Meet Randi Barry | Fashion Designer

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

Hi Randi, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I love what Liz Gilbert says in her incredible book ‘Big Magic’ (I highly suggest anyone pursuing a creative career should read it) – creative living is a path for the brave. She also said “Do not rely on your creativity to pay your bills.” I always want to take care of my creativity – not the other way around. That way it does not get suffocated and die from the pressure of needing to be worth my time every day. Unfortunately fashion is a ‘Rich Kids’ game, which means that not everyone who has the talent for it will be able to gain the skills or connections to create a brand. This is why I spent 10 years working onboard yachts in order to save up to go to Fashion School. During my time onboard yachts I was also fortunate enough to work with the kinds of haute couture and fine garments that I never would have seen otherwise. Through garment care as a stewardess I got to see the construction and materials of high end pieces and how the ultra wealthy really dress. Not in flashy logo’d items, but in more demure, high quality pieces made by ‘Quiet Luxury’ brands whom only the fellow wealthy would notice. I once saw a girl in front of me at passport control wearing the exact same outfit as me; white teeshirt, black sweater over the shoulders, ball cap, black ponte knit trousers, white ‘keds’ – however the difference between my fit and her head-to-toe YSL look was at least $6,000.

Money, jobs, friends, come and go. But time is the most valuable asset of all. You can never get it back once spent. I just want to get to the end of my life and make sure I have no regrets. I feel that life is about following your passions even if they don’t work out, enjoying the ride and taking time to experience joy. I do believe that the Arts are a sign of a healthy and flourishing society. When people have time to create and contribute to our world through their mediums, it’s a good litmus test that our communities are thriving. And fashion is art.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I work in a few mediums from painting and drawing and fashion illustration to graphic design but currently I create 3D garments through pattern making and draping. The clothes I love to make are made from natural fibers such as linen, lyocell/rayon, organic cotton, silk, etc. They are all naturally breathable fabrics, biodegradable and perfect for warm climate destinations.
What sets me apart – and any artist apart I feel – is that nobody has ever been you. No matter what if we all sit down to paint a fruit bowl, ever iteration will be different. And I try to remember that often. Nobody’s ever been me before so what I bring into the world will be uniquely my point of view.
I’m most proud and excited about seeing my clothes on people and the way their faces light up when they wear my garments. How my clothes make them feel. I focus not only on making women feel beautiful, but comfortable as well.
Was it easy? Absolutely not. I don’t like to ascribe to the mindset that life is hard and has to be hard. Because I truly believe that is a self fulfilling prophecy. I strive to have a positive but realistic outlook. Success in order to achieve – or maintain – requires discipline in some form. Life can be challenging – so it may as well be challenging in the direction you want to go. For every action there is a consequence.

What has helped me overcoming challenges and the lessons I’ve learned along the way is to be disciplined about your life. I have to wake up early, I need to exercise for my mental health, it clears my head. Journaling and keeping track of goals is so encouraging to look back on how far you have come – especially when you start feeling doubtful. Having strong boundaries with time and people. I really try to keep toxic people out of my life. Although I have a lot of acquaintances, I have a very small friend group. I don’t let people waste my time – it’s the most valuable asset any of us own. I grew up in chaos and I used to create chaos to feel normal because that’s what I knew how to operate in. But building a life devoid of that means boundary setting and knowing where you end and other people begin. Letting people in through the gate not letting them hop the fence into your life. They say if you are the smartest person in the room – you are in the wrong room.

In conclusion, what I would love the world to know about my brand and my story is that if a little girl from a tiny town of 30,000 people on an island in Canada who came from a broken home and was on her own working and in and out of foster care since 15 years old — can sail the entire world over, from Galapagos Islands to the Black Sea, and eventually start her own fashion brand… Then what is stopping you from taking one step towards your dream? Let us not get to the end of our lives with any regrets. Be your own hero. Save yourself. And if you need some wardrobe inspiration for your next warm weather vacation, check out my shop.

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?
I would say the best way to enjoy South Florida is by water. Whether hitting the beach or taking a boat ride up the intracoastal, stopping along the way, grabbing food at ‘Le Tub’, or throwing down an anchor for a dive or a snorkel. Fishing is good as well. A lot of my friends are Yacht Crew so whenever they are in town we are usually in Fort Lauderdale at Louie Bossi’s, Unit B, Rhythm and Vine or The Wilder. My absolute best thing to do with friends when they visit is cook on an open fire in the backyard.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to shout out my sweet husband who is so inspirational to me in the way he lives his life doing his passion as a Yacht Captain, and also encourages me every day to pursue my dreams with reckless abandon. And my incredible girl gang of friends without whom I never would have been able to accomplish what I have so far. I’m so grateful we all take turns having our moments and being there for each other.

Website: https://www.bravoxromeo.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/randiatsea

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bravoxromeo

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/randibarry

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@randiatsea

Image Credits
Makayla Casey Photography