We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Derrick/ Orlando Selllers/ Ortiz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Derrick/ Orlando thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

HOK : Taking a Risk was a big part of HOK&DJS merging together as one brand . We were by o Te h pushing our own brands and styles in the fashion industry , but we knew coming together would be something different. Merging our brands took alot of work to get our audience to see who we are separately but most importantly who we are together .

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Orlando “King O” (HOK ) started in the performing arts field. I was always into Dancing, modeling , and doing anything artistic .

As I got older and started modeling and loving fashion and aspire to eventually start doing my own fashion line . I started designing when I was in the 6th Grade and once I got to High School is when I then started to expand on my fashion career and knew Fashion/Styling was the route I wanted to go in.

Derrick J . Sellers (DJS Choreographer/Creative Director is expanding his credits to include his newest venture …Fashion Design. A graduate of the acclaimed Duke Ellington School of the Arts & AMDA, Derrick has developed choreography for numerous dance companies, including Eleone Dance Theater, Philadanco, Bermuda Dance Company, Hubbard Street, Delaware Contemporary and for prestigious universities such as Harvard University, University of Nevada, University Southern as well as for his alma mater, Duke Ellington. In 2013, Derrick choreographed a ballet called “Blue Ocean” on Abu Dhabi Dance Project in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. Derrick worked as a creative consulting on TruTV’s reality show, “Fake Off,” and will serve as one of the creative directors for live nation’s Industrial Aesop fable this fall in Germany! Now, Derrick is moving toward making “art” a part of our everyday “lifestyle” through his new brand, DJS LIFESTYLES Home to HOK & DJS.
Based in San Francisco., DJS LIFESTYLES is not only a brand to showcase Derrick’s work but is also a platform for local “Up & Coming” as well as established designers and artists to have a voice to all aspects of entertainment. DJS LIFESTYLES focuses on artist development through the mediums of Filmmaking, Visual & Graphic Design, Creative Consulting, and Fashion.

House of King/DJS Lifestyles (HOK/DJS)

Born out the spirit of inspiration, creativity, collaboration & partnership, HOK/DJS’ MISSION is to explore where our two worlds collide to create and define a style that is…
Ex•clu•sive: the more rare or unattainable something is, the more valuable it is.

E•lu•sive: sparks a sense of curiosity and urgency within a person and makes them want to know exactly it is that they’re missing out on.

Ed•gy: daringly innovative; provocative, or trendsetting; Creatively challenging; unusual in a way that is fashionable or exciting; unconventional, bold, inspired, defiant & cool, risqué.

…that evolves into something BEAUTIFUL.

HOK/DJS invokes an aesthetic that does not exactly follow normal dictates, but instead, seamlessly blends and builds a strong bond between unique everyday style and red-carpet couture. Using our own unique eye, voice, and cutting-edge creativity,

HOK/DJS conveys a genre that is simply “Made for Now!”

Their Vision:

Organic Fashion

It’s the pure nature of an unfiltered artist to trust in the gift of being one of a kind. Daring to be different and thinking outside the box fuels evolution. Change is good! In this endeavor, I stretch beyond the norm to break into a world of infinite imagination. Now journey with me as we witness when worlds collide!

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

Derrick and I met through a mutual friend outside of restaurant . We were introduced and talked and later on we exchanged contact. Derrick knew I had experienced with modeling so asked if I would want to be one of his models for his upcoming debut campaigns. After our first shoot with me as a model, things took off.

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

The most rewarding aspect of being a artist and creative is having the opportunity to see your ideas come to life

Being able to try new things and take risk with styles and seeing how much joy our clothes and creativity bring people        

Contact Info:

• Website: www.djslifestyles.com
• Instagram: @djslifestyles (HOK & DJS)
• Facebook: @djslifestyles
• Twitter: @djslifestyles
• Youtube: @djslifestyles
• Threads: @djslifestyles

Image Credits
Image by Don E Harris & Dilano Style Orlando Ortiz & Derrick J. Sellers Brand HOK & DJS MUA Jossey C. & Mahogany Fame Clutch by Raymia Henderson Jewelry Raphael Randolph