Today we’d like to introduce you to Shan Latris Warren.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Shan Latris. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve always credited becoming a fashion designer to Tina Knowles-Lawson and Kimora Lee Simmons. When Destiny’s Child’s first album released, I was drawn to the cohesive designs that Mrs. Knowles-Lawson created for them. At 12 years old, I started watching award shows they attended just so I could see and redesign their red carpet looks in my sketch pad. From there, I began using a hot glue gun to alter my clothing in high school. I didn’t know how to sew. So I didn’t focus on my dreams of designing.
I became focused on theater, dance, and modeling. That is until senior year when the pressure hit to choose a college major. Fashion had remained something I loved and I wanted it as a career. Back then, design wasn’t popular the way it is now (especially in my small town in Alabama) so I didn’t know where to learn about it. In addition to that, I come from a family of health professionals and pastors. Declaring my dreams made me the “oddball” and the target of “How will you make money doing that?” lectures. Although I wanted to pursue fashion, I did not do so right away. Coming from a single-parent home with the need to make money, I settled into pursuing a degree that would start me making money easier and sooner.
Three years later, I decided I had to pursue my dream after randomly reading an inspirational book. At this time, I looked to Kimora Lee Simmons for guidance. She wasn’t just a designer. I saw that she was a mogul, a mother, a brand on every level, and a powerhouse. She was what I was told to change about myself growing up which was assertive and confident in my convictions. That made her the blueprint for me as a WOMAN in business.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all and there are too many reasons why to name here lol! So, I’ll share what I feel I am struggling with at the moment and that would be having to learn how to operate my brand as I go. It takes a lot of trial and error which gets expensive, but it’s the only way to learn unless you have someone guiding you. Although I have a degree in design, I learned that being an artist of any sort is only 10% art and 90% business. In my case, it’s not just business. we’re talking the business of fashion here! I never had the opportunity to intern in order to learn how to operate a fashion brand.
I’ve done so many shows and met so many industry pros that people assume that I’m able to turn to those connections for guidance. Truth is, that has not been the case and that’s to be expected in most situations. Everyone is busy building themselves so I couldn’t even get a response. I understood that, but because of that experience, I try to make time to help others when I can. That’s why I’m so excited that I was chosen to be one of the virtual mentors to The University of Alabama’s senior fashion class. My “mentee” probably thinks I talk too much, but it’s just me being thorough and helpful the way I wish someone had with me. The silver lining is that in the end, I’ll get to join the great list of those who built their dreams from the ground up.
Please tell us more about your work. What should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My fashion label is called Shan Latris (Lah.Treese). Under the Shan Latris label, I design/sew collections from sketch to production-ready samples. With each collection, I aim to create distinctive designs that fuel women with a strong sense of empowerment, confidence, and style. As an artist, I think what sets me apart from others is my passion. True passion is rare in a time when everything is about attention, likes and follows. However, I’d do this if no one saw my work and if I didn’t make any money doing it. Which I have. Fortunately, God has blessed me to increase my customer base, be featured on television stations, and magazines across the country.
As a freelance designer, I am also proud of one of the charitable acts that I do each year and that’s giving away a free prom gown to a girl in need. I allow them to design their gown along with me and I custom make their dream gown. Sometimes, I just pick a girl that I feel drawn to help and no one ever knows about it or I open it to the public to enter contest style. It’s something I started doing because I remember how expensive my senior year was for my Mom. I love kids and I feel they deserve to feel and look great on prom night. It’s a night they’ll never get back and the ability to afford it should not be a stress factor for them.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
It’s hard to pinpoint one moment, but the most recent was getting to dress one of the Braxton sisters, Trina. I was fortunate enough to have her in my brand a few times while hosting TV One’s Sister Circle. I’ve had a number of celebrity stylists contact me for wardrobe, but it’s always different when it’s for someone you actually watch on television regularly. I love SC and her family’s show, Braxton Family Values, so it was great to see her in my brand. My Mom has a lot of sisters with one brother like the Braxtons, but they don’t do anything Lol! I always tell her, “Mom, If I had sisters around my age like you, we’d be hanging out and having fun like the Braxton sisters!” Lol!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ShanLatris.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DemandShanLatris/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DemandShanLatris/
Image Credit:
Derrick Curry of CameraPlay Photography
Ro Monroe Makeup Artistry
Models: Shaquala Courtland, Emilie Hope, Vaishnivi Sridhar, Lian Remley. Stephanie Perdomo
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