Highly Sought-After Designer Barbara Clarke Ruiz Drops Activewear Private Label Collection at Kohl’s

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Serial entrepreneur Barbara Clarke Ruiz is one of the most sought-after apparel designers in the activewear industry.

With over 20 years of experience, her portfolio of bold and versatile athletic apparel and sportswear designs has now inspired the latest Tek Gear capsule collection at Kohl’s.

“I am filled with gratitude and truly humbled by this opportunity,” Clarke Ruiz tells BLACK ENTERPRISE. “This is one of my childhood dreams and if my Mom were still here, she would be so very proud of me.”

The limited-edition collection features vibrant colors and buttery soft fabrics for men, women, and kids to stun in. From body-positive fits to statement-making prints, Ruiz designs “thoughtfully.”

“Whenever I design collections, I hope that people will love them and with Kohl’s, it is no different! This collection will be a vehicle that would allow customers who haven’t shopped in Kohl’s before to visit the store and be introduced to some new fashion-forward items that could turn out to be wardrobe favorites,” she says.

“Thoughtfully designed, I want the collection to inspire and uplift anyone who has ever had a dream and followed it.”

Clarke Ruiz, the CEO and creative director of BCSWIRL, Inc., talked more with BLACK ENTERPRISE about the collection and her entrepreneurial background.

How does your background in branding and consulting give you the leverage to further explore your creative entrepreneurial endeavors, including the Tek Gear capsule collection?

When I pitch to a new client, it is my list of global clients, my portfolio, and my hybrid ability to design across many categories and speak to the market that gives me the advantage.

I was presented with the opportunity to design a capsule collection with Kohl’s by an executive who hired me at another company over 10 years ago. We re-connected on Linkedin and the rest is history—creating new products, new brands, and new collections, while getting to utilize all my transferable skills.

How does your passion for fashion design align with Kohl’s inclusivity and body diversity goals?

Our philosophy is the same regarding all shapes and sizes being beautiful and being celebrated. We agreed that it was important to use a curvier fit for this collection to make sure that every woman was represented. This ultimately culminated in an extensive range of sizes up to 3X.

My vision was clear about not wanting a lot of bodycon silhouettes so, instead, we offer a sports bra and capri, allowing the Kohl’s woman or man to live in the clothes with comfortable soft fabrics and a looser fit. Both of which were a priority for the BCR collection.