Founded in late 2011 in Chicago, Ready-to-Stare draws on Dalessandro’s experience curating ‘90s clothing with THE SOMETIMES STORE and her training as a jeweler and metalsmith while studying at Loyola University Chicago and Lillstreet Art Center. The brand relocated to an Atlanta-based studio in Fall 2013.

As a trained metalsmith, Dalessandro uses traditional metalworking techniques such as sawing, forming, soldering, drilling, riveting and metal coloration to bring the collection to life. In addition to working with metals such as copper and brass, Dalessandro incorporates plastic dinosaurs, repurposed leather and industrial-grade chain to craft harnesses, earrings, necklaces and rings.

The brand seeks inspiration from ‘90s fashion icons such as Aaliyah, RuPaul, Lil Kim, Selena, and Halle Berry in B.A.P.S. The jewelry is showcased in lookbooks alongside vintage clothing sourced by Dalessandro.

Above all else, the Ready-to-Stare customer is confident. As the name suggests, the Ready-to-Stare woman wants to stand out from the crowd and seeks next level fashion as a release from the everyday mundane; she wears a chain headpiece to her desk job or green dinosaur earrings to the opera just because she has the confidence to do so.