We recently connected with DeKeisha Mathis and have shared our conversation below.
DeKeisha, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?
I began my clothing line in 2020 in pursuit to chase a dream of working in the fashion industry. I received a Biology degree from Morgan State University in 2012. It seemed hard to convince anyone in fashion to hire me based on my background. After years of disappointment in 2020 I decided If I was to ever going be recognized for my talents in fashion & art I would have to create the platform & bet on myself.
DeKeisha, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am the owner of a unisex clothing brand called Drodge Club Collection. I created the brand to bring awareness to how similar everyone can be through fashion. The brand is derived from the word “Androgynous” which in short means to express yourself in a part female part male manner. I was born in Saint Louis, MO and decided to transition at the age of 17 to Baltimore, MD to attend Morgan State University for basketball mainly. I graduated from Morgan State University in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. Post-graduation I landed my first job as a Daily Childcare Worker and began working with youth. In my free time, I pursued my art career, which I believed to be music at the time. I began doing open mics, poetry shows, and spending an immense amount of time with artist. During those moments, I always had a passion for all entertainment but fashion and music particularly. In 2020 during the pandemic allowed me enough time to finally pursue my true passion which was fashion. I started the clothing line in October 2020 and we are up and running in 2023. I feel what makes Drodge different is the concept Iv’e created around the line making every customer a “member” of the Drodge team. I intentionally treat every customer like an important member of my team by posting them on our social media platforms to considering their ideas for new pieces. Drodge is all about inclusivity and using fashion to be free in your presentation. I am most proud of being a a representation of anyone who looks like or thinks like me. I want all my customers and potential clients to know we are just getting started stay tuned.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
The four agreements and the E-Myth shaped my thinking in how I wanted to pursue my clothing line and life in general. The four agreements taught me how to manage peace and assumptions. The E-Myth has taught me the important things on the journey of creating a small business like how important a team is & what can happen without one.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is by far the freedom & influence. Art allows extreme freedom in creation and thinking. Most art starts from absolutely nothing and based on the artist the finished product can have a million different outcomes.
Contact Info:
- Website: drodgeclubcx.com
- Instagram: drodgeclubcx
Image Credits
Photos by: Keithcunninghamphotos & Heiroglyphix Photography