Insights into a Fashion Start-up

Hello! This is Deanna, your instructor for the beginners in the studio. Some of you might know this, but I am also a co-founder of the newly launched fashion brand, Moonstruck! It’s a local business run by two passionate designers and we manage everything ourselves - from drawings, patterns, and even our social media. There is a lot to tackle, but the control you have over your product is so rewarding. When I was asked to write a guest blog post for the studio, at first I couldn't decide on a garment to talk about. But I've decided to give you all an insider peek into my favorite piece from our most recent collection, the Eventide Long-sleeve Tee!

Design Elements

•  Mock neckline
• Cropped hem (not to short, not to long; just right)

• Fitted sleeve and armhole (perfect for layering)
• Comfy bamboo/cotton blend knit (to keep you warm).​

The classes I teach at the studio are usually with woven fabrics, but knits are a whole different weight class with its own set of challenges, and I definitely was put through the ringer when fitting the shoulder area of this top. Before this, I didn't have a ton of experience with knit fabric so I relied heavily on my notes from fashion school, as well as doing research in clothing stores to figure out all their secret tips and tricks! Through trial and error (and three samples later) I arrived at our final product.

If there is one thing I have taken away from instructing at the studio this past year, is that you are never out of options when you are designing. Whether it is with a project or with a lesson plan, being backed into a corner is not your endgame. If you think about your problem from a new perspective you are bound to find an answer you can work with. For example: when I couldn't find an appropriate weight rib fabric for the hem and cuffs, we decided to use our self fabric (our main fabric we already had) rather than going on a wild goose chase to find something new. Design and sewing give you freedom to explore new techniques and to think outside the box!

Through frustration and desperation, I persevered. It is a piece I am proud of, and will happily put into the record books as a garment I will not soon forget. Less than a year ago we released our products to the public, so Moonstruck is still a baby of a business. Despite the short time, I felt like the entirety of my learning has all been put to the test, and I cannot tell you how many times I've gone to bed still mulling over the day's obstacles. There will always be rough patches on one’s journey and I am no exception. I’ll be sure to learn more and pass on the knowledge from my brain to yours. If you would like to stay in the know on any new Moonstruck news, follow our Instagram or Facebook! Can’t wait to show you what I get up to next!

Written and designed by Deanna Kadota
Photos of Deanna by Desmond Cheng
Photos of Moonstruck designs by Sheldon Leung
​Edited by Sheila Wong Studios