Today we’d like to introduce you to Dee Sader
Hi Dee, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Funny story. I’m a college drop out. So I didn’t go to school for fashion. I got a job as a front desk receptionist at a fashion brand in the city when I was 17. The head of design accidentally sent me an email asking for my opinion on a print. Excited she even knew I existed, I gave my input. Ironically, that email was never supposed to be sent to me. It was meant to be sent to a buyer who had my same name at Macys. When I would see the head of design in the kitchen, she wouldn’t even acknowledge my existence. That’s when I knew it had to be a mistake and I asked her. She was so flustered that she made such a mistake but the buyer at Macys actually loved my suggestion. After that, Yelena, the head of design, took me under her wing and trained me into the professional I am today. If it wasn’t for her, I would’ve never even been in fashion.
I left fashion in 2018. I had a small breakdown and a heavy case of imposter syndrome. So I moved to Bali. Wanting to find myself. Funny part is, I found myself back in fashion. I started taking on some virtual clients to be able to support my lifestyle while I lived out there. Then I had this crazy idea, since I provide blue prints for a garment to be brought to life, Why couldn’t I take my role and make it a permanent virtual service? I started reaching out to brands offering my services. Some took the chance, others were hesitant because technical designers are usually needed in office. But if you’re good, you really don’t need to be. And I was going to prove that.
Bali didn’t last long as I was running low on funds. I moved back to the states and had an opportunity to help launch Kim K’s brand, Skims. I took the offer and moved out to LA for a bit to spearhead the development process. That was my first time working for a celebrity. It was surreal.
Ironically Covid hit in 2020 and made everyone’s position virtual. But I had a 2 year head start. The clients that were once hesitant about my virtual services, started emailing me for help. Word got around so quick that I started getting requests from music artists and celebrity brands. It was actually crazy. Having skims in my portfolio opened up doors with Meek Mill, Chris Brown, MetroBoomin, Kid Cudi and so many others that I can’t name them all. I became the first technical designer to become contracted and virtual. It’s a dream to be able to live the life I manifested.
Back to being a college drop out, I now speak at FIT to teach the youth about the world of fashion through technical design. And the importance technical designers, or as I like to call us ‘Cinderella’s Mice’. Without them.. she would’ve never made it to the ball.
I’m super grateful to everyone who has believed in me and gotten me to where I am. Being on a first name basis with some of these celebrities is crazy and I pinch myself daily sometimes.
Moral is- believe in yourself till others have no choice but to believe in you too. Imposter syndrome got the worst of me in 2018. But if I didn’t go through that I wouldn’t have forged my path to where I am today.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely a bumpy ride. Some days were harder than others. Since I didn’t go to school for design. I didn’t know the solutions to some of the issues that would come up and would have to scramble through books or ask a colleague for help. But you can’t learn if you don’t ask for help right? Remain teachable. It’s the only way you grow
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a fashion apparel technical designer,
I’m basically an apparel architect. Designers need me to bring their vision to life.
What sets me apart is my experience, my connections with manufacturers, my extensive knowledge in fabric and construction and of course my personality, I’m easy to work with and no client is too small for me. I’ll take your dream and bring it to life
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.Deeszn.com
- Instagram: @deeszn
