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At West & Remount Custom Apparel, our mission is to stitch for the culture—and that means meeting many different cultures where they celebrate. From HBCU Homecomings to Concord’s bohemian Feel Good Fest, every event calls for a different creative approach. Here’s how we get ready to make embroidery that fits each vibe.
Planning Beyond the Obvious
Prepping for an outdoor market is more than picking inventory. I think about details like when the sun sets and how that affects shopping. A summer event that ends at 6 p.m. doesn’t need tent lighting—and it’s hard to sell glowing or light-up items before dusk. For an October festival like Feel Good Fest, cooler evenings and early sunsets mean hoodies and glow-in-the-dark embroidery will really shine.
Learning From Last Year
This is my second year vending at Feel Good Fest, and it’s one of my favorite stops. Last year I set a goal to do at least one pop-up every month. In reality, I ended up with events almost every weekend. I got so busy that I stopped unloading my car between shows, reusing the same setup week after week. It was exhausting and, by the holiday season, I was burned out and losing money.
This year, I made a different choice: fewer, better events. I created a short list of festivals I genuinely love and didn’t want to miss—either as a vendor or a participant. Feel Good Fest was right at the top.
Staying True to the Brand
Every themed event is a balancing act. I have to make sure the merchandise fits the festival and my brand. If I can’t connect with the design, I won’t sell it. I’ve learned this the hard way—like when I attempted a Kappa hand-sign towel without fully understanding the symbol. The result didn’t meet my standard, and I’d rather pull a product than put West & Remount’s name on something that isn’t right. (Although, I will be revisiting that towel now that I have more info.)
Designing for the Feel Good Vibe
Feel Good Fest calls for simple, expressive embroidery that matches its yoga mats, drum circles, and folk-music energy. I’m focusing on bandanas, hoodies, and totes with light stitch counts and festival-friendly motifs. And because the event stretches into the evening, it’s the perfect time to feature my glow-in-the-dark thread—a detail that literally shines when the sun goes down.
More Than a Pop-Up
Choosing the right events and creating pieces that honor both the crowd and my brand keeps West & Remount strong long after the festival ends. Photos, new product ideas, and customer conversations feed back into my online shop, helping me connect with fresh audiences and refine every future drop.
Whether it’s an HBCU homecoming or a Concord drum circle, my goal is the same: luxury embroidery that meets people where they celebrate and remains a keepsake long after the music stops.
