We recently connected with Pavel Diaz and have shared our conversation below.

Pavel, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

The idea for Can’t STOP Fashion (CSF) was born out of a deep understanding of the struggles faced by creatives, especially during challenging times like the lockdown. As someone deeply ingrained in the fashion, music, and entertainment industries for over a decade, I witnessed firsthand how many talented individuals relied on their creativity as a lifeline for maintaining their mental well-being. However, when lockdown measures were implemented, many creatives found themselves without the support systems available to those in more traditional lines of work.

Seeing the detrimental impact this had on my peers, I felt compelled to create a platform that would provide them with the recognition, support, and opportunities they deserved. Thus, the concept of Can’t STOP Fashion was conceived—a platform dedicated to empowering undiscovered creative talent and providing them with avenues to showcase their work and thrive despite the challenges they faced.

The initial manifestation of CSF took the form of a digital series. The first episode was a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of the creative community. We collaborated with six clothing designers, sourcing a diverse range of garments, which were then allocated to over 20 models scattered across London. Despite the logistical challenges, we orchestrated safe and socially distanced shoots, capturing the models catwalking in their own neighbourhoods.

The culmination of these efforts resulted in a virtual fashion show, that premiered via YouTube Premiere. This innovative approach not only showcased the talents of the designers and models but also demonstrated our commitment to adaptability and creativity in the face of adversity. The series had its TV debut in 2021 on Sky; and you can check out all our episodes on the Can’t STOP Fashion YouTube channel.

From this humble beginning, CSF has evolved into a powerful movement, transcending the boundaries of a digital series to encompass a wide range of initiatives aimed at empowering and uplifting undiscovered creative talent. Through our unwavering dedication and collaborative spirit, we continue to redefine creativity without limits, breaking down barriers and championing diversity and inclusion in the fashion and entertainment industries.

Pavel, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Blessings! My name is Pavel, and I champion everything that centres around empowering individuals to embrace their true selves and unlock their full potential.

My career in the fashion, modelling, and pageantry industries has been marked by notable achievements. Having won 11 titles from 15 competitions within a span of three years, I became a recognised contender. I have represented my countries of origin internationally, featuring in competitions as far as Bali, Indonesia in 2016. From this, appointed as Multi-National Director, I moved into training a group of contestants for Miss Supermodel Worldwide in New Delhi, in 2018. Further accomplishments include orchestrating sold-out fashion shows and playing a pivotal role as a runway choreographer and model trainer for an on-schedule London Fashion Week runway event in September 2023.

My journey began unexpectedly, with a simple invitation to participate in a free photoshoot. From that moment, I was captivated by the world of fashion and resolved to build my confidence through immersion in the industry. Stepping onto the runway for the first time solidified my passion, setting me on a path of relentless dedication to empowering others in similar pursuits.

In 2020, amidst the challenges of the pandemic, I founded Can’t STOP Fashion (CSF) as a beacon of hope and opportunity for underrepresented talents in fashion, media, and entertainment. CSF is more than just a brand; it’s a community-driven organisation committed to breaking down barriers and championing diversity and inclusivity. Our platform provides a sanctuary for models, designers, music artists, and creatives of all backgrounds to thrive and gain the recognition they deserve.

What sets CSF apart is our unwavering commitment to celebrating the excellence of talent across shapes, sizes, ethnicities, gender identities, and neurodiversities. Through initiatives such as our Sky TV-featured digital fashion series, captivating runway events, hands-on workshops, and publications, we strive to redefine industry standards and amplify the voices of marginalised creatives on a global scale.

I’m incredibly proud of the impact CSF has had in empowering individuals to embrace their uniqueness and shine in the spotlight. Our work goes beyond traditional boundaries, creating opportunities for personal and professional growth while fostering a sense of community and belonging.

For potential clients, followers, and fans, I want them to know that CSF is more than just a brand—it’s a movement. Whether you’re a budding designer, aspiring model, or creative enthusiast, CSF is here to support and uplift you on your journey. Together, we can defy limitations, challenge norms, and create a world where creativity knows no bounds.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

My core reason for throwing myself deeper into the industry was to put myself in situations where I had no choice but to adapt and grow. This can be especially said for pageantry and model competitions which became my go-to for working on my stage presence, public speaking, and building overall confidence. The start of my pageantry journey was almost the end due to an unjust experience that left me questioning my self-worth.

I had entered a UK national competition in which the Mr & Miss winners were meant to have been flown out to compete in the competition’s International counterpart. I had recently not placed in my first pageant as I discovered the hard way that I had zero mic skills. This second pageant was my chance to work on my newfound weakness and overcome it through practice and attending workshops. I polished up on all areas and worked vigorously to ensure I would stand out within all sections of the judging criteria.

I travelled to Birmingham to compete in this competition and put my body, mind, and soul into it. To my own disbelief, I won, was officially crowned, plus rewarded the right to travel to the Philippines to take on the world in the international version of the pageant. This suddenly took a negative turn when the organisers of the International competition found out about my victory and were adamant that a black British male had no right to represent the UK in their competition. They told the director of the UK competition that I should not hold that title and should represent my “native” country within their competition instead. The UK director then decided to alter the height restriction of their competition as a way of voiding my eligibility to win the competition in order to revoke my title.

The bitterness from this plus the humiliation caused my self-esteem to plummet and affected my ability to trust industry professionals and the opportunities they offer. Upon bouncing back, I vowed that I didn’t need that pageant or my revoked title to compete on an international scale and achieve what was originally promised to me. I worked hard, won more competitions, and managed to secure myself 2 opportunities to fly out and compete internationally in both India and Indonesia. Throughout those years of competitions, I competed in 15 and secured 11 titles. My extensive pageantry experience has provided me with the opportunity to train contestants for both national and international competitions who have won titles of their own.

Looking back, there was a crossroad at the end of the pageant that did me an injustice. The choice was to either accept the racist pageant directors and accept that going international was above me or to prove to myself that their International competition was below me. I chose the latter, which has also provided me with the skills needed to train and empower like-minded individuals to achieve their pageantry goals.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Building a reputation within the market has been a journey rooted in authenticity, integrity, and passion for both myself and Can’t STOP Fashion (CSF). These three core values have consistently resonated with our clients and partners, setting us apart in a competitive industry.

Authenticity is at the heart of everything we do at CSF. From our genuine commitment to empowering undiscovered talent to our transparent approach in all our interactions, authenticity shines through in every aspect of our work. Clients and collaborators alike appreciate the sincerity and genuine care we bring to every project and initiative.

Integrity is another cornerstone of our reputation. We uphold high ethical standards and strive to ensure that all our actions align with our values and commitments. This commitment to integrity fosters trust and confidence among clients, who know they can rely on us to deliver on our promises and uphold our end of the bargain.

Passion fuels our work at CSF, driving us to go above and beyond for our clients and the creative community. Our dedication to our mission is evident in every project we undertake, whether it’s putting on fashion shows, delivering workshops or coordinating collaborative efforts with designers and models. Clients appreciate our unwavering enthusiasm and dedication to ensuring that every project is a success.

Clients often highlight our dedication to mutual benefit as a key factor in building our reputation. Whether it’s ensuring that all parties involved in a project are satisfied or going the extra mile to address challenges and concerns, our commitment to fostering positive outcomes for everyone involved sets us apart in the market.

As we continue to uphold these values and strive for excellence in all our endeavours, we are confident that our reputation will only continue to grow and flourish.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.cantstopfashion.com
• Instagram: @cantstopfashion_official | www.instagram.com/cantstopfashion_official
• Linkedin: Pavel Diaz | uk.linkedin.com/in/pavel-diaz-776577178
• Youtube: Can’t STOP Fashion | www.youtube.com/c/CantStopFashionOfficial?sub_confirmation=1
• Other: CSF Live 2024 – Saturday 20th July 2024 A Fashion Show Presented by Can’t STOP Fashion We’re back with another captivating live fashion showcase! Join us in July for a celebration of underrated talent, diversity, and cutting-edge fashion from the UK and beyond. Witness 35 striking models strut our utopian runway, showcasing impeccable couture and freedom of individuality. Secure your seat for an unforgettable evening, where you’ll enjoy the runway show, delve into the authentic stories of our ever-excelling creatives, and connect with distinguished industry professionals. The choice is truly yours! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/csf-live-2024-fashion-show-tickets-886510626147

Image Credits
KevinWright | Bright Mzila | Christine De Oliveira | Norman Peltier | Can’t STOP Fashion