Interview with Creator Director/Fashion Designer of EthniCITY Brand, Dez Handon
Dez Handon is one of the most talented, creative, and authentic men in the fashion business, you would ever meet.
I could not wait to feature him on this Style N Beauty Series-Men Edition!!
Once you read his interview, you will see why, he is a man of excellence in his field.
Tell us about Dez Handon. How did you get started in it fashion Industry?
When I Started in the Industry, I started as a Model. I started doing local fashion shows and modeling in the DC Fashion circuit. I then began traveling along with a buddy who was a popular fashion show producer on the east coast. He began booking me as a model for his shows which begin to open doors. When he needed help with production, I then jumped in and helped him as he helped me. Working with him, I then fell in love with Show production. Hosting shows and doing the bulk of the behind the scenes taught me skills that have helped polish my career. Working behind the scenes during fashion shows we had to use the “the show must go on” motto. When designers didn’t show up, we had to learn to sew and style to put together scenes and segments to keep the show together. There I learned about wardrobe styling and sewing.
What was the influence or the motivation behind creating your brand?
Culture. World Wide culture has been the driving influence behind my company. When I first started EthniCITY we only produced neckwear specialized for Men. It included jewels, beads, simi-precious stones, and practically anything I could drill a hole in and put it on string. I loved traveling as a young man and I fell in love with items I would find locally from side shops and local jewelers. I would use stones that “looked” like they had come from different nations like Morocco, Ghana, Italy, and Asian Nations.
What would you say is your biggest challenge when either styling a client or designing for your next collection?
My biggest challenge is staying true to myself. I’m a fashion lover and enjoy different levels of fashions. While that sometimes motivates me and get me excited about what I will next design, It sometimes interferes with my design process. I find myself tearing up sketches because it looks to close or similar to the next designers look. I like to keep it original, fun, and true to EthniCITY.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to started in fashion design?
Do it! Do it while you’re young! Do it before you get loads of responsibility. Take your chances!
When I started EthniCITY, I woke up one morning and didn’t go back to work. 8 years ago, I called my old job and told them I have to follow my dreams. I was a Case Worker for Baltimore City and I LOVEDDDDDD my job, but it didn’t feed my creative. I invested everything into EthniCITY after I left my job including time, energy, and finances.
Please note- it’s gonna be some hard times and a lot of risk taken, but you have to dive in. I told myself, if it didn’t work in 3-4 years (which I don’t think was a enough time looking in retrospect) I would go back to the workforce. 8 Years later, I’m still here running EthniCITY.
What’s next for Dez Handon?
We’re currently moving into our summer months. We’ve just rapped up and amazing season dropping out new collection in January and Prom season with 23 clients has been exhausting. This summer we’re gearing up for our Summer Events including our monthly Pop Up Shop “Artsy Fartsy Pop Up Shop”. We’re also launching our new event and Summer Series “Color Me Skin”, which incorporates wine, painting, and nude models. September is Fashion Season so of course NYFW is in store for my team. We’re still unsure if we will be presenting yet, but we have a FUN schedule lined up. So get your summer garments ready! Lol
