We were lucky to catch up with Donny White recently and have shared our conversation below.

Donny, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I’m the happiest I have ever been as a creative! I started my design career after serving 20 years in the United States Air Force. Fashion design has always been my first love but I had to be realistic and being a starving artist was of no interest to me. I honestly can’t say that my time in the military should be considered a “regular job.” I had some amazing experiences that have molded and shaped me into the highly motivated designer I am today. While I don’t miss the pressure cooker that was the US military, it does help me with my current perspective. I problem solve, manage my time, build lasting relationships, and negotiate with ease and that is due in huge part to serving my country.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am the creative director of Donny White Designs, LLC. I started the business in 2022 to help take the guess work out of what to wear to work! I have had the pleasure to work with many of my colleagues teaching them how to build a professional wardrobe. Their number one frustration was not knowing where to start and what clothing options to pick. Each collection is designed to help you find your C2:Curated Confidence and comprised of offerings for a typical work week. The underlying objective is to provide a wardrobe as a system where everything is pre-coordinated meaning all the pieces match and work well together which gives one the opportunity to dress based on how they feel making that decision less stressful.

I am most proud of the lastest collection “California Business Casual.” This collection was born out of necessity post pandemic and merges lifestyle with utility. It was designed to make transitions from day to night, work to home, and work to beach SEAMLESS! Blended lives are definitely a reality for most.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The lesson that has become most prevalent is that being a good designer is not enough! Solid business practices like marketing, budgeting, negotiations and networking are equally if not more essential to success. I was under the impression that all you had to do was amazing work and that social media would guarantee brand recognition and the right business growth opportunities. Boy was I wrong! Marketing as a strategy is essential right out of the gate because you are a relative unknown entity in this vast industry with tons of options for consumers. Customers are bombarded with advertisements and it’s important to find a way to break through the noise. So many things to consider from content, photography, pricing, and probably most important element TRUST. Costumer acquisition is not only challenging but it takes time to find the right mix for your brand.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of fashion design for me is seeing client confidence explode from something I created. I wish you could bottle that up and sell it. When I get the feedback from people who I’ve worked with that they feel empowered, self assured, and complimented on their appearance I feel I have done my job successfully.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://donnywhitedesigns.com
• Instagram: donny.white.9231

Image Credits

Ivan Gonzales, Headshot Photo