I showcased my remaining inventory at his booth, catching the eye of Claire, the general manager of The Market Line. She quickly bought the remaining Solos and extended an offer for a booth adjacent to Ruslan's. In the blink of an eye, my dream of a storefront materialized, and within 24 hours, I was set up and ready to embark on this new chapter.As the days turned into months, The Smith+Parka Atelier turned into a hub of creativity and community within The Market Line. With each stitch, I forged connections with customers old and new, weaving the narrative of the Solo into a new community and marketplace experience.  In February of 2024, the sudden news of The Market Line's closure rumbled through the community like wildfire. Suddenly, the stability of the Atelier and the camaraderie of The Market Line I had come to rely on was coming to an end. I honestly felt like I lost a part of myself.The fact that was losing the store was beyond my control and I would have to bring this operation back to my one-bedroom apartment where I started. Believe me, it was tough for me mentally to adjust back to this reality.I was desperately looking for another storefront, looking on Craigslist and other real estate sites. Again, everything was out of my price range or just terrible. A week before my move-out date I was miraculously offered a space that was clearing out on the first floor of Essex Market. For those that didn't know the downstair (The Market Line) and upstairs (Essex Market) are two completely different entities. The main floor, Essex Market, is operated by the city, whereas the downstair is privately owned. It is a once-in-a-lifetime narrative of the transition of storefronts. The opportunity of a booth opened up just as I was closing. And so, after two months of closure, I am thrilled to unveil the next chapter in this journey: The Smith+Parka Design Lab. Stay tuned for more updates in the next blog post, as we continue to weave dreams into reality, one stitch at a time.

One of the questions I'm frequently asked is how I came up with the Solo—a question that takes me back to 2016. It all started with a simple desire: to find a sleek solution for carrying my essentials without the bulk of a traditional bag. Back then, the trend hadn't caught on for men to carry crossbody bags, and most of us relied on stuffing our pockets with phones, wallets, keys, and whatever else we needed for the day.But I craved something different—something lightweight, understated, and practical. Most bags on the market seemed to scream their lifestyle branding, leaving little room for subtlety. That's when I stumbled upon a stash of sumptuous calfskin leather, so soft to the touch and in a rich black hue. With only enough leather for a simple creation, I embraced the challenge it presented.For the finishing touches, I opted for a copper RiRi zipper and a fidlock magnetic buckle—both meticulously designed, durable, and highly functional. However, the leather lacked the structural integrity I desired, leading me to incorporate a double weave ripstop material from RLX for the lining, sourced from Mood Fabrics in the bustling garment district of NYC. To ensure strength and longevity, I chose a 1.5" high-quality nylon ottoman textured webbing with an impressive 8000lbs break strength.In crafting the design, I aimed to reimagine the classic "fanny" pack silhouette, stripping away any unnecessary frills like front-facing zippers or exterior pockets. Instead, I focused on a clean, minimalist body with the zipper discreetly sewn on top—a design choice that not only appealed aesthetically but also enhanced accessibility while wearing.Wanting ample space to accommodate all my daily essentials, including a water bottle or small notepad, I elongated the body and added subtle darts at the corners for a touch of volume to the otherwise seamless design. After three years of constant wear, this crossbody bag became an indispensable part of my daily routine, garnering compliments from strangers and friends alike. I was also surprisingly impressed myself for its durability and functionality.Little did I know that this simple creation would lay the foundation for Smith+Parka's design ethos—a philosophy centered on simplicity, functionality, and luxury. As I embarked on relaunching Smith+Parka post-2020 (amidst the challenges of COVID), I revisited the Solo design, refining its width and softening its straps for a more universally appealing and less utilitarian aesthetic. And thus, the Solo was reborn—trimmed down by 3.5" and featuring smoother, more refined straps—a testament to the evolution of both the brand and its signature style.

  When I kicked off Smith+Parka, I knew I had to get out there, make some waves, and put both myself and the brand on the map. It was time to shine a spotlight on the Solo Sling and get people talking about it. Given my love for supporting local artisans and small ventures, diving into pop-up markets seemed like the natural choice.   But let me be real with you – stepping into the role of a "salesperson" made me cringe at first. I mean, as a designer, I was used to hiding behind my computer screen, letting my work speak for itself. The idea of pitching my designs face-to-face to strangers? Cue the anxiety.   Yet, I knew that breaking out of my comfort zone was crucial to kickstarting this journey. So, despite the nerves, I dove headfirst into the world of pop-ups. And let me tell you, it wasn't a walk in the park. But it was the right move to forge connections and lay down the groundwork for the start my business.   Now, I won't sugarcoat it – overcoming my fear of being the face of the brand wasn't a cakewalk. I'm actually a bit on the shy side, believe it or not. That's where an unexpected suggestion came in... micro-dosing shrooms. Yeah, I was skeptical at first, but after a few gentle nudges from friends and a timely gift of mushrooms (from another friend), I decided to give it a shot.   And you know what? It helped. Not in some mind-bending, psychedelic way, but in a subtle, mindset-shifting manner. Armed with a newfound sense of ease and confidence, I stepped into my first pop-up like a boss. And guess what? It worked. People connected with me, and before I knew it, they were turning into customers.   From there, it was a whirlwind of pop-up markets across the city, each with its own vibe and energy. I thrived. There was a time I sold over 65 Solos in a single day at the Renegade craft fair – talk about a rush!   But let me tell you, the pop-up hustle isn't for the faint of heart. It's a grind, plain and simple. It takes guts, perseverance, and a whole lot of grit. But it's also incredibly rewarding. I've forged lifelong friendships, built a loyal customer base, and fostered a vibrant community through these events.   Sure, there were basement setups, sweltering summer days, and pandemic-induced challenges along the way. But through it all, I've learned the true meaning of resilience and determination.   So, the next time you stroll past a small business at a pop-up, take a moment to appreciate the hustle. It's not just about selling products – it's about chasing dreams and refusing to back down. And trust me, that's something worth celebrating.

    Have you ever wondered about the story behind the name Smith+Parka? Well, let me share it with you! When I embarked on my journey in the menswear fashion industry, I chose to brand my designs under the name Smith. It was a deliberate choice—a name that was clear, straightforward and carried an American vibe. Back then, inclusivity wasn't as prevalent, especially for an Asian designer like myself. Using a hypothetical moniker made it easier for people to grasp the essence of my designs without preconceptions. For over a decade, the name Smith adorned my portfolio, proving its effectiveness. It resonated with interviewers, swiftly conveying the aesthetic of my brand. The corporate designer opportunities flowed in, fueled by this relatable branding. However, by 2014, I found myself in a creative slump within the confines of my corporate design job. I yearned to reclaim my identity as a designer in my own right. I firmly believed that if I couldn't bring my designs to life, I wasn't truly fulfilling my calling. Despite vowing never to sew again after my graduation, I was eager to express my tailoring and pattern-making skills acquired at F.I.T. Thus, the idea of establishing my own brand took root. Yet, the nondescript nature of "Smith" posed a challenge. It lacked the distinctiveness needed to launch a standout brand, especially amidst countless others bearing the same surname. I needed to add something to make this name more unique. Drawing inspiration from my favorite designer Ralph Lauren, who ingeniously merged "Polo" with his brand, I sought to infuse significance into my own label. I know he is referring to the sport but it also heavily is based on the name of the shirt. "Parka" emerged as the perfect complement—a nod to both my affection for the garment and its symbolic connection to my journey, being the first piece I crafted at F.I.T. Combining the two words (reminiscent of other brand names like Smith & Hawken and Smith & Wesson, etc...) felt harmonious. Phonetically pleasing and evenly balanced, it struck the right chord, hinting at craftsmanship, outdoor allure, and a touch of luxury, adaptable to various aesthetics. As time passed, my fondness for the name deepened. Crafting a brand narrative intertwined with its name's origin became an unexpected yet cherished aspect of my entrepreneurial journey.

Hey there, it's been quite a ride over the past three years since I dove headfirst into working on Smith+Parka full-time. With so many new faces in my circle, I figured it's high time for a little reintroduction - and what better way to do it than with my very first blog post? Ever since I was a kid, design has been my forte, almost like it chose me. Math and other academics? Not my strong suit. I barely scraped through high school, but when it came to art, I soared. I aced the NYC Art Regents test and snagged a full ride to the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). FIT was where I really honed my craft in pattern-making and sewing, setting the stage for the journey that led me to where I am today. In my time in the industry, I made a deliberate effort to diversify my skill set, dipping my toes into various design realms like outerwear, sweaters, knits, and bottoms. But I didn't stop there. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone, dabbling in graphic design, photography, and marketing, all in pursuit of what I hoped would become my own business. Back in 2014, Smith+Parka started as a passion project, a creative outlet to balance out the constraints of my day job designing for big-name brands. I crafted the brand's identity and laid the groundwork for what would come next. But it wasn't until 2021 that inspiration struck. I wanted to design something practical yet stylish, something that could carry all my essentials without weighing me down. Drawing on my expertise in pattern-making, I crafted a crossbody, the Solo Sling. A sleek twist on the classic fanny pack, streamlined and versatile. Fast forward to 2024, and here we are, with over 2000 Solo Sling Crossbodies sold and gearing up to open our second store in the vibrant Lower East Side of NYC. The journey has been wild, unfolding in ways I never could've predicted but always strived for. I'll be sharing more about the brand, my triumphs, and my struggles as an entrepreneur. Stick around by subscribing to this blog, and let's see where this journey takes us next.