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Meet Trailblazer Ruby Farias

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruby Farias.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Ruby. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
As a child, I was always interested in art and creating. My mother taught me to crochet, embroider, knit and sew. I found it very exciting that I could actually make a hat or scarf or just make designs on fabric. My first project was a pair of bell-bottom pants. I was in the 7th grade, 12 years old and so very proud of what I had sewn. No pattern, just another pair to copy from. It was the 70’s so they were bright pink and I embroidered a smiley face at the bottom of one of the pant legs.

I doodled constantly in grade school and high school. Most of my drawings were of shoes and dresses but I also loved abstract concepts. In high school, I began painting the ceilings and walls of my home and those of beloved friends. I moved back to the Midwest, where I studied drawing and poetry. While in Chicago, I began modeling. Later, a move to Boston brought me to the renowned cultural enclave of the east coast, and it was there that my artistic life began to flourish. I opened my first business, Ruby Heart Jewelry showing my handcrafted beaded jewelry in a number of art fairs throughout New England. I loved the art world I lived in and I was very happy.

As I was doing my art, I worked in retail but I found the long hours to be impeding my evenings when I was still in the fashion industry, creating and organizing fashion shows, so I decided to get a ‘day job’. I found myself in the banking industry and quickly strived to advance in my career. I took about a 15 year hiatus from my art, finding it again in 2001 when I was looking for a new opportunity. My daughter was two years old and I wanted to teach her how to paint. We took at trip to the art supplies store and filled our cart with color. I painted again for the first time in years and stepping back, I wondered why I had ever stopped. I vowed to myself that I would never put my brush down again.

Once I started painting again, I put my work up for display in galleries, coffee shops, and restaurants. I had a studio on Grand in downtown Phoenix and participated in First Fridays where I showed and sold my work. In addition to selling locally, I have also sold my work nationally. When I left the banking industry in 2008, I decided to focus on my passion. I co-founded “Me The Artist”, a paint and sip studio in North Phoenix. While there, I wanted to create a dress I could wear in the studio. I decided to splatter a plain dress with acrylic paint. I also splattered a pair of boots to match. I received so many compliments on the pieces and was asked by a number of people to create something for them. It was my wonderful friend and mentor that prompted me to move forward with painting & embellishing clothing. Not soon thereafter, I was approached to showcase my works in the Sheryl and Alice Cooper “Rock the Runway” Fashion Show. I met so many wonderful people and local celebrities that loved my work and some were my first clients. That was four years ago. I continue to love what I do creating custom one-of-a-kind painted and embellished clothing and accessories.

This past year, I created custom textile clothing using my paintings as my print. My paintings are printed onto fabric and with that fabric I create my clothing designs. I have also expanded into home goods such as pillows, napkins and placemats. One of the most important things I believe in is giving back to the community. I have devoted my time and talent to many not-for-profit organizations and have served in a variety of capacities. I am currently working on an exciting new project, collaborating with another designer and I still have more in the works. Sharing my work, as well as the energy and joy it brings me, with those around me is so important. Knowing that a newly designed pair of shoes, dress or gown that I create brings on conversation and attention to my clients is what brings me the most happiness.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road I took was in no way a smooth one- I was facing new challenges and learning new things at every turn. Starting out, I didn’t have a mentor to speak of- no one who had taken this path before me to turn to for advice. Let me just say that I made plenty of mistakes. Finally, I started networking and meeting other women and mentors who had the knowledge I was seeking and they helped me greatly. I am still learning and I believe I have much more to learn. I would say to those who are just getting started, find a mentor, someone who is not afraid to share. Be resourceful: ask friends who they might know who may be able to help you. Network! There are so many networking groups in the valley. There are also seminars on small business and grants that are out there for women. Check out the Small Business Administration. Go to events that are in the field you are interested in. Get out there, tell your story. Put out to the universe what you want, where you want to be and who you may need to help you. For me, moving from the corporate world to being an entrepreneur was frightening but preparation and planning are so important. I would say don’t wait, begin, even if it is little by little, an hour here and there every day. Set your sights and you will be able to move toward your dream. I am also very happy to share what I can to those who need a little guidance.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Ruby Farias Designs – what should we know?
I create custom one-of-a-kind painted and embellished clothing and accessories as well as custom designed fabrics, clothing, and home goods.

My clothing & accessories work is unique, stands out in a crowd and brings confidence and attention to my clients.

What sets me apart is my eye, my work, my composition of work. It encompasses the abstract, as well as symbolism and nature, have seen through my eye.

Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
I believe that our environment can play a role in our character but it is our soul that can make us whatever we want. It is important to have positivity in life. My family is endlessly supportive and creative. My parents were the best. We didn’t have much money but we were loved. My mother saw the beauty in nature- she was creative and loved her flowers and birds. My father worked in the steel mills and was a hard worker and a writer at heart. So, I possess much love, positivity, creativity , and a hard working ethic. I am independent. I saved to travel and see the world. I believe being well rounded and experiencing a variety of cultures is important. I think determination and a little stubbornness have helped me too. I don’t like to quit. I set my sights and go for my goals, but I do it at my pace and modify when I have to. Being resourceful and adaptive is so important. My experience in project management gave me a wealth of knowledge. Understanding the reality of task and fruition helps in not being disappointed. It took me a while to understand that what doesn’t bring you joy should not be allowed in your life. That includes the environment, people and work. I think that when we are on our path and we find what brings us joy in work, that is when everything falls into place. We just need to be open to it. I may have taken the long road, but I am where I am supposed to be. I look back at my 12 year old self and remember what it was that brought me joy and that was my art and fashion. Full circle? Absolutely!

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Image Credit:
RFD 2018 New Launch Designs – Marion Rhoades Photography, Know Phoenix Book – Jean Laninga Portraits

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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