We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Deliza Rucker a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Deliza, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a time you helped a customer really get an amazing result through their work with you.
My most impactful customer story would be creating stage looks for my absolute favorite client and Drag performer, Starlette. During a going away party for a mutual friend, we were commenting on the looks that graced the stage and she mentioned wanting to try her hand at performing. As a seamstress, I jumped at the opportunity to exercise my creative muscles. We immediately went to work creating something unique and powerful that made her feel both sexy and confident for her first performance. The costume won over the crowd! From that point on, we developed a wonderful relationship resulting in over a dozen amazing looks and several alterations spanning over a 2-year time period. During this time, Starlette had also been booked for multiple performances across Kentucky and Tennessee. The greatest complement to our combined efforts were the surge in social media followings, fans, complements, etc. I knew I made a difference when one day I received a message from Starlette, thanking me for my services by stating how I “elevated her Drag”. I couldn’t be more pleased with the work we’ve done together.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am, and have always been someone who has appreciated the Art of Fashion. If I had to say where my inspiration came from, it would have to be my parents and the city of New York, where I was born and raised. As a child my mom always kept my siblings and I in stylish clothing of the latest trends. My dad, who was a tailor, created custom jackets in the early 90’s as a side business. Although my current career is as a Recruiter for the United States Army, I am also a self taught seamstress and fashion designer. I have taken on many projects to include alterations, tailoring and total garment construction for myself and others, all in an effort to create something unique and special since 2014. I have created a business named Complexion Designs that caters to the individual that desires to set themselves apart from the mainstream fashion trends, and has an appreciation for well fitting garments. I also focus on giving my clients an exclusive experience, which includes advice on current trends in color pallets and how they will compliment their skin tone and fitting which compliments their body type. My belief is that clothing should be practical, comfortable and mostly sustainable. My overarching mission is to connect the dots between fashion and lifestyle. The thing that I am most proud of is my ability to listen to the client and offer solutions to wardrobe problems, and build confidence in the person wearing my creations – bringing ideas to fruition. Most importantly, carrying on a legacy that my father created but hadn’t seen its full potential due to his untimely passing at the age of 46. I inherited his sewing machine which unfortunately I no longer possess. Although my collection of sewing tools and machinery has grown over the years, I will never forget that the machine I learned to sew on was the last that his fingers graced.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I feel that I am in transition as we speak. I have recently hit 20 years of service in the United States Army, but I am answering the true calling on my life. Up until now, I have produced amazing designs collaborating with clients to achieve a certain look and feel. I have also been restoring vintage clothing and items that hold sentimental value. I am now creating a line of my own. I have been a vendor at marketplaces to advertise my alteration, tailoring and custom work abilities and received clients through word of mouth. While lucrative, it is not exactly consistent. I now want to share my own ideas with the world. Therefore, I have decided to produce a limited line of handmade pieces. This will be the next venture in my journey in fashion design. I will continue to focus on trending color pallets and how they complement skin tones, but due to the new offers I am rebranding. Moving forward, I am doing business as Complexion Designs which will debut late spring 2024. I will feature look books and insightful commentary on seasonal style trends on a playful website. I am looking forward to how this new focus will impact my business and life.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
If I had to recommend an author, motivational speaker and phenomenal entrepreneur that has impacted my mindset and projected me forward in my fashion career, it would be Jim Rohn. I believe that not all mentorships will come from someone we know and reach directly. Through his plethora of books on the art of leadership and self-development, Mr. Rohn has helped me to ask myself the right questions to get to the core of what I wanted and what it will take to get there. Some of his titles – that I’ve read – include The Power of Ambition, 7 Strategies for Wealth and Happiness, and How to Have the Best Year Ever. Unfortunately, Mr. Rohn is no longer with us; however, he has left a wealth of knowledge in his wake. There are also countless interviews and speeches available for free on YouTube. Some of the principles I have obtained from his teachings have been goal setting strategies, developing a healthy mindset, achieving a “winner’s attitude” toward life’s challenges, how to lead and work well with others, and strive for a life of abundance. How this relates to my business is as I develop as a person and in skillset, I will attract those I can serve.
Contact Info:
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