Ten Minutes with Myrda and Eloisa of Revelation by M.E.

Wow! Tonight’s outfit is simply fabu! Too bad no one can actually see what you’re wearing behind that giant tote stocked with all the stuff you had to bring to transform your day outfit into your evening one, including, well pretty much, a whole new outfit! And that’s what’s so genius about the body-conscious Revelation by M.E. line by It-girl designers Myrda Monasterial and Eloisa Serrano.

Each one of the dynamic duo’s flirty frocks transforms from day to evening in a flash. Wear the Eucina dress for your nine to five then simply ditch the demure pleated collar for some one-shouldered smolder or flip the Abby shift inside out to morph from prim to party print-cess in a flash. Read on to learn more about this uber-talented twosome.

Oligoville: In five words or less, Revelation by M.E. is. . .

Myrda/Eloisa: Transitional clothing, day to night!

Oligoville: How would you describe your ideal customer?

Myrda/Eloisa: The Chic It Girl on the run. She’s a city dweller that lives out of her tote bag or car because she’s heading from work to events and elevating her social life.

Oligoville: How’d you end up a designer?

Myrda: I have always wanted to be a designer and dress up people (yes, men included) probably ever since I picked up a Barbie. So after numerous degrees I went after my dream and it led me here with this awesome career.

Eloisa: Ever since I was in first grade, I dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. My mom saved my journals from school where I would write what I wanted to be when I grow up–a fashion designer.

Oligoville: How/when did you launch your brand?

Myrda/Eloisa: We launched our first collection for Spring 2009. In August of 2008 we basically declared we were creating our own fashion company. We went to L.A. and bought fabrics and then began making our Spring 09 line, and the rest is history!

Oligoville: I really like that on your site the clothes are styled for both day and evening. How did you come up with the idea to make the clothes do double-duty?

Eloisa: Myrda and I ran out the office door one day to a bathroom stall to change for a cocktail party. I lived in San Mateo, a suburb south of San Francisco, and Myrda lives in San Francisco, and neither of us had time to run home to change. So out of our huge bags we pulled the extra set of clothes, and we changed in a public bathroom. As we were stumbling around we thought “Wouldn’t it be great to just have a dress we can flip around to be ready for the evening!” Thus the concept for Revelation by M.E. (RbME) was born.

Oligoville: Who and/or what inspires you?

Eloisa: I’m inspired by our targeted customer, as I witness women run to catch the train, head from work to happy hour, and sip a cocktail at night while still in their work clothes. I pay attention to what they wear and try to figure out what they may want to have in their closets. I am also inspired by architecture, art, and couture on the runway.

Myrda: Celebrities, major designers, and “It” girls inspire me. I love the pace of trends so I definitely follow that. I also love to watch music videos. They are a great source of fashion. I love underground trends like urban street wear and harajuku. I basically take pop culture and mix it with “real culture,” which is what women really want (comfort, durability). I like to think my designs are shaken, not stirred!

Oligoville: What’s 24 hours like in your life?

Eloisa: Ring ring goes the phone, click click on the keyboard, sound of rulers crashing together while making patterns, photoshop running slow while creating prints, shopping for accessories, setting up photo shoots, booking models. We make sure to take time for ourselves to keep life balanced since it is no longer a 9-5 [schedule].

Myrda: I wake up and get ready for my usual 12-hour work day. I still have a part-time job as an assistant designer for another local design firm, so my days are random, hectic, but nonetheless fun and interesting. I work–whether by designing, sketching,choosing fabrics, orpatternmaking–and then check my email and voice mail. I am almost always on my computer and, when the rest of the city is winding down, I am on the go with meetings, meetings, meetings. Eloisa and I are notorious for always being out on the town. Mostly for business, but sometimes some pleasure too! What’s the point in working hard if you can’t play at the end? We also travel a bit, so if it’s with in our “24 hours” we might be on our way to L.A. or Vegas. Oh! And in between all that, I pepper in eating, sleeping, and showering!

Oligoville: What’s in your closet? What are you wearing right now?

Eloisa: In my closet I have RbME, jeans, open-toe shoes, and accessories,accessories.Right now, I am wearing an off-the-shoulder top by RbME from our Spring 2010 collection paired with a mini skirt and tights.

Myrda: What I am wearing right now is an RbME top (spring 2010) a different color tank under (I love to wear layers), jeans, and boots (I am known to be a bit of a boot gal).I’ve also got my Dior glasses that make me look smart and Amrita Singh textured bangle bracelets and a Hurley hoodie, just in case it rains again.

In my closet are RbME separates and dresses, jeans, jeans, jeans! BEBE anything, tank tops and random dresses! Oh! and VESTS–I love vests and tank tops. Graphic tees, leggings, and every jacket imaginable. In my other closet are boots, boots, boots, pumps, flip flops and Vans. Maybe one pair of open-toe Dior strappies and a pair of Prada wedges.

Oligoville: What’s in your bag?

Eloisa: I’m carrying a black tote with gold hardware, purchased at a boutique on Melrose Avenue in L.A.

Myrda: I have a Louis Vuitton Cabas Messo tote: I have my wallet, cell phone, random bills, Ipod, keys, random notes, stamps, a letter, fliers from our fashion show, business cards, make up, a pen, and my lunch (instant soup) that I still have not had the time to eat. Oh! and a BCBG fall 09 catalouge.

Oligoville: Tell us about some unexpected setbacks you have faced since starting your business and what you learned.

Myrda/Eloisa: We have been very fortunate; so many friends and family have helped us get to were we are now. The biggest setback has been when we purchased our first production fabric, and it had to be stored in my closet. We had to carry upstairs more than 35 rolls of 40+ yards each to my little storage room. We placed all the rolls in the closet then realized we had to take them back out unwrap them and count them to make sure we received the correct yardage and colors. We learned to think ahead before acting on anything and that it is okay for us not to try and do it all, it’s okay to ask for help!

Oligoville: What has been the most rewarding part of your career?

Eloisa: Watching customers glow and smile when they try on our clothes.

Myrda: Same here, I love it when customers just absolutely go gaga over our clothes. They think that it’s like as great as sliced bread!

Oligoville: Tell us where you expect to see your business in the next five years.

Myrda/Eloisa: To give on-the-go women an outlet or solution to their everyday needs. We want to keep them comfortable, stylish, and, most important, versatile so they can stay on the go!

Oligoville: Any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Eloisa: Work in the industry first because you learn things that you do not necessarily gain while in college.

Myrda: Everything will come in due time; just breathe and enjoy the ride. Fashion is hectic, but you don’t have to be! If you really want it, work hard for it and, in the end, it will all work out. I promise!

Oligoville: What’s on your playlist right now?

Eloisa: Gregory Isaacs, Pittbull, lady gaga, Beyonce, Santana

Myrda:”Piles” by Becky;’Sexy B**tch” by Akon and David Guetta; “Do You Remember” by Jay Sean and Sean Paul; “Patron Tequila” by Paradiso Girls featuring Pit Bull; “Jump” by Florida; “Already Gone” by Kelly Clarkson; “Sweet Dreams (beautiful nightmare)” by Beyonce; “Shake My” by Ester Dean featuring Chris Brown; “Starrstrukk” by 3oh!3; “Now I’m That” by Livvi featuring Pit Bull; “Outta Control” by Baby Bash; “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey; “I Wanna Know What Love Is” by Mariah Carey; “Love Drunk” by Boys like girls; “Crazy Possesive” by Kaci; “Hotel Room Service” by Pit Bull featuring the Pussycat Dolls; “3″ by Britney Spears! (I ALWAYS have Britney!) This is my playlist this week–check them out. They’re great wake-up songs!

Oligoville: Any last words?

Eloisa: Become a fan or friend of Revelation by M.E. on Facebook and Myspace

Myrda: and Twitter!We love what we do, and everyone should too! Never settle. Follow your heart! And don’t forget to live life with a smile everyday!