Meet Christine Evans | Apparel Designer & Political Enthusiast

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christine Evans and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christine, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Initially my former co-worker and I decided to sell clever graphic t-shirts with Dr. Fauci’s face on them (using a parody Gucci logo as inspiration) to raise funds for the American Red Cross and all their efforts working on the frontlines during the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The product was so successful that we decided to create a small business called Data Based Fashion (DBF)! DBF has since been put on the back-burner due to other job opportunities and projects that have come our way, but provided me with valuable experience and the tools I will use to start another business. Although DBF was mainly around during the height of the pandemic, creating this small business (during a pandemic I might add!) has given me wonderful exposure to follow my true passion: eventually creating my own business under my own name!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I love creating American sportswear (not to be mistaken with athletic-wear!) that has a unique feel to it. I grew up in Washington, D.C. where both my parents worked in politics. Despite all efforts to escape anything political, I came to realize a majority of my work tends to have political undertones to it, and/or some sense of Americana influence. My favorite part about designing is when I’m able to take quintessential moments from my upbringing and use them as inspiration for a piece. Whether it’s taking a current events figure, like Dr. Fauci, and using his face as a playful graphic on a t-shirt to promote getting vaccinated, or painting on shirts as a creative outlet, (i.e. using inspiration as simple as getting an ice cream cone on the boardwalk at the beach––a core memory from when I was young), I like to integrate my hobbies, interests, and personal experiences into my work. I would consider my art and designs to have that Americana influence, but with a little whimsical, playful touch. They bring my love for politics hand-in-hand with clothing I would wear and are something that feels fun and packs a punch!

Professionally, I got where I am today thanks to the support of family, friends and mentors, having the wonderful opportunity to study at the best design schools around the world, and being able to make connections through wonderful career experiences, networking and hard work.

I grew up attending an all-girls private school in Washington, D.C. that I adored. The institution was known for having a wonderful art program, but not so much for sending girls to design schools. I was fortunate enough to realize I wanted to pursue design as a career path at a young age. When I presented the idea to teachers at the school, they simply told me that was not really an option, which at the time was a little disheartening. When presented with this outcome, I did what my high school taught young women to do when facing obstacles: overcome said obstacle at all costs and to not take ‘no’ for an answer. With the help and support from my art teachers and my family, I was able to apply to the top design universities in the country and pursue my passion, despite the initial pushback.

I am privileged enough to have received a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Parsons School of Design in New York City, in addition to studying at Central Saint Martins over in London, England for a semester. During my time at both institutions, I made so many wonderful friendships with classmates and professors, and learned so much from their creativity, wisdom and guidance. Studying in two of the most creative cities in the world was so wonderful because I was able to meet new people, learn about new cultures and subcultures and have new experiences I couldn’t have even imagined as a young girl! Inspiration and creativity are everywhere!

During my time in school, I interned at several companies, including Under Armour, Tory Burch, Oscar de la Renta, and Michael Kors, to name a few. I used my time at school, and during my internships, to absorb as much information as possible. I am so grateful for all of these opportunities because I learned so much (and continue to learn new things every day) from my peers and mentors! I feel all of these experiences in the classroom and the workforce have shaped me into the designer I am today. Without creative guidance and communication with my peers I wouldn’t have been able to create half the designs I already have!

Since graduating, I have also had the extraordinary privilege of working for two major fashion brands: Kate Spade New York and Ralph Lauren. In working at all these places, I have learned the importance of making valuable connections, being kind and positive to everyone I meet,  and most importantly, staying curious. Asking questions and constantly wanting to learn new things have become valuable tools for me as I continue to expand my design vocabulary. My training from school and these career opportunities, in addition to my love for learning, has prepared me to work at these incredible companies, to which I am so grateful.

Most importantly, I have found that each opportunity I’ve had has prepared me in working towards my ultimate goal: starting my own brand. I am working towards creating my own brand under my own name, that encapsulates my personal experience of “the American dream.” I intend to create a brand that captures the American spirit that is playful, fun, nostalgic and makes anyone wearing my clothing feel confident and comfortable, and like they have a sense of purpose. This, however, is just my personal experience growing up in the Nation’s Capital. I feel that each person has a unique experience in the United States to which I intend to collaborate with other designers who will share their own experiences and stories through their clothing, as I intend to do with mine. I feel clothing is a way to express authenticity and who we are externally––almost like visual storytelling. The more storytelling we can do, the better we get to know each other and learn about each other’s experiences, and what better way than through creativity and clothing?

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh boy this is tough! There’s always so much to do in NYC so it would definitely depend on the friend and what they’re into. One of my favorite things to do in NYC, however, maybe my ideal NYC day, would be to go check out a museum, whether it’s the MET or the Brooklyn Museum, or even little galleries in Chelsea, and roam around with a friend looking at unexpected art. I would probably then take my friend vintage shopping over in Brooklyn or even just roam around Lower East Side and pop into any boutiques or stores that look interesting. Maybe even go into a book store or a print shop like McNally Jackson or Printed Matter. Bagels are a must. I live close to Heaven’s Hot Bagels in Lower East Side, so we would probably swing by there and eat like… 12 bagels each. Maybe even go stroll in Tompkins or Washington Square Park. I feel like the best days in NYC are always the ones that are loosely planned, if not planned at all. There’s always so much to do and so much to see that sometimes by not planning anything, you can stumble upon some really cool, random opportunities. It can be anxiety inducing if you’re like me: someone who loves to plan, but I’ve found that you have the coolest experiences that way.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I love this idea of recognition! I feel like success is always attributed to the people that help you along the way––you can’t do it alone! And if someone is, then please tell me your secrets! That being said, I owe a lot of my success to so many people, which I’m incredibly grateful and lucky I can say: My dad, Lisa, my family, my friends, my professors. Most notably though, I want to dedicate my shoutout to my high school art teacher, Catherine Batza. From day one she encouraged me to pursue my passion for design, in an environment where my passions were, quite frankly, discouraged. She took me seriously and fostered my interests when no one else would. She made sure I was able to pursue what I loved at all costs, and ensured that I could do anything I wanted as long as I worked hard and stayed focused– and for that I will always be eternally grateful. We still keep in touch to this day and I always love hearing about her life updates and continue to get her feedback and advice.

Website: https://www.christinemarieevans.com/

Instagram: @Christineevansart

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-evans-3b27a2113/

Other: https://databasedfashion.format.com/ (additional website to small business- Data Based Fashion)

Image Credits
Fernando Osorio Olivia Wilde (via instagram) Christine Evans (myself) Cassidy Walker