We recently connected with Omarr Dansby Averi Lane and have shared our conversation below.
Omarr Dansby , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
In 2020, in the middle of a global pandemic and with no steady income, my co-founder Averi and I made a bold decision: we launched our own fashion brand, Dapper Designer. We were both still in college—me, a full-time student navigating virtual classes and law school applications, and Averi pursuing her accounting degree. On paper, it wasn’t the “right” time to take a leap into entrepreneurship. But we believed deeply in the idea of creating a brand that represented not only our personal style but also how fashion makes people feel—confident, unique, and seen.
We knew starting a clothing brand from scratch would be hard. The fashion market is saturated, and building recognition alongside established labels is no small feat. But we didn’t want to wait for the “perfect” moment. We believed in Dapper Designer—in its vision and in ourselves. So, we took the risk.
We spent thousands of dollars—our own money—on inventory, materials, and packaging. We invested countless hours outside of our school and work responsibilities perfecting designs and handcrafting items. Every tag, every stitch, every custom order came from our small team. It was physically exhausting and financially straining at times, but we kept going.
Over the past few years, Dapper Designer has grown beyond our expectations. We’ve held pop-up shops, participated in events, and expanded our product lines to include Dapperized—our line of custom, personalized apparel—and Dazzlers, which are themed gift baskets for any occasion. Our Dazzlers, in particular, have become part of people’s most important celebrations—graduations, birthdays, proms, anniversaries. And being able to contribute to those moments is something we never take for granted.
It hasn’t been easy. We’ve experienced setbacks, slow sales months, creative blocks, and the pressure of juggling business with full-time school. But we’ve also seen the rewards of betting on ourselves: customers who believe in our brand, products that spark joy, and a creative outlet that continues to evolve with us.
Now, as I enter my final year of law school and Averi finishes her degree, Dapper Designer stands as a testament to what can happen when you take a risk for something you believe in. That decision in 2020 gave us freedom—freedom to create, to connect, and to grow.
We’re proud of what we’ve built. And we know that without taking that leap, none of it would exist.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
For those who haven’t met us yet—hi, we’re Omarr and Averi, the co-founders of Dapper Designer, a lifestyle brand born out of a love for fashion, creativity, and authenticity.
We started Dapper Designer back in 2020 while we were both still in college—me studying business (marketing) on the path to law school, and Averi deep into her accounting degree. What started as an idea between two students with a shared passion for clothes quickly became something much bigger.
We’ve always loved fashion—not just buying clothes, but expressing ourselves through them. We admire brands like Milano Di Rouge and Off-White for their ability to combine luxury with comfort, and that became our inspiration. We wanted Dapper Designer to offer that same balance: high-quality, thoughtful pieces that make people feel just as good as they look.
Our first collection, Dapper Designer Signature, introduced the world to our style. Custom-tagged tees, silk-lined hoodies, V-necks, crewnecks—it was our bold step into the fashion world. From there, we launched our Invested Innit collection—one of our proudest drops. More than just clothes, it carried our brand message: we are invested in the wellbeing, creativity, and expression of all. It’s more than fashion—it’s a mindset. #InvestedInnit
Then came DD Global, featuring our signature globe logo. That collection reflected our vision of Dapper Designer as a brand without borders. Whether you’re in Atlanta, LA, London, or Lagos, you can find a piece of yourself in DD. We’ve released multiple collections since—each one intentional, meaningful, and rooted in our core belief: fashion should reflect your inward expression just as much as your outward appearance.
But we didn’t stop at clothing. In 2023, we expanded into Dazzlers—custom gift baskets that celebrate life’s big moments. Our first launch, “Dear Mama,” honored Mother’s Day with personalized glitter tees, wallets, tote bags, and more. Today, Dazzlers are fully customizable—from skincare and nail kits to blankets, tees, and eye masks—making them perfect for graduations, birthdays, anniversaries, or simply saying, “I’m thinking of you.”
We also launched our Dapperized line, offering personalized apparel and bulk orders for teams, organizations, and events. Our first Dapperized order came from one of Omarr’s legal mentors, who trusted us to create 13 custom shirts for her team event. We now offer screen printing, vinyl, and competitive pricing for bulk orders—whether it’s a few items or 50+.
What sets Dapper Designer apart is simple: we care. We care about people. We care about quality. We care about the small details—because those are the things that matter most. We are a small team that does everything by hand. DD is still a small brand, but it carries a powerful message: Your voice matters. Your creativity matters. Your expression is valid.
We’re proud of how far we’ve come—from college students with an idea to entrepreneurs running a lifestyle brand that touches lives. We’ve had challenges, sure—but the joy on a customer’s face, the excitement of someone rocking a DD piece at prom or graduation, or the smile from someone receiving a Dazzler basket? That makes it all worth it.
If you’re new here, welcome. Dapper Designer isn’t just about clothes. It’s about you. Your story. Your style. Your moments.
And we’re so glad you’re part of ours.
How’d you meet your business partner?
The story of Dapper Designer wouldn’t exist without the story of our friendship.
Averi and I met when we were just 8 or 9 years old—two kids navigating the hallways of Kittredge Magnet School in Georgia. Even then, we clicked. We went on to attend the same middle school and high school, but it was in high school that our friendship really blossomed. We became inseparable—more like siblings than just friends.
Fast forward to college: during our second year, we made the decision to move into the same residential complex. That choice turned out to be more than just convenient—it was transformational. It was in that complex that Dapper Designer was born.
We didn’t have much at the beginning—just a few shirts, some fabric paint, and a big dream. We’d sit in our apartment brainstorming and crafting for hours. Eventually, we invested in our first sewing machine. Then came a Cricut, followed by a heat press. Every new tool we bought was another step forward, another way to bring our vision to life. What started as an idea on the floor of a college apartment slowly grew into the brand you see today.
Our dynamic works because we’re truly best friends. Like siblings, we bicker and argue sometimes—usually about Dapper Designer—but it’s always because we care deeply. We both want the best for the brand, and we’re not afraid to challenge each other to make it happen. The beauty of our partnership is in the balance: where one of us falls short, the other steps in. We bounce ideas off each other constantly, and we always seem to find a shared vision at the end of the day.
Running a business with your best friend isn’t always easy, but for us, it works—because the foundation is built on love, trust, and years of friendship. Dapper Designer is more than a brand; it’s a reflection of who we are, together.
Any fun sales or marketing stories?
Marketing has always been one of the most challenging parts of running Dapper Designer.
Averi and I are both full-time students—I’m in law school and she’s finishing her accounting degree—so time has always been tight. Still, any free moment we have, we’re pouring it into DD. And while we love creating products and designing collections, we quickly learned that having a great brand isn’t enough if no one knows about it.
Content creation, social media engagement, and building an online presence has been a rollercoaster for us. We’ve tried paid ads a few times—they helped a little with engagement, but we haven’t yet seen the kind of return that builds momentum long term. What we’ve learned is that consistency is everything, and even when it’s hard, we keep showing up. We’re still learning, still evolving, and still figuring out what resonates with our audience.
But one of our proudest sales moments—and a huge turning point in our motivation—happened over Mother’s Day weekend at Cumberland Mall.
We had the opportunity to set up a vendor table right at the front entrance of the mall, and for two young entrepreneurs with a dream, it felt like we were stepping into a whole new level. We brought everything: our DD Signature items, our Dear Mama Dazzlers, glitter tees, custom tote bags, skincare sets—you name it.
We decorated our table beautifully, displayed our best products, and watched as people stopped, browsed, complimented our designs, and bought. The feeling of hearing someone say, “I love this!” or “This is perfect for my mom” was incredible. It wasn’t just about making a sale—it was about connection. We saw people interact with our brand in real time. We answered questions, told our story, and watched strangers become customers.
That weekend taught us so much—not just about sales, but about what it feels like to take up space as a small Black-owned business. It gave us a taste of what it would be like to have a storefront someday. It reminded us that while marketing may be tough, our story, our energy, and our heart for what we do really shines through in person.
We’re still learning. Still growing. But moments like that? They’re why we keep going
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dapperdesigner.net
- Instagram: @dapperdesigner_
- Facebook: Dapper Designer Apparel
- Other: [email protected]
