In this conversation
Ruby is the creative director behind Dreamland: happy, nostalgic fun clothing. Known for big bold prints inspired by TV shows and popular culture, in particular her upside down collection inspired by Stranger Things.
Ruby takes me through how she started out the label and why travel and people watching are central to her creative process. There’s definitely a thread of nostalgia that quite clearly runs through her work but it’s also routed in her experiences and collaborations.
The episode ebbs and flows from the positive to the realities of running a small creative business. It’s been a tough time recently for so many businesses and Ruby sums it up beautifully when she says
“I’m very much trying to keep this small boat afloat in a very choppy ocean”
We also go on to talk about the importance of saying ‘no’. It’s really difficult when you start out but it can lead to burn out. Picking and choosing the right opportunities that are healthy for you and your business is difficult but can make an enormous difference to your creative career.
We also touch on the issue of space in Dundee and how it has affected Ruby directly. If you’re experiencing something similar or are just curious then please check out the Hapworks project (hapworks.co)
If you haven’t done already go and check out Dreamland’s latest collections:
https://www.dreamlandclothing.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/dreamlandclothing/
