It is impossible to ignore the success of the launch of Here's To You and the August sweater, but this new collection, Blank Canvas, is the first step to the long term vision for the brand. The concept that I explain below is integral to the joy that I wake up with everyday and the same experience I see others take pride in and speak so highly of. I hope you enjoy the blog.
BLANK CANVAS VEST - NATURAL
BLANK CANVAS
Blank Canvas is a made-by-hand apparel collection that will be slow-released between November 2022 and Fall 2023. Each Blank Canvas release is accompanied by additional Here’s To You clothing and accessories e.g. this collection includes a brand t-shirt and two brand bandanas.
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BLOG SECTION GUIDE & SECTION RECAP ( In case you're short on time)
BLANK CANVAS CONCEPT
Blank Canvas is a slow release composition of art about the ability to change paths in life and sit with the freedom of a blank canvas.
WHAT IS A SLOW RELEASE COLLECTION?
A collection of apparel and accessory items gradually released across multiple releases intended to combat negative impacts of the fashion industry including micro trends, traditional fashion calendar cycles, overconsumption via fast fashion and more.
HOW DOES BLANK CANVAS SUPPORT HERE'S TO YOU'S BRAND MISSION?
Blank Canvas items are created with two design objectives, 1) artist/creative utility and/or 2) artist/creative aesthetic
H2Y brand mission: Be additive to creatives' lives.
DESIGN DETAIL
Can't recap this kind of detail, my friend.
CLOSING CONVERSATION (Comment section is open at the bottom of the blog)
1) How many items are in your closet that you know the person whose hands made the garment?
2) How old were you and what were you doing when you felt you had shifted your life to a new path?
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BLANK CANVAS CONCEPT
We can all think of a time that we thought about leaving a life, or an aspect of life, behind to chase something we desired, maybe for you or someone you know that time is right now, in these moments (go for it). The Blank Canvas concept is an expression of the ability that we have to change the path we are on for another, potentially totally unrelated to the current path, if that is what will truly fulfill us and provide us or others the life we desire. The empowerment of self in taking a step like that can be immeasurable to one's happiness. The liberation in choosing fulfillment, even if you are now face-to-face with a blank canvas, provides you full agency over your life and control in how your life moves forward from that point.
I'll try my best to communicate that same message through this collection over the next year. As this collection grows over the next few seasons I hope to evolve it into more of an artistic composition encompassing more than just the organic cotton canvas clothing but also include other visual art and other artist's voices too.
WHAT IS A SLOW RELEASE COLLECTION?
As I build this very new Here's To You community I want to make sure we are all on the same page at least a little bit so I am going to back up a smidge to touch on the term slow-fashion. The Pearl Source Blog describes it as, "Slow fashion is a concept that opposes fast fashion. The movement advocates for conscious production, distribution, as well as mindful consumerism ...as opposed to fast fashion, slow fashion encourages initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint, child labor and other unethical industry practices." Here's To You, and I myself, heavily align with the slow fashion movement. All Blank Canvas items will be made by hand by me (potentially with help of friends in the future) in my Brooklyn studio.
Blank Canvas is a slow release capsule collection. Similar to what you will find if you Google “slow release” where medical websites talk about capsules and other forms of medication that “release consistent amounts of a drug over a long period and the patient does not need to medicate frequently.” It is an uncanny parallel as the Here’s To You slow release collection is gradually rolled out over the course of at least three releases, meaning, after the Blank Canvas vest is released this November multiple Blank Canvas items will be released in the Summer 2023 collection and Fall 2023 collection that will complete the release of the entire capsule. This is an intentional direct counter to today’s negative impacts of fast-fashion and micro trends
Good On You defines micro-trends as, "[micro]trends rise to popularity quicker and then leave the trend cycle faster. While traditional fashion trends typically last a few years, micro trends' life spans are shorter, with some lasting less than one season." Additionally, fast fashion behemoth, SHEIN was recently exposed by an undercover journalist who visited their warehouse and reported egregious working conditions and garment worker safety.
HOW DOES BLANK CANVAS SUPPORT THE MISSION OF HERE’S TO YOU?
Our Here's To You brand mission is, to be additive to creative's lives. That can come in many forms especially in the reality of the spectrum of experience level in creatives. This clothing that I will make will always serve a utility. That utility might be a pocket on a button up that you habitually put your AirPods in, or that utility could be a style aesthetic for you to wear so that you feel like a creative after a long day in a work environment that doesn't feed that part of you. As I mentioned above too, over the next 10 - 12 months there will be other aspects of Blank Canvas that will serve the creative community other than just the clothing. I can't freaking wait to share it all with you.
002 RELEASE DIGITAL LINESHEET
DESIGN DETAIL
Blank Canvas begins it’s year-long journey with an organic cotton canvas relaxed-fit vest with minimal detailing. For the raw canvas vest we have red detailing including crimson cotton sateen lining and then a black vest variation with cream detailing and cream cotton twill lining. For a sprinkle of utility the vest has two pockets, a traditional left chest pocket and on the right, a dual entry pocket, side & top, both pockets also lined. Alongside the inaugural style of the Blank Canvas collection is a cream colored 100% cotton tee with a maximalist front graphic design jabbing the stake of the Brooklyn-based aspect of the new brand. Two 100% cotton bandanas round out the November 20th 11:00 AM ET release. A screen printed design that I am still at a battle with, do we go with calling it a "scribble" design as in, you can be creative anywhere you go and scribble on anything or do we go with calling it the "loose-thread" design, because if you're an artist you've got at least a few loose threads up in the ole' noggin. Am I rite??? One bandana matches the raw canvas vest and crimson detail color scheme and the other one is the same design but in white ink on a black bandana. Getting a bit deeper into the garment design, the twin stitch that goes along the edge of the vest is an expression of the decision of practicality & fulfillment throughout life as both paths are available at every moment. Deep stuff, I know.
CLOSE & QUESTION
I am excited for what Blank Canvas will represent in the future. I truly think that it can impact & change lives, at the very least, make people think. Whatever comes of this I appreciate you giving it, Here's To You, me, your time. If you feel compelled to answer one or both of the below questions below we could continue this little chat. Have a great day, night, week, weekend, my friends.
- Hud Oberly, Founder & Designer
1) How many items are in your closet that you know the person whose hands made the garment?
2) How old were you and what were you doing when you felt you had shifted your life to a new path?