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Parading through the bar doors in a striking orange coat is Wayne State graduate student and designer Blair Grinn.
As she sits down, Grinn apologizes for her tardiness, then adjusts her gray tunic dress and fluffs her short black hair, exasperated by an afternoon encounter with one of Detroit's road-enraged motorists. Peering through her black plastic-rimmed glasses, she orders a white beer. And with one sip, this 22-year-old began chatting like an old pal.
Named the "funkiest dresser" in her high school, Grinn had been interested in fashion from a young age.
"It's ultimately selfish how I got into this," she said. "I was making clothes for myself because I wasn't finding anything for myself at the stores."
After working at Jo-Ann Fabrics, where she learned the fundamentals of textile fibers, Grinn enrolled at Wayne State. As an aficionado of the city, she saw Wayne State as a perfect fit - it offered fashion, art and psychology.
During her time at Wayne, Grinn interned at the former Pure Detroit Design Lab - a place where local designers formed a community, creating and showcasing their work to slews of supporters. At the Lab, Grinn learned the dynamics of running an independent design business - a skill that takes many people years to develop.
She was given another opportunity at the Lab coveted by many local independent designers - to be the featured designer. In this role, Grinn produced 12 pieces that were exhibited in her own trunk show.
"The show was more made up as you go," she said. "I didn't have a lot of guidance, and looking back on it, I made a lot of mistakes. But it was nice to have people come out and support your work."
While her collection, consisting of pieces she described as "deconstructive evening wear," had sold well in the show, Grinn learned that designing was not always just about the design.
"When you put out crazy things like that, you realize people will admire it but not necessarily buy it, so you've got to tone it down to make something more commercially appealing," she said.
The Pure Detroit Lab closed last year and with it came the fall of many local designers.
Refusing to quit the field as many of her peers, Grinn continued to participate in local events like ARTrageous and the 100th Anniversary of the Scarab Club. But feelings of hope and inspiration began to dissipate as she witnessed the dissolve of the fashion community.
"In the beginning I wanted to have my own line and own business," she said. "But now I'm realizing that I've seen friends of mine try to start businesses in Detroit, and it's just much more about finances than the art of it."
Sadly, it has to be. With Michigan's economy worsening and industries fleeing at the speed of Flash Gordon, new businesses must stay aware of their finances if they wish to succeed.
Because she's unwilling to leave Detroit, Grinn has faced much struggle in finding work. Sipping her drink, Grinn talked of an uncertain future not with a sense of melancholy, but with optimism and aspiration.
"I used to be very idealistic, like 'I can do anything,' like 'I can start a line,' and it's been hard," she said. "You don't make a lot of money and you're constantly struggling...but I'm not ready to leave Detroit and move to New York."
Finding inspiration in places like the downtown museums of Chicago, Grinn says at the moment she'll work on pieces for herself as a sort of free advertising. We also may see a Web site offering custom designing someday. While custom designing is not Grinn's favorite, as "you can wind up with crazy people," it may be the only way for her to get her name out there.
In fact, Grinn had one of her custom pieces make it all the way to Hollywood.
"I made a shirt for this woman and she loved it and wore it to an Ultimate Fighting Match in California," she said.
Next month, Grinn will intern at a women's facility, where she might work long-term. She may have graduated with a minor in women's studies, but her heart will always lie in design. Flip through her portfolio and you'll find exquisite, unique drawings and photo shoots of her designs that deserve to be in the likes of Vogue and W.
"A lot of people think it's just making clothes and that's it, but it's difficult," she said. "You're not just a designer. You're like a PR person, a marketer and a business accountant. Everything, all in one ball and it's kind of overwhelming.
For now, though, Grinn will continue to live her life one photo shoot at a time.
