June 17, 2016
Jessie Dib and RA+RE
Maker Spotlight
Venezuelan designer, Jessie Dib is a woman of many trades. Not only is her eponymous jewelry line modern and bold, but she also runs a collaborative clothing and music label called RA+RE. Needless to say, this girl knows how to make a statement!
Where did your business name come from? Is there an interesting story behind it?
Fun fact: My last name Dib is a Lebanese name which comes from my dad’s heritage.
RA+RE is a brand created by three girls and each of our names is represented in the title: claRA, claiRE and me, Jessie (+).
Have you always been passionate about design?
Absolutely! It runs through my veins, and I have been designing for as long as I can remember.
When/why did you start working in this particular craft/field?
The Jessie Dib collection originated as a father/daughter “hobby” and a way to spend time together back when I was 11 years old. Years later, I decided to take it to the next level and turn it into a small family business.
RA+RE started in October 2013 as an alternative female producer, vinyl only record label. The clothing label came shortly after. RA+RE is a brand that aims to build a community of girls that love music, clothing, and working together.
What do you think sets your designs apart from others?
Each and every design for Jessie Dib is a unique and one-of-a-kind piece, handmade by my father, my brother, and myself. No two pieces are the same, so as a buyer you will always be getting a little piece of wearable art that was made with a lot of love and passion. I use various materials and focus on minimal, bold and sharp shapes that create a very strong visual representation of the brand.
The RA+RE SS16 collection was inspired by Ibiza. We wanted to transmit this energy through our clothes, so we decided to use Indian saree fabrics embellished with gold and silver thread, sequins, beads, and stones, and combined them to the simple, comfortable and minimal shapes that RA+RE is known for. You will also find the RA+RE traditional backless cut garments designed to make women feel sexy and look elegant at the same time. For this season, we have also included accessories for the RA+RE girls’ summer parties and festivals — the Roland multi use bag, the Moog and Korg bindis, and the Elysia and Busby handmade brass headpieces.
Have you sacrificed anything to create your business? If so, what was it, and do you have any regrets?
Definitely my time, which is a very valuable thing that flies right by. I do not regret it one bit, I love what I do – I do what I love.
What has been your proudest/favorite moment since creating your business?
Tyra Banks wore several of our Jessie Dib pieces in America’s Next Top Model cycle 21. We have also been featured in ELLE, Cosmo, and Vogue Brazil.
RA+RE won the “baby brand” contest in Paris, and we were recently interviewed by ASOS Marketplace!
How does the city you live in influence your work?
The Jessie Dib collection is very much influenced by the NYC rush, the architecture, the boldness of the New Yorker, and the sharpness that the city builds in my character. But it is also influenced by my hometown in Venezuela, with textures given to the pieces as representation of the Mountains and the Sea.
RA+RE is influenced by Paris, NYC and Berlin, the European female DJ producers and the girls that go to watch them play and dance.
What made you take this leap into being your own boss?
I have never been a person who could follow a time schedule or deadlines. Being my own boss was in my character, it was bound to happen. I just read the signs and went for it!
What are some tips or suggestions you’d like to offer to fellow makers?
Don’t think too much about the list of things you have to do, just dive in and do them. The more you think about them the more you are wasting valuable time to create.
