The Odd Portrait Rock Apparel

About Us

Welcome To The Odd Portrait

We have been designing and creating art and fashion for as long as our imaginations have let us.
The works and creations you see within are all hand-made one of a kind works that we have for so long
just worn ourselves and shared with friends and family.
Our goal was to bring and introduce that to a larger audience as we feel we had a lot more to express.

Rock Apparel Our Way

This fashion project all started from the exhausting searches of malls, boutiques, and speciality on-line stores for those
unique clothing accessories that we longed for that just did not seem to exist anywhere.

So we made our own.

Everything you will find here is 100% authentic in it's design, creation, and materials. No two items are ever exactly the same.
All materials are hand selected then crafted based on how they feel and shape. We take pride in the unique details and
characteristics that are present in the natural contours and construction of the raw material. The small rips, tears, and
what some may characterize as imperfections, we feel tell a story of where the item has come from and what is has in turn become.

The items are not made to look like they rolled off of a factory assembly line or stamped out of a mold and press like thousands of others.
We hope we have made something fascinating and imaginative as possible without appearing generic and ordinary.
A little odd if you will

To Be Free

For the past four years we have been selling and peddling other peoples idea's, creations, and wares across all forms of e-commerce.
Years of playing by their rules, paying their unrealistic selling fee's, we created a home here where we can break that mold to grow and expand.

At the end of the day it became huge item mark-up's and price gouging taking money from your pocket and ours just to line theirs.

Our diverse and eclectic collaboration has been drawn upon and influenced by a myriad of genres and styles. From 80's punk and glam
to 90's grunge and rock n roll. Outdoor music festivals, urban graffiti art, and post apocalyptic dystopian movies have all played their
roles in shaping the within. We really hope this has translated into what you see and we will continue to assault
your fashion senses.

Taking Care of Your Leather Rock Apparel

So we here at The Odd Portrait Fashion and Design

create fun fashion forward rock apparel out of genuine leather and everything is made in the U.S.A. but that wont keep it from getting used and abused during rock concerts, post apocalyptic wasteland travels, and hot date night outs. So I put together this little easy list to help you understand whats on your leather and how you might be able to fix it

Care for your product

Leather can be virtually indestructible if treated properly. With a little bit of care and attention, your new leather will last well into vintage age and your vintage leather will continue to have a long happy life.

The most important things to remember about leather is not to get it soiled, soaked, or let it dry out. Despite the fact that all of these things can be rectified to some extent, it is helpful to not let leather get into such a condition in the first place.

Follow our Rock Fashion and Style Blog

OMG MY LEATHER GOT WET! or ( I was drunk and went swimming with my new gear on )

If leather gets too wet: Dry it slowly. Speed drying leather changes its chemical structure, and you end up with stiff crinkle cut chaos. So room temperature with gentle air works better than direct heater time with hair-dryer. And keep it in the shape you want it to end up.

STAINS ON LEATHER

Even leather isn't adverse to stains, especially if it's vintage and lived a previous lifetime before finding its way into your closet. However, you're not required to live with the stains of its past; most leather stains will come out easily with a little soap and water. It is even possible to remove blood, oil, and wax in some cases.

LEATHER ODORS AND STAINS

Leather can be stubborn about holding on to odors. You may be able to locate a leather specialist or dry cleaner in your area that can remove the odor, but it won't come cheap. Instead try removing unwanted odors at home. There are many safe and gentle methods of removing odors like using baking soda.

ITS SO DRY

Your Leather After A Hard Night Of Partying

If leather gets too dry: Rub something moist into it. Pick a leather dressing or cream, preferably recommended by the maker. Leathers can have paints, waxes, oils and all sorts of things applied to their surface, so you probably want to pick something similar to how it came.

A BIT DIRTY AND GRIMY

If leather gets dirty Just use a damp cloth. You don’t want to be putting any soaps or foreign substances in there.

THE SHAPE OF MY ITEM IS CHANGING!

Leather stretches out, but not back: If you start to overfill a wallet, it will never really return to it’s former taut self. If you stretch a leather bag when wet or very humid, it will move even faster. Just learn to carry the right amount, and this takes care of itself.

STORING LEATHER

Storing leather properly when it is not being used is the most important thing you can do to keep it in its best condition. When leather is stored it should not be in extreme hot or cold, or in excessive dryness or humidity.

Don’t wrap it in plastic going back to that Cryovac analogy, it can help to think of leather as having the life frozen rather than completely killed. Hans Solo still needed a tiny bit of air, and so does your leather. What you’re really trying to stop is any mildew growth, so keep some ventilation going.

WHAT TO AVOID

Although leather is very durable, it is not indestructible. Improper care or cleaning can crack and dry leather skin, remove finishes and colors, or make it too stiff to wear. Keeping leather away from chemicals, heat, and humidity are key. If leather is like skin, think of its care as anti-aging; if you wouldn't put it on your own skin, it probably isn't very good for the leather either.

-Ariana Deats +The Odd Portrait 

Top 7 favorite Rock and Roll Fashion Looks I Created

Top 7 Favorite Rock and Roll Photo Shoots

1. Rock and Roll with Spikes

A throwback to when the bigger the better was true with spikes and fashion when attached to leather.

Black Leather Spiked Purse

2. The Darker Side of Beauty

Is the mask hiding the beauty or is it the other way around? A little vintage meets rock and roll. Skull Ring

3. Rocker Steampunk Attire

The Odd Portrait 

Classic Steampunk feel and vibe. Beautiful stitched corset, and custom leather fashion accessories. Ready to take on a post apocalyptic wasteland or rock concert anytime.

4. Bohemian Rockstar

Ariana Deats

Boho in the desert. Rock attitude all day long. At peace and one with nature and oneself through fashion.

5. Head Full of Spikes

Ariana Deats

Rock and Roll Spiked Leather Fashion. Oh and why not throw some skulls in for fun. Spiked Bracelet

6. Industrial Rock Style

Inspired by 90’s Industrial, steampunk, and leather rock and roll fashion. For festivals, concerts, and burning man

Leather Scarf

7. Rock Style With Leather and Heels

Classic ankle heels, leather statement scarf, and a short black dress. Perfect for outdoor hikes, or indoor mayhem.

Get the Look - Deer Skin Leather Scarf

The Ugliest Purse Ever

The Abominable Purse

In light hearted fairness and in good fun this will be a self deprecating little snippet on my colossal all time designing falls. All hail ( or run and hide ) I present to you : The ugly purse.

So sometimes you make mistakes, It is not entirely a bad thing, often it just is not a mind blowing out of the box crazy good piece. As long as you can salvage some type of life lesson or material from it, not all is always lost right? It happens not everything is a home run. Kobe Bryant has an off night and goes 1-14 once in a blue moon even, and he has won 5 championships. Well I tend to over try sometimes and have a difficult time letting go. Gambling and design do have some commonality, the key to possibly hitting the jackpot may be to know when to stop. Well the ugly purse is a great example of what happens when you don't stop. An abomination to all that is good and beautiful can come to fruition. I got a little heavy handed and over eager with the spray paint.

The Ugliest Purse Ever

It did not stop there unfortunately it was a snowball effect of just one bad decision after another. This bag is only befitting a viking funeral it needs to be sent out to sea and lit on fire. Now I had a hard time at first admitting the atrocity of my creation. Being of stubborn Sicilian descent it took someone to open my eyes and really see the hideousness of what I had just created. All these pieces I create are essentially an extension of myself so there can be a little difficulty in seeing them at face value and since I am fairly, I hate to say and admit it it reallys sucks,I would take a pill in a heartbeat to change it, I can be thinned skinned.  I have to build up everything existing outside of myself due to the lack of inner security and confidence, so when a crash comes I feel it intensely.

Run From Ugly Fashion

Stupid, yes I know and unflattering as well, but I am a work in progress at least I realize it and that can be half the battle, ( G.I. Joe ! ) as I do have some new street chic rocker fashion, any who this is my worst creation. It happens, laugh mock it take it out back and shoot it. Goodbye ugly purse thank you for the laugh may you rest in peace and not haunt anyone's dreams. Run Away , Run Away !

Rock n Roll Fashion Video Quick Edit The Odd Portrait Boutique and Design

Small quick video editing I did featuring some of out designs - A little glam and rock mixed with our odd and unique style -  http://www.theoddportrait.com is a small indie fashion boutique we have created to showcase some of our creations that we couldnt find anywhere else

Independant Fashion Business & The Power of Google Plus

Having been in the fashion industry for nearly a decade managing and running notable brands , I took some time off to have a baby and during that time I was able to focus on my art and designs. I have been designing and painting for as long as I can remember. It has been a passion a driving force in my life. Having my son was some much needed motivation and courage to go ahead dive in take the scary plunge of running my own business. The Odd Portrait was born of a desire and lack of my own odd fashion sense and not seeing or not being able to afford my style. During my pregnancy and being couch ridden for months I got some inspiration from  post apocalyptic films, music and a anti mainstream little streak of rebellion running through my veins. I started out doing a lot of day of the dead jewelry to go with my paintings then slowly evolved it into a little more bold edgy rocker style. It has been a long road of evolution for me as a person and a designer.

I started out as most do and did the whole Etsy thing which for me was not all that successful. So I started over took everything down and decided to focus on building my social media. I was listing on Etsy daily, and had some really great unique products, but it just didn't seem to be reaching anybody. Then I did like probably most all of you do, and research a little bit on how to get some traffic. It seems that every article I read either had ten different lists of advice, or just a re-shuffled version of the last one. In fact it clicked with me, that they were getting clicks by telling people how to get clicks. But what does that really mean though if you are following the same 10 step guideline that millions of others are doing. You are not really moviing forward out of the pack, instead just dragging your feet into a new position or place along with everybody else. So staying with the pack is good, instead of falling behind, but not great. With Etsy you can pay to re-list all of your products every single day , or you used to, to stay ahead in the search traffic, which was one method, among a few others that required paying. But when starting out who has the cash flow to spend double what your product costs on marketing when nobody might buy it? The hole you are digging just gets deeper it seems.

First I started with Instagram. It has been a very good platform and a needed one for my business and exposure as an emerging designer and artist although I have been at it for over 12 years. I am a late bloomer what can I say. Then it all grew from there with my designs ready and website built we launched. You would think that was good right o nooo . There is o much more to it. The things one has to learn to be an e-commerce shop. It is really nearly enough to make one want to quit the ins the outs it is a lot. My modest instagram account was by no way any where near close to being any significant means to my online site nor was myfacebook or my pinterest or my twitter and tumblr even flicker ! I was becoming overwhelmed with how many pieces to the puzzle of online traffic. I need a clone just to manage and post on all of these accounts. After all social media marketing is the best free way to reach people, customers, and clients, right? But then I have to engage, follow back, respond, ensure I dont have duplicate content, oops, I posted that picture already accidentally, damnit.

We will save SEO and all that other stuff for another time. This is one key or pieces to my business puzzle I over looked. I had a google plus account of course because it is run by google I built it up not by much by far this has been the toughest one to do but after I started making some headway as in like 40 followers or so I neglected the fact that it was not a google plus business page my bad. Google plus business page ranking is a determining factor in making sure your business gets seen. After all Google being the giant of search engine traffic that they are, why would it not make sense to start with the easiest and free service they offer. They have to reward those who use their service over another's correct?

Where Google My Business is a great place to start where it really shines is when you have a physical location ( ie : suite number, brick and mortar, physical address ) Google will send you a postcard in the mail. I think they say something like 5-7 business days, but I have always seen them come out much sooner. You enter the code to verify your address and there you go, plugged right in. This helps with locator services, maps, and will really boost your local traffic. Adding in a phone number, hours of operation, and gaining page ranking are all beneficial factors.

By Ariana Deats

Designer Owner of The Odd Portrait 

Rock and Roll Fasion Fusion: Help with Your New Online Boutique and Business

Rock and Roll Fasion Fusion: Help with Your New Online Boutique and Business: Driving Online Traffic For Your Boutique Webstore How is the boutique search traffic working out? The going out there tough? I bet it is....