We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Malcolm Dakar a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Malcolm, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. 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 learned like how a lot of people my age learned, mostly through YouTube how to’s & trial & error. I do believe I got an extra leg up from my aunt, an amazing seamstress for many years, who taught me a lot of the fundamentals. As far as speeding up the process I believe it comes how it comes. You can work day & night but it’ll click when it clicks. Not to say having a solid work schedule isn’t important, it absolutely is but you definitely can’t force the process, it doesn’t work that way. I think everything I’ve learned has been essential honestly. I think everything I’ve learned whether I use it or not is essential because I needed to learn it in order to know if I needed it or not if that makes sense. It all goes toward the growth. I believe the only thing that stands in the way of me learning more is me. I have the power to learn a lot right in my pocket so the desire to learn & grow really is on me.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

My name is Malcolm Dakar, I am a fashion designer raised & currently residing in Lorain Ohio. I started making clothing because I needed something to do with my life, something that made me want to wake up everyday. I’ve started to believe that things were destined for me from having a creative, do it yourself mother, to having a talkative, outgoing father & fashion designer for an aunt I was supposed to do this. I try to provide people who purchase my work a sense of happiness. It’s really a simple mission, I just want to make the world a little brighter. The main thing I’d like people to know about me is that I’m still learning.

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

The most rewarding thing about being a artist is being able to express yourself, hands down. I believe we are all creative beings who want to create in some manner. I think this society suppresses that ability in multiple ways so if you have the privilege to express yourself that’s the best reward ever.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My main goal right now is to building a community. That’s been my goal since I’ve started & I believe it’s starting to take shape. I’m starting a youtube channel where I’ll be doing how to’s, reviewing pieces I’ve made in the past & other things of that nature & I believe that’ll help me build that community. I’m going to encourage people of all levels to ask questions & help people who need it. I think a beginner can learn from an expert & vise versa you never know what type of viewpoint someone has & how that can change your approach to something. So I’m hoping that will help open up the floor a bit.

Contact Info:

• Website: Malcolmdakar.com
• Instagram: Malcolmdakar
• Youtube: Malcolm Dakar!

Image Credits
Tyler Glasenapp Johnny Mon Ryan Austin