We were lucky to catch up with Capassio Cherry recently and have shared our conversation below.

Capassio, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

For me, my whole life has been about taking risks. Each time I took one, I either came out stronger or succeeded in ways I never imagined. People often think that taking risks gets easier as time goes on, especially after you’ve had some accomplishments under your belt. But in reality, it’s all about building the confidence to take those risks and truly believing in yourself.

Before I started making clothes and getting into design and fashion, I played football. I was 9 years old when I first began, and football became a huge part of my life. But after high school, I faced what felt like the biggest and most humbling risk of my life: I moved to California to live with my Aunt. My goal? To attend junior college and create an opportunity for myself to play football at a big university.

That move wasn’t easy. But I pushed myself, and that challenge led me to achieve my first-ever 4.0 GPA that semester. More importantly, it taught me the power of setting goals and pushing through doubts. Because of that hard work and the lessons I learned, I earned a spot at the University of Washington, where I had the chance to play football at a higher level.

Taking risks hasn’t always been easy, but every step of the way has made me stronger and more confident in who I am and what I can achieve.

Capassio, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Capassio Cherry, and I’m the owner and designer behind my label, Cerise. The name Cerise holds deep meaning for me, and it all began with a simple yet powerful passion: the desire to look, smell, and feel good. When I reflect on what inspired me to pursue design, I trace it back to my childhood. My mother greatly influenced my love for fashion, and her passion for beauty and style shaped my own.

The idea for Cerise took root during my college years, at a time when I was struggling with mental health issues and facing tough decisions. It was in the midst of these challenges that I started thinking about creating clothes. I remember sitting in the dining room with some close friends, discussing the concept of starting a brand. The spark was there, but I found myself stuck on one thing: the name. I wanted something that felt personal, something that would truly represent me and my inspirations.

That’s when my good friend Christian suggested Cerise—a word with multiple meanings. In French, it means “cherry,” and in English, it refers to a deep, dark red color. The name was perfect. It not only resonated with my heritage and my last name, but it also captured the essence of what inspires me—things from Europe, elegance, and my mother’s favorite color. It felt like the right fit, and from that moment, Cerise was born.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part of being a creative is the ability to bring ideas to life and have them connect with others. I’ll never forget the feeling of making my first graphic and seeing it come to life on a hoodie. More recently, I have been able to envision garments in my mind and design them, being able to communicate my ideas and see them physically come to life has been incredible.

The process felt like a moment of clarity—I can relate it to when an athlete works so hard for that one sprint, that one play, or that one moment, where everything you’ve hoped for and worked toward suddenly falls into place. It’s that rush of knowing that everything you’ve envisioned has materialized.

What makes it even more special is when people connect with that work—when they love it as much, or even more, than you do. That feedback and connection are what make the whole creative journey so rewarding.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think one thing that many people don’t fully understand is that getting to where I am today has taken almost three years of hard work, trial and error, and a lot of personal challenges. It hasn’t been a smooth ride—there have been moments of doubt, grief, anxiety, and even depression. Life doesn’t pause while you’re pursuing your passion, and balancing everything—personal life, mental health, and the pursuit of your dreams—is incredibly tough.

If I could advise anyone, it would be to never quit on yourself or your dreams. It’s okay to step away when you need to—for your mental health, for clarity, or just to catch your breath. But no matter what, always keep that spark alive. When you’re ready, come back and give it your all.

There were times when people tried to give me advice or tell me what I should or shouldn’t do. Honestly, in those moments, that advice wasn’t what I needed to hear. I didn’t have the capacity to take it in. So, I had to step away for a while, but stepping away didn’t mean I gave up. It just meant I was taking time to refuel. And I always came back stronger.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cerisegallery.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cerisegallery/

Image Credits

Photos: Cyris Filoteo