Courtesy of Stephanie Larimer
Stephanie Larimer
“You could sell this.” Those words, spoken by a friend, inspired Stephanie Larimer to start Ruby Francis Rags, a local clothing line that uses 100 percent reclaimed fabrics. In 2012, Larimer, a Kansas City, Mo., native who now lives in South City, launched her Etsy site and started selling her handmade items in St. Louis. Now just two years later, she is leaving her job to pursue the business full-time.
How did Ruby Francis get started?
My mother taught me how to sew at a very young age. I guess that skill was passed down from her mother. I’ve always done that on the side as a hobby. I just never stopped sewing. I would sew things for friends. One day, one of my friends said, “You could sell this.” So I just started making things left and right. The reception was great.
Where does the name come from?
Ruby is my birthstone, and Francis is a family name. It was also my grandmother’s middle name. It just has a nice ring to it. It really fit the aesthetic that I was going for. It’s a very classic kind of name.
What is Ruby Francis’ aesthetic?
I love using prints. A lot of florals, stripes. Any kind of print, but mostly classic and more country. Also, ruffles. I love ruffles! The aesthetic is just charming and simple and classic and comfortable.
Tell me about the items you create.
I use 100 percent reclaimed fabrics. So, simple wares from vintage, reclaimed fabrics. I’ll take a garment and alter it into something else or make it a completely different piece of clothing. I might add notions like lace or doilies or fringe, all those kinds of things to add some flair. I might create something completely from scratch—something that I would wear… A fusion of past and present. My signature pieces are the ruffle tube dress and the ruffle tube top, which is a classic spring and summer construction. It seems to just keep coming back over the years. I’ll use a modern trend and make it so that it fits my personal style and the aesthetic of the brand.
Where do you find your materials?
I really scour the city cache of choice fabrics. I might hit up rummage sales and churches, thrift stores, estate sales. One of my biggest suppliers is the Upcycle Exchange. … It just goes along with my whole mission of using secondhand and reclaimed and vintage fabrics.
Where do you find inspiration?
I am really inspired by my grandmother and my mother. They were very dynamic women, very active in their family. They were also hardworking, and I think that really embodies Ruby Francis. Ruby Francis is the woman I strive to be… I draw from prairie, country, and western fashion, and I like to add a modern twist. I’m inspired by the fashion I see here in St. Louis, both modern and historical. You might see a Victorian flair in my peplum top. There are a lot of Victorian echoes in St. Louis architecture and things like that.
What are your plans for the future?
I’m actually working on creating a men’s line as well as a children’s line. I created some prototypes, and the reception was really good… My goal is always to create clothing for the next season, so it would be great to have some men’s and children’s fashion by fall. I will be moving on from [my job] to focus on the clothing full-time. I’ve been working in museums and galleries for awhile now, and I feel like I’ve done what I can do… There’s quite a demand [for Ruby Francis], and I can’t keep up. It’s time to jump off and take that risk.
Meet Larimer at the CWE Flea on Saturday, August 2 or at the Thirsty Thursday pop-up indie craft market at Urban Chestnut Brewing Co. on August 14. Her line is also available at local shops Parsimonia, Scarlett Garnet Jewelry, and The Foundrie.
