Dawn Pilpel shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Dawn, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
What’s most misunderstood about being a business owner is that the work ends when I walk away from the studio—it doesn’t. My brain never clocks out. I’m designing, marketing, handling logistics, building community, managing finances—the full artist‑entrepreneur suite—24/7. People see the finished piece, maybe the pop‑up stall, but they don’t see the hours spent planning, posting, shipping, styling, photographing, and pivoting.
It’s incredibly rewarding to see someone wear a jewelry piece I designed or see a print on their wall—but it’s equally exhausting. If you follow my journey there’s a constant motion behind my brand: the creative process, the travel, the marketing, and the hustle.
iWEAR …do you? is more than fashion or art—it’s an ongoing performance of individuality, boldness, and unfiltered expression that never pauses.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m an artist who thrives on exploring different mediums—drawing, digital art, and designing jewelry, especially bold industrial pieces. My work is all about creating moments of pause in people’s busy lives. I want my art to spark thought, evoke emotion, and, most importantly, empower people to feel confident in their own skin.
My brand, iWEAR …do you?, is deeply personal. I launched it in 2001 with the slogan “grab life by the nuts”—a fearless, unapologetic mantra that reflects the energy behind everything I create. Each design is made to help people stand out, embrace their individuality, and carry that boldness with them every day.
At the heart of iWEAR is sustainability with attitude. Every piece is made in small batches using durable metals, intentionally designed to last. There’s no fast fashion here—just handcrafted, industrial-inspired jewelry that rejects waste and celebrates identity.
This brand isn’t just about what you wear—it’s about how you show up.
It’s a challenge, a statement, a connection.
To be seen. To be strong. To be entirely yourself.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Honestly, the same person I am now—just a little less loud about it. I tried to play by the rules for a while. I colored inside the lines, tried to fit the box, even thought about living that so‑called ‘normal’ 9‑to‑5 life. But deep down I knew that wasn’t me.
Before the world started handing me its script, I was already breaking it. I was the kid who saw art in the ordinary, who wanted to build something raw and real with my own two hands. That part of me never went away—it just got louder.
That’s what “grab life by the nuts” is about. It’s not just a slogan, it’s a manifesto: don’t wait, don’t water yourself down, and don’t let the world decide who you get to be. I create because I have to, I live outside the lines because I can’t breathe inside them.
So who was I before the world told me who I had to be? The same person. Just a little wilder now, and unapologetically grabbing life by the nuts every single day.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes. All the time. That’s the truth about being in a creative field. You’re constantly putting pieces of yourself out there to be judged, hoping they connect, hoping they make someone feel something. And when they don’t, or when the noise in my own head gets loud, it can feel crushing.
What I do isn’t a necessity—not like food or shelter—though I’d love for art to be seen that way. So every day I have to show up with confidence, energy, and pure determination to create something that makes people stop. If they love it, amazing. If they don’t, I have to take that sting and flip it into fuel.
That’s exactly why “grab life by the nuts” is my mantra. It’s not just a catchphrase—it’s my survival code. When I hit those moments where I’m ready to throw in the towel, I grab life by the nuts, dig in harder, and remind myself why I started. Quitting would be easy. Creating anyway? That’s power.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Pretty much, yeah. What you see is someone who cares about people, loves hearing their stories, and wants to understand what makes them tick. That’s all real.
The difference is the private version of me doesn’t put it all out there. I keep my circle small. Trust and respect aren’t just words to me—they’re the price of admission into my real life.
Public me is social, loud, and out there building this brand. Private me? I’m perfectly happy alone, creating, traveling, and recharging. Both are real—one just lives with the volume turned up.
That’s why “grab life by the nuts” is more than a slogan for me. It’s about showing up as yourself, no matter who’s watching, and owning every side of who you are without apology.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
These days, it’s the value of real relationships with real people. We’re living in a world that’s trading human connection for screen time, and honestly, it scares me a little. Social media is great for reach and visibility—but it will never replace looking someone in the eye, sharing energy in the same room, or building trust face to face.
I’ve lived alone in different cities. I’ve traveled and worked solo. And every single time, the moments that mattered weren’t the posts or the likes—they were the reunions, the friends who turned into family, and the clients who became lifelong connections.
In business and in life, a real support system of real people is priceless. I think a lot of the world is forgetting that, but I refuse to. My work may live online, but my heart and my brand are built in those raw, human moments you can’t fake through a screen.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.iweardoyou.net
- Instagram: @iweardoyou
- Facebook: @iweardoyou
