Hi. My name is Darese King and I am a store owner and Head Fashion Designer at LovelyU Inc. which is a Custom Fashion Design business that creates special occasion garments for women, children, and men. We specialize in taking the thoughts and inspirations of our customers and creating specifically to their wants and needs while exceeding expectations. LovelyU Inc. started as a small resale shop in Chicago 7 years ago with a few personal clients to now being a corporation with its own specialty store with more than thousands of clients per year throughout the United States. LovelyU Inc. designers are creative, upbeat, and very knowledgeable about fashion & trends! Don’t hesitate to follow them and place your order now!

IG: @lovelyuinc
Twitter: @lovelyuclothing
Facebook: @LovelyUinc
Website: www.lovelyuinc.com
Business email: info@lovelyucollections.com

1.) What elements and/or characteristics made you say to yourself that you wanted to do fashion design for a living? Who are your influences/heroes/role models?

I love fashion! The way it speaks without words. The way it flows without effort. I love the way fashion has a voice and it can speak any language you want it with the help of creating a certain type of look. I was influenced by music and the entertainment world, the way artist will get ready for a performance, an award show, or a tour dressed in different garb and owning that particular look. My mom was a huge inspiration to my fashion debut, as a kid she would go out to step and on vacation or wherever dressed in the best clothing, and she was so versatile. I remember staying up late to greet her when she would return home just to see what she wore; while be mesmerized with how it looked and how to has worn it! Fashion never dies! It continues to recreate and that’s what I love about it, the feeling!

2.) If you could compare yourself to someone who is already established in your line of work, who would that be and why? If you don’t like to compare yourself, then what separates you from other everyone else who does what you do?

I would compare myself to Michael Costello, he makes amazing gowns! And he also didn’t go to school for fashion design, he was self taught, and expanded from there. Also a Salvatore Ferragamo who learned from his family and created something bigger. I love their hustle and growth! My keen eye and ability to measure by looking at body frame and style sets me apart!

3.) Everyone in life goes through adversity of some sort. Is there anything in your life that has any influence on the work that you do? What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure on your path to becoming an entrepreneur?

Starting the business and continuing to keep a business going is by far the most challenging this to do in business. However it’s worth it! If one can start and continue on, it’s a great thing! What influenced me to continue to work hard and grow is not wanting to live an ordinary life, wanting to be on the scene and headlines as a go to designer and dress people in their feelings makes it all worth it and has influenced me to rise above and in spite of any temporary challenge. Having clients that has trouble finding things they like or in their size keeps me busy and doing what I love!

4.) How do you prepare yourself to create? What is your process?

My process is first thought. For example: I get a client, they come in for a consultation, we discuss inspirations, measurements, and first payment is made. After that the real designing process begins. I start with thought of what the client said, what were there inspirations, and desires of colors I then hey fabrics start making my patterns and designing their garment.

5.) Unfortunately many industries are full of talented individuals who more or less become the “starving artist” and don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or hard work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and get noticed?

I continue to reinvent myself by never giving up. Staying focus. Traveling, talking & working for more prestigious people so that regardless if I am famous to the everyday person I am famous to those lives I touch with my fashion and that I am well paid for it.

6.) Would you rather work for a big corporation or would you rather stay independent? Why or why not? What makes one better than the other?

I would continue working independent because it provides me full freedom and flexibility however I will still consult and work with a bigger corporation because it would offer me more experience as well as growth and possibly a quicker route to being well known.

7.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the creative industry and how artists are able to market themselves? Social media is obviously an extremely important element in today’s world, especially when it comes to business, branding, marketing, etc. With that being said, do you think an artist will be able to survive in today’s economy if they’re not social media savvy?

I think social media is a great tool for growth and marketing and will continue to help artists thrive and grow in their field which will continue to affect their sense of notoriety quickly. I also believe an artist can survive without being social media savvy if they already have clientele because word of mouth is still a huge form of marketing. Although I think it’s wise for any artist to have a social media platform and to be able to hire or use those platforms to continue to display their artistry/creativity.

8.) Typically, entrepreneurs who try to create products and/or services for mass consumption for the general public and make more money are seen as “sell-outs.” Do you see it that way and if so, what do you plan to do to make sure that what you offer stays true to your brand and make a good living at the same time without having to “sell out”?

I don’t see any one as a sell-out. Some people decide to grow bigger and wider and that’s perfectly normal and okay to me because it’s their life and their wants & desires that allows them to decide their path. To assure my brand and creativity is still in the forefront and not perceive in a negative way I will continue to have input and the final say so on what is released and in what way we are marketing to our audience.

9.) What advice would you share with other artists who are trying to create something unique?

My advice is to be yourself, allow growth, and be flexible. Allow innovations and spontaneity to take place in your artistry.

10.) What are the positives and negatives of the fashion industry? What is it about the fashion industry that makes some creatives push forward? What do you think makes some creatives quit?

There are always positives & negatives to any field or industry. The motto is consistency. Some people push forward because they want it badly enough and some people stop because they may allow everyday obstacles hinder them from triumphing through challenges and turning lemons into lemonade. I myself push forward because fashion is my life and I ask myself two questions when I’m faced with challenges if not me then who? And would I be allowed this task or opportunity if I didn’t have the tools to fulfill it. It’s just that simple!

11.) With so many people online who are expressing their opinions on any and everything under the sun, how do you know when to take something as constructive criticism or when to see it as trolling?

I rarely view what people have said about me. And for constructive criticism I think it can be given from a professional tone and not appearing to make you feel bad but to challenge the status quo or make you think not to harm you, that’s the subtle difference in trolling and constructive criticism. What’s life without differences though, what one person may not like someone else will.

12.) Most, if not, all creative entrepreneurs have those who have influenced their work in one way or another, but how important do you think having a mentor is? 

Having a mentor is important, however a mentor doesn’t have to be an active person in your life. I think everyone has many mentors however, we give credit to the ones that have been an active party in our lives. In my life I have many mentors that may not know personally know me but their ambition and business moves and thought processes has helped me become who I am—great!

13.) In your opinion, what do you think the future of the fashion industry looks like? What trends do you see staying or going? What trends do you see possibly emerging and why?

14.) Since we’re in a world of instant gratification nowadays, what would you say to the creatives out there who want instant recognition but don’t necessarily want to put in the hard work? How much of an investment is needed in order to truly see some sort of success?

Great question! I was just speaking to a few associates regarding this instant success and gratification. I would say effort doesn’t have to be hard and hard work doesn’t have to be endless dreading effort! However, when thoughts have a lot to do with what we give out it’s challenging to always align our thoughts with our actions or vice versa so therefore sometimes there is a delay and within that delay lies our effort and strenuous investment of time, money, and or resources. But it makes thriving and succeeding even better. I would say all you have energy and time for is what’s needed, but don’t forget that instead of allowing a reason to give up, find a reason to keep going, it’s worth it! No matter what it’s worth it!

15.) Professionally, where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

Owning a manufacturing company where we mass produce for our brand and others from start to finish all while in housing our digital magazine and consulting firm in the same facility. I plan to grow and continue to open other businesses related to fashion and business in itself to help others become the best entrepreneur and corporation they can! I see money, I see luxury, I see stardom, and I see hard work with success. Fashion continuing to recreate and giving the world the “feeling.”