Biography

My journey started about the time I graduated from high school. Friends would drop their jeans off to me in my garage and I would sit there and just make crazy designs. I did this for a while, but of course it wasn’t paying the bills, so I stopped and just started working regular jobs. I worked several good paying jobs, but deep down I knew it wasn’t what I wanted. Two years ago, I got laid off from my last job and it was then when I said, “It’s now or never.” At that point I had a newborn baby on the way, with no job and only a dream to make a reality. I knew it was a big risk, but there’s no reward without risk. I started doing the studded python hats and God blessed me with a lot of sales and onto new ideas. 

What’s the inspiration behind your motto, “Look as you Feel?”

A lot of people are scared to dress a certain way, due to what others would say. In this world, you’re not anything unless your different. Fashion says “me too.” Style says “me only.” What other way to show the world what type of person you are without using words, rather your attire? 

What are the specialty pieces in your collection?

Most of my pieces adorn exotic skins such as python, for example. Python hats have been selling the most and it’s what I’ve been doing the longest, along with wallets, bracelets, gloves, etc. I just started doing sneakers wrapped in python skin, and it’s been a huge hit. People send me their sneakers for me to reinvent and have a choice to purchase a matching trunk for storage.

How do you begin to create or reinvent them?

Before I start any piece, I visualize what colors would bring out the details of the piece and what would make it pop without taking away from its originality. I tend to go with daring choices that no one would think of.  I always want to be sure if someone wants something different and wants to stand out, they come to me!

 

Which celebrity or public figure would you like to style most? And why?

If I could style a celebrity, it would be no one other than Kanye West.  I don’t see him as a celebrity. To me, he’s an inspiration, a role model if you will. He’s someone who definitely uses my motto “Look As you Feel,” and that right there would make for an intense photo-shoot. 

You used a Kanye West video in your “Biography…” What does this mean to you?

I love this video for 2 reasons. The first reason, Kanye West is in it and the second reason is it features my favorite quote which can be heard in the video.  I feel like this quote was dedicated to me, it says everything about me. Growing up and even now till this day I get called “crazy” for my ideas. I was always a “misfit” as far as not wanting to blend in with everyone’s style taste. Like I said, in order to be anything in this world you need stand out and be different.

“Here’s To The Crazy Ones. The misfits. The rebels. The trouble-makers. The round pegs in the

square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules, and they have

no respect for the status-quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify, or vilify them.

About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the

human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius.

Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world - are the ones who do.”

How has modeling broadened your horizon?

Modeling was another way to get my fashion ideas in pictures. Modeling was always something I wanted to do from a young age, but my height was an issue with most high-end designers. I did a lot of fashion shows, photo-shoots for independent clothing lines and billboards. It’s funny now because I get to model my own pieces.

How would you describe your personal style?

My personal style I would describe as daring and different.  You know, most people have what I call “manneuqin style.” They walk into like a Barneys and just buy what’s put together on a mannequin, but just because you spent a lot of money on an outfit doesn’t mean you have style. Style describes YOU, not what some 9-5 worker puts on a piece of plastic. 

What’s next?

My plans are to start doing clothing now. I started with accessories to get feedback on my work. Now that I know my work sells, I can’t wait to show the world my clothing ideas.