Today we’d like to introduce you to Patty Gill.
Hi Patty, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I have been creating in one form or another for as long as I can remember, and I come by it honestly. My dad could build anything, including laying a brick fireplace in our home, something he had never done before. My mom was a master seamstress and taught me to sew at an early age–this is probably when I started my love of fabrics and textile art. I then began ‘dabbling’ in many forms of art/creativity–painting, writing, sewing, candle-making, macrame, decoratively painting furniture, and much more. I recently just began studying the art of “sashiko’, a form of Japanese folk embroidery whose roots are based in the need to recycle old, worn clothing.
While I still enjoy practicing many forms of creative expression, I have found my niche in textile art. The hunt for vintage or recyclable clothing thrills my heart. I love the challenge of bringing new life to something others might think no longer has value. As a Christian, this reminds me of God’s love for us and how we can find new life and value through His grace.
One of the goals of my business, Rocksteady Fashion, is to bring joy through fashion and to make fashion fun again!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Life isn’t always smooth, and things happen. After a rough divorce, I decided to leave creativity behind and joined the workforce to support myself and my 3-young children. It was many years later that I was finally able to come back to the creative life and started selling antiques, collectibles, and hand-painted furniture. But my love of vintage clothing and textiles kept calling my name, and I started my business “Rocksteady Fashion’ which deals in not only vintage clothing but also wearable art, high fashion styles, recycled one-of-a-kind clothing, and accessories.
Due to the loss of both my sisters over the last few years, I have decided to downsize and give myself some time to breathe, heal, regroup, and hopefully start again. I am looking forward to this time of refreshment and peace and thank God for the ability to recognize I need this.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
After retiring from my office job of 21 years, I decided to go full-time into fashion. I started doing local shows and filled my booth with lots of the curated vintage fashion I had found. I LOVE meeting people and watching them smile as they look through my racks of clothes. They will often share memories these clothes bring to them and that makes me smile as well. I now have many customers I am proud to say have become dear friends. I’ve been told by many that my collection and variety of vintage clothing is one of the best they’ve seen.
I am hoping that Rocksteady Fashion will become known for its individual style and uniqueness—because, after all, our motto is “clothing as unique as you”!
What were you like growing up?
I had a wonderful childhood full of good times, good memories, and good friends. Many of my cousins and I were close in age, and we saw each other often. The grown-ups would get together to play card games, usually at our house, and we would run around for HOURS outside till dark and then inside until all the sugar from the donuts we ate wore off! Those were good times.
I had many friends in my neighborhood that I went to school with, so we literally grew up together from kindergarten through high school. I’m still in touch with many of them, even though we went our separate ways as adults.
I love meeting new people through my business and enjoy it when they tell me their stories. Sometimes, we just need someone to listen and share our heart with. A sympathetic ear and a hug goes a long way!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rocksteadyfashions/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rocksteadyfashions
