Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Rupp.
Hi Erica, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I decided I wanted to be an artist “when I grow up” when I was five years old. Although I was originally more into fine arts, I was always drawn to costumes and fashion. I spent countless hours watching classic and modern films and television programs, fascinated by how each era interprets style and character differently.
During my first year of college, at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, I became interested in performance art and took a costume class that really solidified my love of designing. My first costume, though, was something I made for myself in high school—a recreation of a David Bowie / Ziggy Stardust leotard with detached arm and leg sleeves. Bowie has remained a major influence on my style. It turned out that Chicago wasn’t for me but fortunately I was accepted into the costume program at Arts University College Bournemouth, where I ultimately found my passion and learned every aspect of costume construction and design.
I moved to Nashville in 2015 to intern at Manuel Couture. When that ended, I stayed in Nashville and spent several years working in production at an embroidery shop before returning to Manuel’s as a tailor. When Manuel moved the shop to his home and shifted to an appointment-only model, I decided it was time to take the leap and work for myself full time.
I launched Strawberry Moon Cactus in 2023 after more than a decade of freelance tailoring and design. Designed and handmade in Nashville, the brand focuses on custom fabrics, bright colors, and fluffy jackets that help people feel like the star of their own show.
Nashville’s fashion community has been incredibly supportive, and a lot of people have helped open doors along the way. Morelia Cuevas gave me my first fashion show opportunity at the Southern Women in Film and Television Summit’s Sparkle and Shine show in 2023, and Eric Adler later connected me with Fashion Is For Every Body, an organization founded by Alicia Searcy that celebrates inclusive fashion for people of all ages, sizes, identities, and abilities. I showed my work with them in 2024 and 2025.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. Building a creative business takes time, and I’m still figuring out the best way to get my brand in front of the right people. Most of my income right now comes from alterations and repairs, which I’m grateful for, but my long-term goal is to grow the custom clothing side of the business.
Learning how to balance the creative work with the realities of running a business has probably been the biggest challenge. Every step has been a learning process, but it’s also been really rewarding to build something of my own here in Nashville.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a custom clothing designer and tailor. I make made-to-measure garments by hand and specialize in one-of-a-kind pieces that sit somewhere between fashion and costume. Through Strawberry Moon Cactus I also design custom fabric prints and create clothing that’s completely unique to the person wearing it.
I also do a lot of alterations and repairs, which I see as part of the same idea—helping people get more life out of the clothes they already love.
What I’m most proud of is being able to take an idea someone has in their head and turn it into something real and wearable. My background in costume, music, fine art, and tattooing all influence how I design, and I tend to approach clothing as a form of visual storytelling.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Some people might be surprised to learn that the summer after I graduated high school I was mentored at DT’s Tattoo Shop by my very cool art teacher, Lud. The tattoo styles and stencil work I learned there still influence the fabric prints and embroidery I design today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.strawberrymooncactus.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erupp1/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EricaRDesigns/
