New Year // New Brand!

Alas, we've made it to 2017! Thank FUCKING gawd, eh!? 2016 was a rough one for a lot of folks-- a year with tons of tragedy, loss and a seemingly never-ending stream of heartbreak. We endured one of the most tumultuous and nasty elections in American history, survived a slew of unfortunate and unnecessary acts of hate and violence, and are making the proverbial crawl across the finish line to give life another go with a new start and a fresh year. 

Isn't that what life's all about, though? Endurance? I can't think of a single person I know who's cruised through life without road blocks, potholes, fender benders and the like. What kind of people would we be if we didn't have to rise to challenges? Clear hurdles? Problem solve and fight for what we want and need? Our stories would be far less interesting and inspiring if all the good things we have were handed to us. I've never been so fortunate. I came from a wonderful middle class family that raised us right and gave us everything they could. We were fine! We were great! But I've never been handed anything for free. And as a result, I feel so much pride in the things I've achieved and earned. The raddest things in life require working towards them and are worth fighting for. You gotta persevere and hang in there to have the chance to continue the fight. 

Most who know me could tell you that I’ve wanted to be a designer since I was a very young kid. I’ve been drawing clothes and costumes and shoes for nearly 25 years now. But longing and wanting and dreaming and scheming doesn't pay the bills,... it doesn't snag you the right jobs and it doesn't make you a success. The fashion industry is an interesting one. It's shown as glitz and glamour but the reality is that it can be extremely fickle, biting and vicious; Long hours, low wages, and underappreciating -- or so has been my experience over the last decade. I've felt kicked down and hopeless in my career more times than I can count; But I've never been able to or willing to pull the plug. I've never been able to give up "the dream" and have continued pushing forward, sometimes with the last bits of energy I could muster. I've done everything in my power to visualize what I wanted my life and career to look like, think about it on a daily basis and do at LEAST something everyday; ONE THING, even; to move towards that goal. I have no idea when my time on this earth ends or what the expiration date is on my life. But I know that when that day comes, I want to be fully vested in my creative endeavours, proud of my work and the human being that I am. It's been a long weird road; but I'm so grateful that I've stuck it out and have never given up. Today in 2017, I can say I've finally had the opportunity to pursue my dreams to the fullest. 

This past summer, with the support and encouragement of my amazing husband and family, I took the totally-scary-but-simulataneously-exciting leap to go all in and start my own footwear company. I am beyond thrilled to finally share that I will be launching my inaugural namesake specialty rock n’ roll footwear brand “Charla Tedrick” this February 2.13.17!  I am beyond grateful for this opportunity, super hopeful for the future and excited to explore this new chapter in my life.