Raven Anderson shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Raven , we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
As cliche as it sounds. How you start your day determines what kind of day you will have. Although we all have days that are not the best, I set my intentions first thing in the morning to be the best version of myself everyday.
The first 90 minutes of my day is filled with preparation & gratitude. I tend to grab coffee to get my energy levels up, then release any tension from my mind, body & spirit with morning yoga & meditation. During the session I take the time to be grateful for how far I’ve come, the people in my life & set my expectations & purpose for the day.
I follow up with an outdoor workout to get my body moving & journaling after to release new ideas & thoughts. After getting ready for the day & grabbing a bite to eat, my work day begins with a successful start.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Raven Rajean from Bastrop, Texas & I am a designer, stylist & creative. Like many artists & creatives, I draw inspirations for everyday life. One of my many pleasures is traveling & seeing different parts of the world while experiencing new people & cultures. Discovering new worlds within mine allows me to create in a diverse way while still connecting to my home base. My love for sneakers & streetwear often collide with the dreams of who or what I wanted to become when I was younger.
Creating hand made pieces of garments is a skill that’s not too far from home. As I grew into my adult years I discovered that this was something that seems to be in my DNA or “written in the stars” for me. Learning that my grandmothers on my mother & father’s side had both held the skill of sewing in their hands added a cemented foundation to my passions.
As I obtained my Bachelor’s Degrees in Fine Arts of Fashion Design, finding my lane or “niche” almost felt impossible. My desires outgrew my skillset at the time. As I continued to learn my machine & myself, I discovered that there was a method to the madness. There is no right or wrong way in being a creative, & having a diverse mindset allowed me to branch out into spaces that have propelled me forward. In short-term, I am a Luxury Streetwear Designer for my brand “Raven Rajean” with my eyes wide open.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
A part of me that I feel has served its purpose in life is being a “people pleaser”. In the year of 2025 I have turned 30 & finally decided that it is okay to be selfish, but in a way that is beneficial. There is no doubt that I have climbed into new heights from the support around me & the demanding work environments, but as I grow older I understand that putting my mental, physical & emotional health at the forefront will result in a better outcome not only for myself but for others around me.
Sometimes that means saying no. Switching gears was extremely difficult at one point, the feeling of guilt grew over me as I’ve built barriers for my life. Although I have lost some connections due to the choosing of self, those who understood the process applauded me for taking steps in the right direction.
Of course this doesn’t mean that I’m not there for my family & friends, this is just a reminder to myself & others that you cannot help anyone around you if you don’t put yourself first.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There was a quite a few times where I almost gave up. Each time I decided that designing or creating just wasn’t in the cards for me & I was over it, it felt like my mind was saying one thing but my body moved towards the machine or a sketch paper. As the world turns & life happens, it’s almost too easy to throw in the towel. There were times when I sat & thought about my backup plan & tried to be okay with not living a creative life, but that just seemed too miserable. I’ve always decided that growing through the emotions & tussling with my ideas was a lot less strenuous than giving up on something that I I breathe everyday.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
Every industry has its stories but the Fashion Industry is known to have rose colored lenses. Unfortunately it’s not glamorous & filled with runways & photo shoots. It’s A LOT of work! It’s taking the time to be a sponge & willing to learn different sewing techniques, fabrics, bodies, forms, machines, patterns, trends & measurements.
It feels as if it’s far fetch but creating garments is very obtainable. Like anything you decide to put effort into, it takes discipline & determination. Often times we think that all the ducks have to be in a row & you have to have all the funds, fabrics & studio time but all it takes is to keep going & to put yourself out there. Everything will fall into place if you let it.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I satisfy myself when I’m doing for myself. I mean this in the most selfless way possible but when I am taking care of me & leading on a path where I feel drawn to I feel peace. When I take time to myself & leaning a healthily balance of work, life self I feel at peace. When God & the Universe lay it all out for me after I’ve given my all to certain avenues I feel at peace.
It’s not consistent & life always has its roller coaster but as I grow into who I am supposed to be, I feel peace in letting go of certain things that are not for me in order fall into what’s meant for me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ravenrajean?igsh=MTk1OTlrdWR0MGtrNQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/profile/in/raven-anderson-64486a11b?trk=contact-info
Image Credits
Raeeography, Semaj Imagery
