Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Daniel Belardinelli. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Daniel thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

My name is Daniel Belardinelli. I am a painter, artist and designer behind the clothing brand IRREVRANT. In 2012 I made the decision to leave the practice of law and devote myself entirely to art (painting). I was a partner in an established law firm and had a successful practice. My areas of practice were mainly in the criminal defense and civil litigation areas. Although my legal practice was very intense, it was also both intellectually stimulating and financially rewarding. Switching gears and going into the art world while not having any prior experience was considered by my family, friends and colleagues as being completely insane. However, I did it and never looked back.

Although I have no formal training as an artist, I still believed in myself. Not knowing a thing about the art world or how to get a show or secure a dealer, I did the only thing I always did in life: I worked my ass off, did research, asked a lot of questions & hustled. I also never took ‘no’ for an answer. I was also very lucky in that an important dealer saw my work and offered me my first show. That show in a sense opened more doors which led to more shows & securing dealer(s). It’s important to note that ‘luck’ is an important component in regard to how things turn out for you in life. I was very fortunate to have luck on my side in that I was able to meet the right people who could help me.

Presently I am the creative designer behind the fashion brand IRREVRANT. Yet another lane change in my life’s journey. Once again, I have absolutely no experience in fashion or design, however, it’s not an obsticle. It’s my art that has afforded me this opportunity, and once again, luck. IRREVRANT is not just a fashion brand, it’s also a philosophy and way of life.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am the creative designer behind the fashion brand IRREVRANT. Yet another lane change in my life’s journey. Once again, I have absolutely no experience in fashion or design, however, it’s not an obsticle. It’s my art that has afforded me this opportunity, and once again, luck. IRREVRANT is not just a fashion brand, it’s also a philosophy and way of life.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Like I said prior, I got into the art world by and luck, and I guess a little bit of talent.

I’ve always been a disciplened person, even when I was a kid. Because I played a lot of sports, it was always important for me to train and excel in whatever sport I was involved in. In my early 20’s I got very into long distance running. To be a marathon runner you have to be disciplined. I was also very disciplined as a student. Discipline and perseverance go hand in hand when you are in law school and practicing law. In art and creating a brand as well.

My art career was the catalyst for my involvement in designing the apparel for IRREVRANT. IRREVRANT is a brand that is based in Florence. All of the clothing is made in Italy.

I think the main thing that sets me apart from others is that I really do not care about what other people think. I’ve always had that trait, and, I believe it’s helped me in many ways. I’m also a very curious person and am very interested in learning from others. Additionally, being a good listener has benefited me profoundly. I remember when I graduated from law school and was working in the music industry I was pitching a deal to the manager of Aerosmith. I disinctly remember being told by the manager that he was impressed by my presentation, but that he was not interested. I was crushed, However, , I still persisted and continued with my pitch. And then he told me that I needed to learn how to listen better. That if I learned that skill it would benefit me in life for various reasons. To say that I was livid is putting it mildly. No one had ever said this to me. It wasn’t something I learned in college or law school. Although I did not like this advice, I did keep it in my mind & ultimately tried to become a better listener by being quiet & really listening to what others were saying and thinking before I responded. Now over 30 years later, I recently brought this up to the manager & told him it was ‘the’ best thing I ever learned thanks to him. Listening has benefited me profoundly. Learning how to listen well is a skill. Unfortunately it is not taught in college or law school, but rather a skill you either learn or perfect or don’t. I believe being a good listener greatly benefited me as an attorney, and as an artist & designer as well.

I’m extremely proud of the brand we created. I’m also stoked that It was my art that was the inspiration behind IRREVRANT.

Although it’s a possibility that ‘some’ non-creatives may find my journey odd, I believe there may be others who may very well applaud me for what I did. Yes, it’s highly unusual for someone who was a partner in a law firm, who’s doing well financially to just walk away from the practice & go into a career as an artist. However, if one is to follow their life’s passion, that is the only way you can do it. Life is short, so, you might as well do what you really want to do and have as much fun as you possibly can. I’m living proof of that.

I’m an avid reader, so, my recommendation is to read as much as you possibly can and to read about things that are alien to you. I like to do this because you learn about different people, places and things and never know where I will get an interesting idea(s) and/or inspiration.
Three books that greatly interested me and my career are: ‘The Inner Game of Tennis, ‘Shoe Dog’, ‘Let My People Go Surfing’. I will add a few more: ‘The Log of the Sea of Cortez (actually all of John Steinbeck’s work) and ‘Who Moved My Cheese’.

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

I think the main thing that sets me apart from others is that I really do not care about what other people think. I’ve always had that trait, and, I believe it’s helped me in many ways. I’m also a very curious person and am very interested in learning from others. Additionally, being a good listener has benefited me profoundly. I remember when I graduated from law school and was working in the music industry I was pitching a deal to the manager of Aerosmith. I disinctly remember being told by the manager that he was impressed by my presentation, but that he was not interested. I was crushed, However, , I still persisted and continued with my pitch. And then he told me that I needed to learn how to listen better. That if I learned that skill it would benefit me in life for various reasons. To say that I was livid is putting it mildly. No one had ever said this to me. It wasn’t something I learned in college or law school! Although I did not like this advice, I did keep it in my mind & ultimately tried to become a better listener judt by being quiet & really listening to what others were saying and thinking before I responded. Now over 30 years later, I recently brought this up to the manager & told him it was ‘the’ best thing I ever learned thanks to him. Listening had benefited me profoundly. Learning how to listen well is a skill. Unfortunately it is not taught in college or law school, but rather a skill you either learn or perfect or don’t. I believe being a good listener greatly benefited me as an attorney, and as an artist & designer as well.

I’m extremely proud of the brand we created. I’m also stoked that It was my art that was the inspiration behind IRREVRANT.

Although it’s a possibility that ‘some’ non-creatives may find my journey odd, I believe there may be others who may very well applaud me for what I did. Yes, it’s highly unusual for someone who was a partner in a law firm, who’s doing well financially to just walk away from the practice & go into a career as an artist. However, if one is to follow their life’s passion, that is the only way you can do it. Life is short, so, you might as well do what you really want to do and have as much fun as you possibly can. I’m living proof of that.

I’m an avid reader, so, my recommendation is to read as much as you possibly can and to read about things those are alien to you. I like to do this because you learn about different people, places and things and never know where you will get an interesting idea(s) and/or inspiration.
Three books that greatly interested me and my career are: ‘The Inner Game of Tennis, ‘Shoe Dog’, ‘Let My People Go Surfing’. I will add a few more: ‘The Log of the Sea of Cortez (actuelly all of John Steinbeck’s work) and ‘Who Moved My Cheese’.

Contact Info:

• Website: IRREVRANT.com – Belardinelliart.com
• Instagram: #irrevrantnyc

Image Credits

Marianne McGlone-Belardinelli
Sergio Moroni
Filippo Michelacci
Daniel Belardinelli