We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Drew Skyland. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Drew below.
Drew , looking forward to hearing all of your stories 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?
I found my love for fashion during quarantine out of all times. The warmth and love that I discovered from the art of sewing has and forever will change my life. Around that time, my life had no stability. My grandmother passed, I experienced an assault, and I lost my job. I needed something to express, something that will make me feel alive, loved, and accepting. Fashion is the reason why I am here and the essence of my character. Off topic, but I actually recount nights where I would pray for love and the feeling of stability; I guess you can say I was a hopeless romantic. However, I did not imagine God/the Universe or whatever higher power out there would bless me with such a beautiful art that can melt my sadness away.
I discovered the love of design on a personal scale, as listed above. However, the beginning of Drew Skyland came from a sweet lady from Oregon that I met in a Joann’s in the Northern area of Texas. We became friends quickly and she taught me all her hacks that her grandmother and mother passed to her. I am so privileged and honored to ever meet someone like her because
1) she taught me to embrace myself and what I wanted to create from the heart, not the eyes.
2) I made her a promise that when I start designing clothes I will cater to women, but also, women of most sizes with the non-typical body type that is portrayed in mass media
She gave me faith and I don’t think I can ever repay her for giving a black kid with low self esteem issues and a fear of not being good enough hope that they are beautiful and deserve a spot in the world.
Quite frankly, I don’t think I would speed up anything. The journey of getting here made me who I am today. The tears, the laughs, the prayers, the late nights, the pain.. it all created what you see today.
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The skills essential for designing, especially fashion design, in my books is time management, not taking yourself too seriously, and being opened to constructive criticism.
You know life is crazy because I never would have imagined my life this way. In 2018, I was a college biology student with a determination to become an oncologist (for the sake of my grandmothers which inspired me to go into the field because of their diagnoses). Yet, I am a fashion designer who cross dresses and writes books about how the art of fashion transformed my life. Sounds crazy, right? I’m glad it changed.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hello viewers,
I am Drew Skyland and I am a Fashion Designer specializing in Feminine Bohemian Clothing. I got my craft during quarantine. The craft was a hobby at first, then over a period of time, turned into a business of mine. I create different types of garments with a Drew Skyland flare. I make clothes typically for the statuary women, however, there is no such thing as gender for my clothing so everyone is more than welcomed. I design cinched fitting clothing for people who want to accentuate their curves. I think that is what sets me apart from the competition. I understand the societal issues of the feminine body, and I am willing to make clothes that will combat those problems.
I’m mostly proud of my determination. I have had multiple people who would not work with me or downplayed my work as less than for the fragility of image. Perception has an authoritative make or break it belief in this industry, so I can’t blame them. And, I would love potential clientele/fans of the brand to know is that I am open to collaborate and work with your needs. Many fashion designers, have this attitude of take it or leave it. I can assure you, I will do my very best to work with you.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I had the unlearn the lesson around criticism. I think as an artist, unconsciously, we put our feelings with our work and vice versa.
Just because someone is criticizing your art does not mean they are critiquing you as a person.
I had to learn to separate my sense of self from my designs and fashion brand. This is a hard lesson for creators and artists because you dedicated so much energy to create something you are very proud of. However, you have to account that some people won’t like what you are doing or what you are creating and that is okay.
: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Yes, there is.
I hope to give back to the community. I have a special place in my heart for survivors of abuse, women, and homeless children. I think being financially independent would be amazing and a dream come true. Yet, I would be more fulfilled giving a percent of my earnings to help homeless youth and seeing one child I have helped get off the streets would make my brand and my work even more sweet.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.drewskyland.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drewliski/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewskyland
- Other: Tik Tok – https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdSNenQ8/