Stephanie Drabik and Rose Chang of Crywolf clothing have been part of our showcase since Popthreads started out. I’m a particular fan of their Zombie Bunnies and Unicorn Chloe. They make great limited edition t-shirts, tanks, and hoodies with their unique, fun drawings, which is why were were so pleased when Rose and Stephanie took time out of their busy lives launching their new Spring collection to answer our interview questions!
Let’s start off with a pretty simple question: Where’d you first get the ideas for the items in your line?
It started as a side project while we were both attending art universities (Stephanie at OCAD and Rose studying fine art at U of T). One summer afternoon, we were both talking about stuff we would love to see on shirts, and what we would buy. Since we were both spending time doing some printmaking, we thought “Hey, let’s put some of our drawings on shirts and try to sell them online” and that’s exactly what we did!
What is the most important thing you’ve learned running your company + brand?
I think everything that we’ve been through has helped us in some way or another. One of the more important things that we’ve learned is that you have to pick something and stick with it. There will be ups and downs, and haters always, but if you love what you do, than you just have to weather the storm and persevere.
Can you describe your design process? How do you choose materials + get started?
We have two main design periods, one at the beginning of each year and then one in the middle of the year, around July. Before we start designing we always have some brainstorming sessions to figure out what it actually is that we’ll be working on. We save up ideas, come up with new ones and once we have 6 – 12 designs, we split them up. All of our designs start off hand-drawn with pencil, and then usually lined with black, scanned into the computer and worked on digitally. This process can vary depending on the nature of the design (ie, be constructed entirely on the computer). We always collaborate on designs from the start and get feedback from each other. It’s a very organic process and what starts out as one idea sometimes totally changes by the end.
One of the more important things that we’ve learned is that you have to pick something and stick with it. There will be ups and downs, and haters always, but if you love what you do, than you just have to weather the storm and persevere.
There’s a sustainable + green trend in fashion these days. What do you think about that? Political correctness, PR stunts, or is there something to it…?
There’s definitely a heightened sense of concern these days for the environment because we are actually starting to see some of the ill effects of our consumption and mass production. When a company takes a step in an environmentally friendly direction it definitely reflects on them positively and companies can definitely use that to their advantage but either way we see it as a good thing if they’re doing something less wasteful!
Who are some of your inspirations + other favorite designers…?
One of our inspirations is Johnny Cupcakes, not really aesthetically, but we can appreciate the entire idea/philosophy on which he built his brand. Some of our favorite local clothing brands who also happen to be awesome people are Clothing Brand Experiment, Pause Designs, Sick on Sin, We Kill You, Lip Gloss & Black.
I’ve always enjoyed the “famous” Proust Questionnaire. So I pulled a few of my favorites for you to answer
What is your current state of mind?
s: Content and antsy at the same time.
r: My mind is always racing.
What is your favorite occupation?
s: Ours! Crywolf.
r: Ch’yea what Steph said.
What is your most treasured possession?
s: That’s tough. Probably my grandfather’s negatives, my cameras, and my art/poster/print collection.
r: My marcel dzama ghost lamp, julie moon skull, and other art things I’ve collected.
What is your greatest extravagance?
s: Nail polish. I have a huge collection! I love doing my nails, I find it therapeutic, haha.
r: Hmm, hard to say. I would say, maybe eating sushi – it’s expensive but it’s my favorite food, and I just can’t get enough.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
r: I would consider Crywolf as my greatest achievement. It’s harder than it looks to run a business, and I think Steph and I have both been pushed to the extreme of our abilities to make it work since it’s just the two of us who run everything.
s: What Rose said!
What is your motto?
s: Laugh now, cry never.
r: No sleep for the wicked-awesome. I say this to myself when working very long/late.
Where would you like to live?
s: I like Toronto. I haven’t traveled a ton so I haven’t been anywhere that I’d rather live than visit yet but I know those places are out there!
r: I’m happy in Toronto.
What is the quality you most admire in a man?
s: A balance of confidence and humility.
r: Intelligence, kindness, humility.
What is the quality you most admire in a woman?
s: Independence and big hair.
r: Same as above.
If you could choose an object to come back as, what would it be?
s: A Bu! So someone can customize me and love me forever. (A little shameless self-promotion never hurt anyone) 
A Bu! So someone can customize me and love me forever. (A little shameless self-promotion never hurt anyone)
Who has been the greatest influence on you?
s: Probably the people that I surround myself with. Family, friends and peers.
r: Everyone that has been in my past and present has influenced me in someway or another.
Alright, nearly done. 2012 has just started. What are your plans for your brand this year?
Show-wise, it will be our first time at Anime North this year (at the end of May) so we’re excited about that. We’ll be doing a pop-up shop called The Spot on Queen the last 2 weekends of June and then the usual CNE circuit and One of a Kind Christmas show. We’re working with our friend Steve who makes amazing things out of wood to revamp our entire booth set-up so we’re excited about that too. Also going to make a bunch of customized Bu’s to sell so keep your eyes out for them! We are also just starting to work on a new custom Crywolf clothing line. We hope to design our own style of loose t-shirt, tank, and sweatshirt to be manufactured by the end of the year! More on that to come…
Last, we love to hear about music. So, do you have a favorite soundtrack + album to work to…?
s: I usually just put my ipod on shuffle and hope for the best (haha). Lately One Hundred Dollars “Songs of Man” has made sewing a little less tedious. Also, Motown never fails me.
r: I just discovered Of Monsters and Men and I have a tendency to exhaust albums before I move onto the next one.
