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I am Edwin Camacho Rivera and I am a geek Iwere you expecting something else?)

At the same time, I hate outlandish geeky things. Aside from my childhood, clothing and accessories that outright say the name of the character or franchise has been something that has not appealed to me. But at the same time, i enjoy the idea of wearing some pieces.

At the most these days, this is about as much as I would probably do in my free time: a superhero themed t-shirt (and today, worn with a jacket.)

So, what can a geek do to feel sophisticated and let the geek flag fly?

Thankfully, Spoonflower allows one to design their own fabrics and sell them. With that, cool geeky, and yet subtle neckwear pieces can be made. Like this Dalek inspired one.

Or this Tenth Doctor inspired piece.

Recently, I received a request to make an ascot using the print from the television show “Outlander.” While I do not advertise custom orders, I usually oblige. It also creates a fun creative challenge.

The funny story about my experience with Outlander is from reading an email from Lion’s Brand featuring patterns from the show. With the constant things happening in life, I quickly forgot about it, until it resurfaced. Looking up the premise of the show caught my interest.

Okay, I’m sure there are people who will troll me for using a portable record player, but bills and my shop come first before shelling out big bucks. It also goes with the general aesthetic of my antique style dining/sewing room.

Additionally, when I grew up, I remember vinyl records being an everyday item. Many other brands made similar styles of record players and stands decades ago. Today, it is viewed as a premium product. I want to retain some of the old love I had for them growing up before snoots ruined them.

What started my renewed love of vinyl records was a PledgeMusic campaign for one of my favorite singers. With a certain pledge, the album was to be sent as a vinyl record. Wanting to support an artist that has been an influence for me for a long time, I pledged.

These past two weeks have been fun, relaxing, and challenging at the same time. I was on vacation from my day job, sold my neckwear in an event in a grand, old mansion, and was part of a fundraiser for KEEN USA. Along the way, discussion about using plaid came about.

While I am planning to make an Outlander themed ascot very soon (part liking the show and part custom order,) I have always been wary of using plaid prints knowing their origins. What is called tartan and plaid interchangeably has two different meanings in Britain. Plaid is the fabric, while tartan is the print used. And each tartan has a different meaning, being assigned to the person.

What I find somewhat humorous is this piece I made partly for fun. I bought the fabric at a visual prop sale for five dollars, and used it to make a few things innocuously. I later on found out it is the same print used for English royalty.

The Royal Stewart tartan is the personal tartan of Queen Elizabeth II and her subjects. In the 1970s, the same tartan was ripped and used in punk rock fashion to demonstrate their rebellion against society.

Much can be said about Stryper. Or I could keep it condensed. But part of the reason for this blog is to not worry about keeping things brief.

I heard of Stryper for quite some time. But it wasn’t until either 2007 or 2008 when I decided to give them a listen. Inspired by an old friend, I picked up Reborn, and was drawn to them immediately. From there, came To Hell With The Devil, followed by Soldiers Under Command, and watching them live in concert for Murder By Pride/their twenty-fifth anniversary.

While I don’t know what was on their minds back in the eighties, but Stryper has helped blaze new trails. As heavy metal musicians and as Christians who have sung openly about their faith. They have taught me to not be afraid to stand for what is right.

Another thing I have enjoyed from Michael Sweet’s posts is to not take one’s self too seriously. While he is passionate about his work, he has poked fun of the image of the band in the eighties, and have even inserted humor regularly in his posts.

One major moment that stands out in my mind that impressed me of the band was when another band trashed Stryper. Michael waited a few weeks before saying anything. His reason was to not give the other band the attention they were craving. He continued by saying he knew the band back then, but not the current line up, and while he had no animosity, he will focus on his music. Michael was able to show others how to be the bigger person in the face of insults.

The pictures in this post are between my vinyl record collection, and seeing them in concert four times.

Veering away from the shop (and still tired as I type this,) there are moments of feeling overwhelmed...by goodness.

This year, I have been challenged, surprised, and humbled. Less than an hour before leaving work, I received an invitation to attend a fashion show. This is a first for me.

Before going back to the good, allow me to start off by saying that work can be work. And it can have it’s moments of sheer frustration. Outside of Etsy, I am a merchandiser. Sale/Event setup falls under me. Floor moves are done by me, so the workload and pressure from a timeclock can be a bit much. Criticism has been dealt with. Bad relationships have had to be cut off. The integrity  of my work was stolen from.

This year, I was surprised to make employee of the year. When I looked at the area I was in to have lunch and accept my award, I noticed none of the people who attacked me were there. I also learned that as Proverbs 16:7 says “when one’s ways please the LORD, he even makes his enemies at peace with him.” I was able to have a friendly conversation with an executive who previously did me harm, and honestly, I feel no animosity toward him.

A few weeks later, I received an email from human resources about a fun thing that was being planned with Macy’s Make Magic winners, and to suffice to say:

I’m all the way at the end of the video. They loved the idea that I make my own neckwear, and highlighted it. The first two pieces are in my Etsy shop (link is in the heading.)

This one seems a bit awkward/late in speaking of in terms of inspiration, but bear with me. Growing up, I heard of David Bowie, but he never caught my interest. In fact, I will confess to being one of the fans who came to listen to his music after his death.

The cause for listening to the first song from his final album came due to one of my favorite singers (Kevin Max) citing him as a musical influence. Another cause is due to my favorite incarnation of The Doctor (Peter Capaldi) being a big fan of his work, and even having his costume inspired by The Thin White Duke. Upon first watching the video, I was blown away. From the visuals to the lyrics, I was mesmerized. And from Blackstar, came digging to learn of his vast catalog of music.

Helping to start off one of my influences for my shop is a television programme I have come to enjoy greatly: Doctor Who. A good friend of mine is a big fan, and even quoted The Eleventh Doctor in a sermon (the “be magnificent” part in the episode “The Eleventh Hour” if anyone is interested.) Shortly afterwards, I decided to watch it for myself, and was instantly drawn in by the second episode of the new series (most specifically when the Ninth Doctor gives the gift of the air from his lungs.)

Aside from being captivated by the stories, I learned more regarding fashion, geekery, and wanting to do my own take. In future posts, you will see more of it, but I wanted to start off with a big influence.

A major section in my shop are ascots/cravats (whatever you desire to call them.) I find them a fun way to dress an outfit if one does not like having the shirt buttoned up completely. One of the most defining elements of the Seventh Doctor is the question mark themed sweater vest. After considering how to make a piece of neckwear inspired by him, the print I found online came to mind. Geeky. A bit overt, but not too much.

While I had mixed feelings on the Twelfth Doctor at first glance, and I even feel some of the stories were a challenge, I fell in love with this incarnation the most. After falling in love with the coat (and reading an interpretation of rock influence,) I knew I had to make a necktie inspired by it. Buttonholes were sewn in (inspired by series nine,) and the trademark red lining.

Fashion

Nooses

Belonging

It’s such an odd thing how something so small can mean so much. Neckwear has been used to look stylish. It has been viewed as something bad. At the same time, it has meant a place of belonging.

This post will not go into detail just yet on some of the meaning, but rather introduce who I am and the purpose of this blog.

Growing up, I remember seeing my father with a nice collection of suits, neckties, and shoes. It was such a thing for him to be nicely dressed, that I remember how we had to look a certain way when going shopping. And I genuinely liked dressing up then. In my teen years, I fell away to not caring about appearance, and I eventually fell in love with rock music.

Although there are well dress rock stars, I also felt like wanting to be a bit distinct from what is the norm in fashion. Through the years, I fell in love and came to understand fashion. I remember in an interview, a rock singer said that “fashion is art where the body is the canvas.” And it couldn’t be more true. While clothing are a necessity, it is a form of expression.

In recent years, I fell in love with the older style I grew up on, while still loving who I am. And after making my own neckwear on and off for years, I have been encouraged to sell them online. It merges what I grew up with, and what I love.

My shop is ecamachor.etsy.com (similar to my tumblr and Instagram handles,) And what can be expected in the shop are neckwear inspired by different things. Expect something gentlemanly. Expect something rockerish. Expect geeky.

What can be expected on my Instagram account are pictures speaking of the pieces and condensed versions of the inspiration. A few other things will trail in such as merchandising and personal/knitting stuff.

What can be expected here is seeing a much more detailed/behind the scenes stuff about the shop. I also like to knit (which I plan to do a post speaking a bit about the history of that,) so expect to see some of that.