Get to Know: Ryan Knew
Houston creative Ryan Taylor of Ryan Knew expresses his 2020 quarantine experience as a moment of clarity and motivation. There’s a mystery behind Taylor’s brand that creates a link between his audience and the designs he uses. Moving forward, he’ll have a DIY-approach with design, focusing on translating his creations to be more realistic and emotional.
WWD: Please introduce yourself. Where are you quarantined right now? How are you feeling?
Ryan Taylor: I am Ryan Taylor, design director for Ryan Knew. I’m home in Houston, Tex., continuing production and keeping schedules rolling as factories close down so it’s been a rough quarantine but one that has given clarity on a lot of things the brand needed.
WWD: Given the circumstances, how have you found inspirations these days?
R.T.: Inspiration has actually not been that difficult with everything at a quieter pace. It’s a lot easier to read the signs of the times and culture and pick small pieces out that continue to develop the story of Ryan Knew.
WWD: Right now, are there any special mementos you stand by? What would you advise your future self and brand to be?
R.T.: This quarantine has shifted the focus of manufacturing to a lot more DIY, in-house work from labeling to pattern work. A lot of the focus has shifted back home, at this turning point had I given myself this same platform of thinking this quarantine truly wouldn’t have slowed anything down. So a lesson from this is to be more hands on inhouse. It gives you a lot more control when unforeseen circumstances come.
WWD: Moving forward, what are your plans for the future?
R.T.: The fashion landscape as well as culture landscape has changed. You have houses pulling out of traditional showing and releases and opting for more online and social media viability. I think that’s also what’s next for Ryan Knew: a focus on doing it our way, still keeping an eye on schedules but more so creating our own schedule and continuing building a cult following.