We were lucky to catch up with Dan Williams recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Dan, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
I think every project I’ve done is meaningful, but this next project I am working on I think is the most meaningful in my life right now. It is my senior year of college, and I just take a step back and look at how hard I’ve worked up until now. And just how I have persisted throughout these four years that I’ve been here. I am beyond proud of myself and it’s the most surreal feeling. Producing this last runway show while I am in college is surreal. Looking back at where I started to now is just the craziest feeling. I originally wasn’t going to do another one after producing two in one school year, but a good friend of mine, named Dasya, emphasized that I needed to do this last one as a farewell to my college years and saying hello to what would be a new reality for me and my career once I graduate. So this next project means a lot to me and I am working hard to ensure that this is my best work to date.
Dan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I currently am a Merchandising student, Creative Director, and an Archivist. I archive vintage historical and designer garments from Jean Paul Gaultier to Dolce & Gabbana to Burberry to name a few amongst others. As a child I have always been around fashion, from my brothers wearing Supreme, Ed Hardy, and obsessed over every new shoe drop, to my mother who wore Gucci, Fendi, and Ralph Lauren, fashion has been at my fingertips my whole life. I began researching my favorite brands while in middle school, by the time I was in high school I was dabbling in Fashion Photography, and began styling and capturing photos of the students who were also into fashion. In college, I began making a few pieces here and there, working on my pattern making skills, and I decided to take a photography class. One of the projects was to capture photos of your surroundings in which a few photos were photos of the sewing rooms and me at the sewing machines, etc. My professor then emailed me and asked if I could bring a few garments and a model to use for his advanced photography class, in which I said yes. After that I was approached by my student organization to produce a runway show, at which I quickly took the opportunity and now I am here producing my third runway show and my sixth collection.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is honestly being able to bring your creativity to life. Being able to have a mental image of a garment and then create it and to step back and see all the hard work you’ve put into that small idea is an amazing feeling. Being able to curate and create a whole collection of the small ideas that eventually blossom into something you didn’t imagine it would become. Being able to showcase my hard work and dedication is also a rewarding aspect of being a creative.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
It did take a while for me to build my audience and I’m still building it as we speak, however, over time it was really connecting and networking with those who share similar interests, as well as the same work ethic as you. Making sure that you stay connected is very important as well, making sure that you support their work as much as they’re supporting yours as well. Also knowiby your audience is just as important as well.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Mike Torres
Jay Singh
Lilli Flores
Dan Williams