Interview with Julia Gremp
Founder of Blue Hart clothing – a female-founded, custom-apparel business based in San Francisco.
So how did Blue Hart Clothing start?
Growing up, I was always creative. I loved creating modge-podge collages, sewing, drawing. I was actually really good at drawing, like I had serious skills up until my mid-20’s.
I started making clothing more seven years ago when I was pregnant with my son. After being 6 months pregnant, I had to stop working – since I could barely walk – and wanted to sew. My son’s father, as an independent artist, really encouraged me to pursue sewing as a business.
I also never went to school for art so I was able to “freestyle create” and not be pigeonholed in a particular career. So I freestyle sew, freestyle sell. My life is freestyle.
What do you mean by freestyle?
I always liked three-dimensional work, which is how I view my pieces. I take measurements and make it generally fit. I use stretch material mostly which helps create what I call perfect-imperfections. Because of this, I like to think my clothing finds the individual.
The whole process, from start to finish, is a piece of artwork. I look for clothing in garage and estate sales, and become friends with old ladies, like Lita Magdalena who lives on the corner, a couple blocks down from me. Now that we have a relationship, she’ll give me hand-me-downs from her son, and other fabrics from her. Other times, I’ll find vintage materials, which I love!
How do you turn your art into a business?
Right now it’s word of mouth and Instagram. I stopped doing the pop-ups because my existing clientele is helping me sell a couple pieces a week.
What’s your process?
So I usually have fabric at the house. Then I rely on the clothing-making skills I’ve learned over the years, but I mostly sew – generally in the mornings.
What’s been important about launching Blue Hart?
It’s been super empowering for me and women in general. Blue Hart promotes women in my life, or those that come into my life through the clothing. I’ve been so lucky to find beautiful, passionate women that push the boundaries because of their bad-ass spirits.
Having the support of women who model is also great. I’ll just give them clothing whenever they help me promote. The sisterhood within Blue Hart is what helps me through being a single mother.
How did you pick up skills and career opportunities along the way?
I learned fashion photography solely by using my model’s cameras. I would borrow their iPhones, take a bunch of photos, and edit and send the best ones.
(laughs)
I was so stoked when I got my first iPhone, which I just used for my shoots. Its so nice to have the collection of photos for Blue Hart over the years.
Also, networking is so easy to do now just by sending out emojis to everyone. Sending friends and clients updates is very simple.
I was even able to land a job at a big fashion brand through a neighbor who found my work impressive.
How has Blue Hart become a pillar in your life?
It’s something that gives me purpose. If I had just worked at a normal day job for 10 years then I would definitely be feeling empty.
What are some tips for the world?
We need to be teachers for each other. It’s the blessing of getting older!
You have to have the energy and time to find your passion outside of your life. You actually have to strive to find it. In order to get the freedom for your passion, you may need to sacrifice parts of your career and relationships.
You need to be business-savvy if you want to sell well.
Having new faces and a collection of different pieces keeps a clothing brand fresh on something like Instagram.
We’re all on our individual journeys. There’s no one path for everyone.
The crazy thing with art is “if you build it, they will come.”
Keep doing what’s drawing you. Follow what feels right. If something’s not pulling you, don’t do it. Sometimes it will take time to understand the difference between the two, but make a decisive choice once you figure it out.
Follow Julia on Instagram (@bluehartclothing)!