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

Blake, appreciate you joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

The majority of my learning began as a kid, researching the industry and becoming deeply enthralled by the glamour of fashion and handbags. I was the type of kid who sat at home reading Vogue and watching Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Alexander McQueen runway shows. I learned the majority of my hands-on craftsmanship and technical skills at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where I earned my BFA in Accessories Design. There, I was trained in the patterning process for both handbags and footwear.

I also believe that my first job at UGG was where I experienced the most growth as a designer. Being thrown into the professional world with very limited experience forces you to adapt quickly. It was where I learned to stand on my own two feet, stay open-minded, and think critically about unconventional solutions and innovation.

Looking back, if I could have accelerated my learning, I would have started using Adobe products much earlier. I’ve been using them for over nine years now, but it would have been incredible to render my designs in Illustrator during high school. I am always focused on honing my skills and staying up-to-date with new programs in 3D and AI utilization. Staying on the cutting edge of the industry is essential for relevancy.

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

My first memory of interest in design was at seven years old. I remember cutting out paper handbags with my brand logo in school and handing them out to my friends. At a certain point, there were so many on the playground that I collapsed my own market. As a kid, it was devastating, but as an adult, I now recognize my excitement-driven flaw—and the real strategy behind supply and demand.

I am currently working with Honor the Gift by Russell Westbrook, where my focus has been to build out the brand’s accessories department from scratch. This role offers a great deal of creative freedom but also requires heavy problem-solving. How do you effectively translate a brand’s identity into a new category, engaging the current consumer while ensuring sustainable growth at a slow yet impactful pace? This is my favorite part of my job. It goes beyond just designing; it’s about how a design lives successfully in the market. That’s what excites me most about my work. I am never afraid of a challenge or an unconventional idea—because that’s where the best vision truly comes from.

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

To be able to translate an idea into physical reality is extremely rewarding. Creativity isn’t as fun without the ability for others to appreciate it and resonate with it through their own lens. It’s very subjective, which makes it incredibly special. I believe this applies to any medium—music, art, fashion. What keeps me improving my craft is the desire to make people feel something or get excited. Of course, it’s also important to truly see yourself in your work and be proud of it first. I always take time to breathe and fully absorb the moment when I create something beautiful and true to me.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One of the most defining moments of my resilience came during the early days of launching my brand, CURRUS. I was navigating the challenges of having no network connections, limited funds, and the pressure of trying to break into an extremely competitive industry. At times, it felt like the obstacles were insurmountable, and I often doubted myself. But instead of giving up, I used that energy to push harder. I focused on learning everything I could about brand management, marketing, and building a reliable domestic supply chain. I reached out to people in the industry, leveraged every opportunity, and stayed true to my vision. While it wasn’t an easy path, the experience taught me the value of persistence. You have to be very comfortable in yourself to own a brand. My mantra is to always find comfort in discomfort, because that’s where I feel the most growth happens. Eventually, I started gaining traction, getting my product into venues like the Petersen Automotive Museum and dressing NBA stars like Precious Achiuwa. The lessons I learned during that time continue to shape the way I approach challenges today. The resilience I developed during that period is something I rely on whenever I face obstacles in my current career. It’s a constant learning process, but reflecting on those past moments and seeing how well-rounded I’ve become as a person, both in my career and personal life makes me proud of how far I’ve come.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.blakeblair.com
• Instagram: @byblakeblair
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blake-blair/

Image Credits

@nyknicks

Sebastian Sarti