Today we’d like to introduce you to Carly Noad

Hi Carly, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.

When I hear this question I always think to myself, where do I start! Let me try and make this as short as I can. From where I began to where I am now there are so many creative roads I have dabbled into – but all of them lead back to one main umbrella and that is, design. My journey started off with clothing. I was making and reworking pieces of clothing I wanted but didn’t exist. Then I started making clothing specifically so I wouldn’t be wearing the same thing as someone else. Then, I noticed people started liking what I was doing so I began making 1 of 1 custom pieces. This is where my journey with clothing really began to take off and I was making collections out of repurposed materials, a collection out of ties for my late father and I just started making unique 1 of 1 pieces that represented who I am. I am always looking to grow and try new things so I began having fun with headpieces, and boy do I love that world! There are literally no limits, you can let your mind run wild and I think anything that allows you to have that much freedom is something I want to be a part of. I started doing custom headpieces for photo shoots and it allowed me to push boundaries and challenge myself in a new way. While doing all these fun creative projects, I began working at a restaurant as a waitress. After working there for about 2 years, I started helping them with the design of their social pages, and began making content for them. Promo videos, food photography etc. Turns out, this area of design is right up my ally as well! I was learning so much about the business, food and everything in between. I had been doing that for about half a year, and then I an opportunity came my way to run a new restaurant close by. At first I thought, I’m not sure if I know enough about this business yet, or if I’m ready to take on something like this. But, opportunities like this don’t come often, so I took it. Like I said before, anything that will allow me to grow as a person and learn new skills and still gives me the ability to grow as a creative I will dive into. It’s a seasonal spot, open in the summertime so it was the perfect situation for me. I was able to fully design the entire look of the restaurant inside, the menu designs, the socials – you name it, I designed it. This area of design felt so natural to me and I never thought I would love it as much as I do. I pour my heart and soul into every picture, layout and video. Its hard to put into words how excited and thrilling the world of design is to me, but it brings me to life.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

I wish! If the road wasn’t bumpy, I don’t think you’re challenging yourself enough. When you get into something that’s new, there will always be obstacles and learning curves you’ll have to face and find solutions for. It’s natural to fail but as long as you can take it and improve, it will turn into an even better win. I definitely faced some struggles with clothing design when I first started. Knowing the right lingo, the different stitch names etc. Since I’m self taught, I wasnt familiar with the “proper” way of doing things. I’ve always just mimicked what I’ve seen in my own way or figured it out myself. Working with unfamiliar materials was a big challenge for me. I was always used to working with heavier more structured materials like denim – so once I started using twirl or stretchy materials it almost felt like I had to start from square one because everything was so different. The needles, the elasticity, the stitching etc. But, with every challenge or obstacle you overcome – you’ve created another skill for yourself. So although challenges can be frustrating and make you feel like you want to give up – push yourself to solve it because you will grow so much from it.

Now, owning and operating a restaurant has its own daily struggles and challenges! Especially coming from someone who is new to that whole world. Still to this day I am learning every day and always doing my best to improve and better myself with everything I do. Being one person and having to wear many hats can be overwhelming. Whatever challenges come your way be open to failing even more than once, as long as you are open to finding the best way to overcome it. It’s a marathon not a race, if you are scared to fail you wont get anywhere. Let yourself fall, but be ready to pick yourself up and keep going even harder

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

I specialize in clothing design, I create 1 of 1 pieces that represent who I am as a creative. Lots of denim, repurposed materials, patchwork and colour blocking.
I also create headpieces, which are all over the map. I work with beads, paper mache, metals, etc.

Its hard to answer what I’m most proud of, because I’m proud of everything I put out! They all have a story behind them, so they all hold so much meaning which makes me proud of each and every piece. But, if I had to pick, I am most proud of my tie collection. This was a collection consisting of 5 pieces, all made from ties I inherited after I lost my dad. I say this is what I’m most proud of because it holds the most meaning for me and is a very personal collection. It was also the toughest collection to get through. An emotional rollercoaster through and through. Some days I wanted to give up and toss everything away and other days I didn’t even want to look at the ties. Also, this collection made me challenge myself as a designer and try things ive never done before and it payed off.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?

I think there will definitely be a shift in the fashion design world. Everything is constantly evolving, but I think things will always shift to the online world even more. There are already fashion meta verses and I think this will allow designers to open a whole new world of clothing design and endless opportunities to explore boundaries, and new trends and the ability to do things we’ve never seen before

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bellys.bar
• Instagram: @carly.noad / @bellys.bar

Image Credits
Photograhpher: Allysandra Cervantes