Today we’d like to introduce you to Raquel Osby.
Raquel, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have always been interested in fashion since I was a kid. The moment my Nana bought me my first sewing machine and taught me how to sew I knew that I wanted to become a fashion designer.
After graduating from Savannah College of Arts and Design (SCAD), I started saving money and working towards my goal of starting RMB Apparel. During that time, I worked for two companies Style Consortium Showroom and Paloma St. James at the Americas Mart which gave me the chance to work in the fashion industry and learn from experienced designers. I feel like you can only learn so much in school and the real learning begins once you step outside the classroom and really experience the industry for yourself. I met so many different designers and spoke with them about how they started their companies and they all said the same thing. Instead of waiting for the “right time” to start they just did it. I really took that to heart. There is never really a “right time” to do anything, sometimes you have to just get up and do it. So, with that, I quit my job at Style Consortium and found a job that didn’t require traveling and started the process of turning my dreams of RMB into a reality. With the money I saved and a little help from my extremely supportive family, I made Respect My Body Apparel an LLC and began working on my first collection.
Has it been a smooth road?
Nope, not at all and I wouldn’t want it to be. When it comes to RMB I wear so many different hats. I am the owner, designer, photographer, social media manager, website creator, and my own manufacture. I come home from work every day around 5:30 pm and sew until 11:30pm-12am then start my day all over again around 6 a.m. Everything sold on RMBApparel.com is hand made by me and I feel like that’s one of the key elements that makes this brand special. It’s hard work to start a clothing brand and the roads are beyond rocky, but it’s worth the blood, sweat, and tears. I know that’s cliché but, in all honesty, it’s true.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Respect My Body Apparel (RMB Apparel) is a women’s clothing brand, but it represents so much more. My mother, father, and grandmother (Nana) have always instilled in me the importance of knowing my worth, carrying myself like a lady, and having respect for myself. I really owe them thanks for the name, because of the many talks we’ve had about self-respect and loving yourself the name Respect My Body came about. I created this brand to share my message with the world about self-love. I wanted to create a clothing line that made women feel confident about themselves on the outside but also gives them confidence on the inside. What I love most about RMB Apparel is that we help women create their own unique style. My friend said that RMB’s style is minimalistic and shes right t. The fact that the clothes aren’t flashy it gives the customer the opportunity to dress it down or up and turn it into something that fits their personal style.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I can say with total confidence that Atlanta is an amazing place to start a business, especially in the arts. When starting my business, I knew I was in the right city to do it because of the massive art community here. The fact that the fashion industry/community is still growing is amazing if you’re going to start your own clothing brand here. There are so many opportunities to connect with creative minds in and outside the city. The only thing I would say is if you are joining this type of community you really have to venture outside your comfort zone connect with people and don’t be shy about it.
Contact Info:
- Website: rmbapparel.com
- Email: info@rmbapparel.com
- Instagram: rmb_apparel
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
