Get To Know: Cristina Montesinos of sideRACK.
Sponsor time! Hooray! Let me introduce you to a new online retailer featuring fabulous small designers and vintage wares…
Meet Cristina Montesinos of sideRACK.
Name: Cristina Montesinos
Business Name: sideRACK
Where are you located?
We are an online retailer.
What is it that you design and create?
SideRACK.net offers a collection of small/indie designer brands and vintage clothes.
We are very selective with who we showcase so when viewers visit our site they won’t feel overwhelmed or have to dig to find the gems. We want to expose our small labels to a broader audience and in turn help these brands to prosper. We also have introduced (with the consumer in mind) alternative ways of purchasing clothing by not only offering the traditional purchasing methods, but rental and custom order options as well.
How did you come up with your business name?
SideRACK came about due to the frustration of my tired closet options. As we all know, a new piece will help bring sparks to an old closet, so sideRACK’s intent is to do exactly this, be the SIDE closet (full of goodies) to your wardrobe.
Where/How did this all begin?
SideRACK was created when I personally experienced the economic hardships of the 2009 recession. Even though I had now joined the many unemployed I still wanted to enjoy the garments created by indie Designers. The major problem was that even though I wanted to support their craft, my finances were in no shape to venture into their quarters. Because of this struggle between logic and style, sideRACK was born.
SideRACK came to life to help bridge the gap between young Designer clothes and contemporary prices by introducing new ways of purchasing.
Who or what inspires you?
Young Designers who have the determination and courage to put their passion out there without fear of falling/failing. People who think for themselves and try to achieve the dreams they have conjured up.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Looking for new Designers, browsing their collections, and also each time we get an order; because we get to call the Designer we support and tell them the good news.
Crafty folks know that accumulating new tools and supplies is something that comes along with the territory. What are your favorite tools and supplies?
Well we aren’t creating anything, but I am definitely using “tools” I’ve never used. The one I like the best is twitter, I never used it prior to sideRACK.net, but I’ve found that it gets addictive.
What advice would you give independent artists who are just starting out?
I would say really look at the marketplace and find a niche that isn’t being served and see if that holds any passion for you. Independent artists are very passionate, but some lack the appreciation for the business side of Fashion and to live from their designs they have to find that balance between creativity, relevance, and necessity.
What is your favorite indie/vintage purchase?
Shoes, I love vintage shoes!!
What’s on your iPod/music player right now? What’s on your “Crafting Music Playlist”?
Right now I have in constant rotation the song “Lust for Life” by Girls. They are a band based out of San Francisco and we actually used their song on our street style video.
What t.v. shows are you currently hooked on?
Kell on Earth
What was the last movie you watched?
Where the Wild Things Are.
What’s your favorite food?
Anything from a vegetarian menu.
What’s your favorite candy?
Nerds on a Rope…I LOVE THEM!!
Coffee or Tea?
Depends on my mood, I love both!
What store could you wander around in and be happy?
Thrift stores, I love the hunt.
Any pets?
A kitty….Changis
Favorite place to visit or place you’d like to visit?
Milan, Italy…I love people watching, that alone is so inspiring.
Do you have a day job in addition to your crafty business? What do you secretly wish you could do/be?
My team and I are dedicated to the site entirely, there are so many ways to get lost in everyday duties and there seems to not be enough hours to get everything done.
Do you speak any other languages? If not, would you like to learn one?
I speak Spanish, Italian and German, but I would love to learn French and Greek as well.
What are your plans and/or goals {business or personal} for 2010?
sideRACK is continually growing their womenswear designer list, but are looking to branch out to other areas such as menswear and plus in the near future.
While we currently have one amazing European Designer (Dariya Repina) on our site, we are also looking to the international market to expand and bring European Indie designers to our RACKS.
Thanks so much, Cristina! I love the idea of sideRACK and that in addition to purchasing items via your site, you also offer rentals and custom orders. Brilliant! Oh, and Kell on Earth…LOVE! When is the next season already {I know, it just ended}. Here’s some current items at the shop {see below for discount offer}…
Grey Babydoll Dress by Chulette: $345.00; The Olivia Top by Snoozer Loser: $50.00 {on sale}
Gunmetal by Babette Epaulette: $149.00; Sangria in Sevilla by Indigo Rhino Designs: $175.00
Cape Style Shirt by Tar and Feather: $280.00; Stevie T-Shirt Dress, Custom Order by Lara Miller: $286.00
For the month of April sideRACK will be featuring Eco-designer Lara Miller. They’re offering free shipping on any of her items this month.
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aloha! i’m Liana. this is my site. i am not a professional writer. i pretty much just write the way i talk. it’s fun meeting new online friends and introducing these amazing artists. i’ll do my best to keep you entertained.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by mixedplate/Liana. mixedplate/Liana said: learn more about sideRACK & what it has to offer. oh, & also get to know it's wonderful creator… http://bit.ly/a9FbEa [...]
LOVE your blog!