Its probably every fashion addicts dream to own their own fashion line. I know I’ve spent the last few years juggling with the practicality of following my dream of being a designer, or playing it safe and becoming a certified relationship counselor. Through my journey I’ve met tons of people who have had the guts to follow their dreams despite all the doubts, nay sayers, and the woes of the economic times we’re facing; all of them inspiring me to run head first into my dreams. However none of them has inspired me more than Jermaine Dabney. We randomly met on a social networking site, and have been close ever sense. Over the past 6 months Jermaine has shared tons of real-life, hands-on knowledge with me about life as a fashion school dropout and the highs and lows of running a fashion line out of a small apartment on the east side of Chicago.
Dabney, a gritty 27 year old from Chicago, dropped out of fashion school in his second year to start his own line of men's graphic Ts, playfully named, Class Clown. He had a start-up cost of $4,000 and in less than a year has made it all back, twice over. Jermaine was kind enough to carve some time out of his busy day and let me interview him for the blog. We went about this in normal fashion, late night, me snuggled up in bed with my laptop, and he on the other end of the phone doing God knows what, however, the beautiful spirit of Chicago in his background gives me a bit of a hint. I asked him a few basic questions I think anyone looking to get into the industry should ask, and some others just for fun. Enjoy!
Me: “So, tell everyone a little about yourself.”
Dabney: “I Grew up in south side Chicago, my surroundings were kinda crazy, but art was basically my main focus. It kept me out of trouble.”
Me: “When did you know you wanted to do fashion?”
Dabney: “I knew I wanted to design since 8th grade, I had to do it. I started early, in high school I would spend my summers interning at trunk shows to get experience.”
Me: “So, you go to fashion school and two years in you drop out, whats up with that?”
Dabney: “Honestly, I was dealing with some personal issues and I just had to leave school. Im cool with the decision though. Im still fulfilling my purpose in fashion.”
Me: So, explain your brand Class Clown. Who does your brand speak to?
Dabney: “Honestly it speaks to everyone, its all about being yourself and maintaining that youthful spirit, and its also for people who like graphic tees with a clean design.”
Me: “Whats your biggest concern with owning your own grassroots clothing line?”
Dabney: “Being consistent, not over designing, and making pieces that are hot and current, yet classic at the same time. I don’t really have any concerns, I just want to make sure the designs are consistent, and not all over the place.”
Me: “What do you hate most about the business?”
Dabney: “Hate? I don’t hate anything about it, but if I had to pick something it would be that the mind of the consumer changes so much, and you gotta keep up!”
Me: “Where do you see your brand in 3 years? What will Class Clown look like?”
Dabney: “I’d love to open a flagship store in Chicago, and we’re going to be looking collegiate, classic, and clean, but with a bright wash of color.”
Me: “Whats your favorite Class Clown design?”
Dabney: “The Always Classic and the Yacht Club shirt”
Me: “Any advice for anyone wanting to start their own line?”
Dabney: “Be sure you’re consistent in your designs, and always have follow up designs, think ahead. Always get an opinion for a large demographic of people; don’t just let one person tell you something isnt hot, when you haven’t gotten the opinion of others. You also have be patient because sometimes you’ll design a shirt and print a test and it doesn’t come out like you planned.”
Me: “Who is your favorite designer?”
Dabney: “Jeremy Scott because he has basic ideas and concepts and put a twist on them to make them different.”
Me: “Whats your favorite fall trend?”
Dabney: “color blocking …not a big fan of leopard”
Me: “What?!?! You don’t like leopard??”
Me: “Ok, so whats your favorite way to see a woman dressed?”
Dabney: “Anything sexy and simple, I like it when women dress effortlessly, and it doesn’t look forced. I like denim jackets, polka dots, retro sneakers on women.”
Me: Thanks for the interview! Any last words?
Dabney: “Yea, Life is too short, laugh a little…never stop smiling.”
