Today we’d like to introduce you to Donny Diaz.
Hi Donny, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m originally from right outside of Tampa, FL. I went to college and got my bachelor’s degree in exercise science. Three days after my graduation (May 2017), I drove from Tampa to LA because I knew I really wanted to hear (and just to get out of Florida since I was there practically my whole life). Eventually started training at a gym, but I knew that wasn’t something I wanted to do forever. I was always interested in fashion but never pursued anything until around April 2019. That April, I read a book called “The Artisan Soul” by Erwin Raphael McManus that really changed my whole perspective on life and myself. The book really encouraged me that I was creative, or an artist, when I never viewed myself as creative, and now I know that everyone is creative, in fact we were created to create. So basically, that book gave me the revelation that I needed to do something more creative with my life, so I quit my job at the gym and began my fashion journey. Started of doing little styling gigs (it help a lot that my wife had been styling for about eight years at that time so she really hooked it up).
While styling, I got an internship with a smaller high-end fashion brand based Downtown. Interned there for about 1.5 years, and through that internship I really learned the ins and outs of the industry, made solid connections, etc. Then Covid hit and we were all stuck at home, so I took that opportunity to be creative and learn some more and even took an online pattern making class through a community college with a good fashion design program here in LA in June 2020. Right after that class was when I felt like it was time to finally work on my own collection. Pretty much from July 2020 – Feb 2021, I took the time developing and refining my collection. I wanted to create luxurious basic pieces that I believe should be in everybody’s closet. Things you could wear on a daily basis, with unmatched quality and comfort. Pieces with so much thought and detail, yet so subtle and quiet. Garments made of the best fabrics and modern silhouettes at an attainable price. Finally on 3/22/21, I officially launched my brand and collection, and can’t wait to be able to create more in the future!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely wasn’t a smooth road, but that doesn’t mean that it was a bad time either, haha. Just a lot of learning and adapting. Trial and error. A lot of growing myself personally and professionally now that I have to handle things on the business side of things as well, and that’s a whole different ball game. Also, I feel like it wasn’t super “smooth” just because of my meticulousness and attention to detail ranging from different fabrics that I messed around with to different fits and drapes of the garments, to even as little at the actual color and different wash processes done to the garments. Every little detail is so important to me that I really want it to be it’s absolute best.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I wanted to create luxurious basic pieces that I believe should be in everybody’s closet. Things you could wear on a daily basis, with unmatched quality and comfort. Pieces with so much thought and detail, yet so subtle and quiet. Garments made of the best fabrics and modern silhouettes at an attainable price. I started this luxurious lifestyle/streetwear-inspired fashion brand because I felt like there were pieces missing in the market. Anytime I would buy a shirt or something, I would think to myself “This is really cool, but I want it to fit different this way, or I would do this differently.” Since I always wanted to make these little adjustments to garments, I figured the best way for me to solve the issue was just for me to start making my own pieces so they can fit exactly how I wanted them to. Semi selfishly, but I figured if I wanted these changes then maybe others would appreciate them too. I also wanted to use the highest quality fabrics so that not only do they fit great, but the quality was amazing too. But not only just the quality and fit, but the final piece of the puzzle was the price point. I definitely didn’t want things to be cheap, but I wanted them to be the best quality that is still at an attainable price. It still might be a slightly higher price that most are used to paying, but the quality easily makes it worth every dollar. Instead of paying $220+ for designer T-shirts, I wanted to find a solid $80-120 price range but still compete with these designer brands in quality, and I now can happily say that I have done so.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up as a 2nd Generation Immigrant was a very interesting dynamic. My parents moved to the US from the Dominican Republic in the late 80s. Moving here away from friends and family, not much money, and barely even knowing the English language, my parents definitely went through their fair share of struggles. I learned the importance of hard work and perseverance through them. I wish I was able to say that I picked up on their work ethic early on, but that’s definitely not the case, haha. I was always, and still am, more laid back/carefree/go with the flow, but it wasn’t until recently (like the past year and a half) that I started being more disciplined with my life. I always loved sports (my favorite is basketball), which is why I went to school for exercise science. Also really love music, whether that is just listening or playing piano/guitar and singing.
Pricing:
- Supima Cotton Boxy Tee – $97
- Nylon Reversible Shorts – $107
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.donnydiaz-la.com
- Instagram: @donnydiaz.la
Image Credits:
Josh Escandon Alizabeth Bean
