Today we’d like to introduce you to Dashawn Dekle.
Hi Dashawn, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a self taught designer that taught myself how to sew at around the age of 14 years old. I started out with just altering pants because I was a tall but skinny child. Throughout my childhood, my family put an emphasis on fashion with how to coordinate outfits to what shoes go best with a shirt. This emphasis merged with my creative curiosity created a lifestyle that has transformed my life. Fashion has always been a consistent passion of mine despite me going to college for more technical degrees. It wasn’t until my final year of college that I realized that being a designer was the passion I needed to pursue and take serious. I started doing tons of research to find out what it means to be a designer and start a brand. Instead of waiting for the perfect moment, I started working on developing my brand in 2024 and debut it in 2025. I started with just showcasing my designs and my craft work on Instagram. When I am not on social media, I went to any fashion events I could find to get in person experience of the fashion industry. I would network and present my work to anyone who would be interested and eventually I landed a fashion show at a local Ren Faire which got my brand more attention. From that point on , I went on to do TXFW , the official Texas fashion event, which brought more eyes to my brand presenting me with more opportunities. Today, I am constantly at work building my brand as a business while also developing future collections to show the world.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Following your passion and making it your purpose may be liberating but also comes with its challenges. There has been many times where I felt lost and had to solely rely on faith to get my through difficult times. As a creative, I would not care as much about the business aspect of a brand. I quickly realized that if I wanted any kind of success whether that be financially or recognition, I would have to do the hard task of learning how to run a business . It has been a journey to learn what are the best practices and how to bounce back from mistakes. Although while creativity comes easy to me, there are times where I have a creative block and can not create anything that I feel is worthy. This would sometimes hinder my confidence on being a designer and make me question if I what I am doing is right or even for me. During those moments, I reflect on my journey and remember that I have been through difficult times and have always came out on top and that I always will. I choose to have a mentality that every struggle I have will be an eventual success story. Rather than taking a loss, I view it as a delayed win.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a fashion designer that specializes in fitted garments. Not only fitted to a persons body but as well as their personality. I believe fashion is not just pleasant to look at but also has a story. All my garments that I create is a story that I telling with every stitch and seam. I am know for creating cohesive clean designs and creating unique stylish statement pieces. Pieces that not only serve as a garment but as art that tells a story.
I am most proud of my first collection : Black Swan Celestial Cowboy campaign. I had no experience with creating a fashion campaign and was figuring it out as I did it. I created a story with one garment and was able to expand it into an entire fashion campaign. I created every garment, shot every picture and editing every video to create this overarching fashion universe within my first collection.
I believe what sets me apart is my obsession of details. I have always enjoyed watching movies with little easter eggs in the details that you would miss on the first watch. I carry this ideology in my designs. I believe that fashion can make a statement without being loud. When I create my designs, I plan out every aspect and ensure that every detail has a connection to the story.
How do you define success?
I define success in two ways.
I feel that I am currently successful in the way that I am living out my dream of being a designer. Someone who spends there free time doing what they love which is creating. That to me is success because I choose to follow my dreams despite the uncertainty. Not many people can or would do that.
I know something is successful when people are moved by my creations. Art to me is most affective if it can make someone feel something just by looking at it. That to me is so powerful and I create with this in mind. My goal of this brand is to build something greater than me and to always have a positive impact on other peoples lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theblkswn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blkswn.designs/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587049896033&sk=mentions
