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

Mellahn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Alright – so having the idea is one thing, but going from idea to execution is where countless people drop the ball. Can you talk to us about your journey from idea to execution?

Before I launched DFA Laboratories, I studied different types of brands, and not just clothing brands. I studied how certain companies moved, the decisions they made and how they influenced and created trends. My dad noticed this and told me I should start my own business. So, I took his advice and began brainstorming. I knew I wanted to create something that wasn’t limited to a specific style or genre. I wanted to break away from the norm and create a brand that could resonate with anyone, regardless of their background or taste.

When I was in high school, I ended up taking graphic design by mistake. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise because it sped up my ability to create designs and concepts. And then my grandmother bought me a laptop, and that’s all I needed to start bringing my ideas to life.

I spent countless hours researching and planning, immersing myself in the ins and outs of the fashion industry. From understanding the nuances of sourcing materials to coming up with innovative marketing strategies, every detail mattered. I was determined to create more than just clothing; I wanted to create a brand that blended science and fashion seamlessly, something that would stand out.

Once I had a solid plan in place, I began reaching out to distributors and manufacturers to bring my designs to life. It was a lot of trial and error, trying to find the right partners who understood my vision and could deliver the quality I was looking for.
I spent almost three years in Los Angeles, getting to know the ins and outs of that world. In 2017, the idea of DFA Labs came to me shortly after that and I launched the website on Halloween of 2020. Since then, I’ve had the privilege to collaborate and partner with some amazing brands such as The North Face®, Dickies® and Carhartt®.

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

My name is Mellahn, and I’m the founder and creative director behind DFA Laboratories. The acronym stands for Don’t F*ck Around. The company is based in St. Louis, Missouri, and is rewriting the narrative of fashion and streetwear. We’re bold and unapologetic and very passionate about using fashion as a form of self-expression as it pertains to culture, art and social justice.

Like most artists, we push boundaries but not just for the sake of being different but because we really do want to spark new conversations about what we see in the world. For instance, our clothing is ideal for all body types, shapes and sizes. We operate in an industry that sets very rigid standards, especially for women, but we knew from the start that we wanted to be the opposite of that. Our main goal is to empower individuals to embrace their true selves with confidence and pride.

After years of research and studying brands, I knew the aesthetic I could bring. I was fixed on differentiating myself from the crowd and establishing my own brand identity by taking my own spin on existing ideas.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My main goal is to just challenge various narratives and stereotypes and create that inspiration for others. I also don’t want to dogpile on things that have already been done. I also want what we do to speak to the essence of humanity. That means that each garment, each creation that emerges from the DFA Labs is a testament to our commitment to authenticity. Whether it’s through fashion, art, or film, we want to spark conversation and challenge norms.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Wow, as a business owner, there is always some type of obstacle. It definitely was hard in the beginning. And even now, the more the company expands, the more I’ve had to demonstrate my resilience. From models canceling shoots on the same day to trusting printing people to do embroidery work, I’ve experienced a lot of moments that I just had to take on the chin. But you learn and say, ‘I won’t be doing that anymore.’ You have to just stick to what you know. You see, life is that movie you’re constantly playing out and there are those times when you know how it’s going to end and other times when you don’t. But when times get tough, I always go back to the acronyms of my company…DFA (don’t f*ck around) and when I do that, I’m reminded that I can’t even think about it without being about it. You realize that you have to handle those challenges head on because nobody is going to do it for you.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dfalaboratories/

Image Credits

Photo credit: Thomas Joseph