When it comes to fashion, every piece has its own voice. Whether the collection is depicting a period in time or even a message conveyed through the fabric, fashion is the outlet for us to be heard. Recently I was blessed with the opportunity to interview Zayden; a talented designer with a great eye for fashion.
His work has been featured with major brands such as BRAVO TV, Fashion Bomb Daily, Teen Vogue, ESSENCE Magazine, and even OWN Network. During our encounter, we discussed the presence of African American male designers, long term aspirations, and the meaning behind his trend. Not to mention, his definition of urban avant-garde.
JT: Before we start this dialogue, I want to say thank you for your time and sitting down with True Urban Culture. If you were not a designer what would be your career and why?
Zayden: Thanks for having me. If I was not a designer my career choice would be a professional dancer. Not only am I classically trained but I was selected to dance with Beyonce on her Wimbledon tour.
JT: What’s your definition of true urban culture?
Zayden: True urban culture is the authenticity of the African-American culture and believing in the culture. True culture means being real to and with yourself.
JT: Not only is your collection dope, but it’s very loud with a strong tune. What do you want consumers to grasp from your clothes?
Zayden: My collection is a clear visual of the misrepresentation of ethnic people. It deals with social issues such as slavery, police brutality and even segregation in the fashion industry because I am a black designer. The perception of the United States is a tough pill to swallow and my clothes reflect that. I was the ONLY Black male designer that graduated in my class. As a male designer of color, you are not taken seriously and overlooked. That’s why I wanted to create my own lane Urban Avant-Garde.
JT: What inspires you to design amazing clothes?
Zayden: The women in my life such as my mom, aunt, and grandmother. Not only did they possess style and creativity, but lacked resources and still developed masterpieces.
JT: So what can we expect from you in the future?
Zayden: I enjoying moving in silence LOL! BUT definitely more promotion for my brand and a new collection.
Photos By: Chris Millsapp
Creative Director: Antonio Godfrey
Interviewed By: Jarius Tommillson
