Meet Jiarui (Ruby) Cai | Fashion Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jiarui (Ruby) Cai and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jiarui (Ruby), what do you attribute your success to?
Do not let the gaze of the world intimidate you; persevere in your passion. My collections often face a lot of controversy. There was a time when I would be saddened upon receiving negative feedback. However, one of my instructors told me that people with many controversial about my collections are better than people looking at them, offering no comments, and then forgetting. When I firmly believe in pursuing what I love and giving one hundred percent effort, that is a success.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My childhood dream was to become a psychologist because being able to alleviate some negativity for others would bring me great joy. However, due to various reasons, I didn’t pursue that dream. When I became a fashion designer, I realized I could convey “happiness” to the audience through clothing. My collections may not always be the most beautiful and elegant on the runway, but they never fail to evoke a sense of joy in the viewers. This is the uniqueness of my design. Presently, the most formidable challenge I encounter pertains to maintaining both the initial intent and enduring passion as I navigate the realities of the fashion industry.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I will take my best friend to many tourist attractions in Los Angeles. Visit The Broad, an iconic contemporary art museum, to explore its impressive collection. Visit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and its iconic Urban Light installation. Catch a live performance at Walt Disney Concert Hall or attend a show at one of the local theaters. Drive to Santa Monica Beach and start the day with a walk on the famous Santa Monica Pier. Head to Hollywood and take a stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame. ETC. However, what makes Los Angeles most appealing is that it’s a city that blends diverse cultures. It embraces various communities, allowing you to become your favorite self here, even if it deviates from traditional perceptions.

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?
The book “The Moon and Sixpence” inspired me a lot. I also use this book as the inspiration for one of my collections. The phrase articulates the entire narrative concisely: “All over the place was sixpence, but he looked up at the moon.” The protagonist, transitioning from a stockbroker to a painter within the story, mirrors my trajectory, wherein I shifted from accounting to a fashion design major. Letting go of a stable life to pursue everything I passionately love is challenging. This book has given me the courage to embark on my design dream.

Website: www.rubyornotruby.com

Instagram: rubyornotruby626

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/jiarui-cai-ab9754270

Image Credits
Darrel Angeli Carlos