đź–¤ From Canvas to Clothing: My Journey into Wearable Active Gear đź–¤

đź–¤ From Canvas to Clothing: My Journey into Wearable Active Gear đź–¤

 

đź–¤ From Canvas to Clothing: My Journey into Wearable Active Gear đź–¤

If you’ve been following along for a while, you know I’ve poured my heart into art, horses, and storytelling—but lately, I’ve been itching to take those passions beyond the canvas. So, I dove headfirst into a whole new creative venture: wearable active gear.

That’s right. Functional. Stylish. And totally me.

But let me tell you, it wasn’t just slapping a pretty print on a shirt and calling it a day. Nope—this was a journey.

🌟 The Spark

It started with a simple thought:
"Why isn't there more activewear that speaks to equestrians—like, really speaks to us?"

We want clothing that’s breathable, UV-protective, form-fitting, lightweight—but also expressive. Something you can wear from the saddle to the street. And wouldn’t it be amazing if it worked for cyclists, runners, hikers, and all the other outdoor dream-chasers too?

✍️ From Sketches to Strategy

I began sketching ideas. Not just about the art itself, but how the garment should feel. High necklines for sun protection. Quarter zips for breathability. Long sleeves, thumb holes, performance fabric—details that matter when you're out in the elements.

Next came the rabbit hole of research.

  • Learning e-commerce from scratch—Shopify, integrations, apps.

  • Diving into print-on-demand platforms to find high-quality, customizable activewear (spoiler alert: it took forever to find the right ones).

  • Sourcing mockups, testing tools, refining designs, and building the vision—one late night at a time.

There were setbacks. So many tabs. So many “ugh, that didn’t work.” But I learned. I adapted. I figured it out.

👕 What’s Coming

Right now, we’re waiting on demo prints of our first pieces—a collection of active shirts that blend equestrian flair with performance function. Think fantasy meets function, with sleek lines, bold visuals, and comfort you can move in.

I’m beyond excited to see how they turn out, and if they look as good as I think they will… well, let’s just say this might be the first of many wearable drops.

🚀 Why This Matters

This is more than just merch. It’s part of a bigger dream—bringing my art, my ranch life, my wild heart into forms people can wear. Whether you’re on horseback, a trail run, or just chasing sunlight—this is gear made to keep up with you.

And yes—it’s been a learning curve. A whole new world of sourcing, tech, branding, and strategy. But it’s been worth it.

Every hurdle, every crash-course tutorial, every late night designing has led to this: a functional, beautiful alternative to traditional equestrian wear that crosses into other worlds like cycling and active lifestyle fashion.

📲 Stay Tuned + Shop the Launch

We’re almost there—demo shirts are on their way, and if they pass the test, they’ll be up on the shop for you to grab!

👉 Sign up for early access, exclusive offers, and behind-the-scenes updates right on our website:
www.nadine-n-ripley.myshopify.com

And as always, thank you for riding along on this wild creative ride with me.

Love & hoofbeats,
Nadine

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