Today we’d like to introduce you to Ian Clark and Tony Stevenson.
Hi Ian and Tony, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Ian Clark: Hi, my name is Ian Clark. I am the founder and creative director of House of Orange. A luxury clothing brand that creates collections based on personal experiences. I run the brand with my business partner Tony Stevenson. I enjoy telling stories through different mediums to inspire others to tell their story as well. The brand was started in 2017 and we have released 7 total collections since then. I have always been interested in fashion and the idea of being able to take an idea in my head and create a tangible product.
The brand has been worn by some amazing artists and entertainers and has been featured on some very well-known platforms like The Breakfast Club, The Joe Budden Podcast, The Rory & Mall Podcast and we have also collaborated with Sprite. This past summer we threw our first fashion event at the Peppermint Club in West Hollywood. I am very appreciative of everyone who came out and enjoyed themselves. Means the world! The goal for House of Orange in the future is to be able to jump into other spaces like Art, Technology, and Film. I look at each room in this house as a different medium to express myself.
My life has drastically changed within the last year. I am currently a graduate student at Carnegie Mellon University studying Design. Everything up to this point was self-taught and I made decisions off what I felt was right. I think it’s important for me to learn how to design and why certain things are considered great design or not. I have always believed that no matter what you are designing, the foundational principles are the same because you are designing for a human being. That one common denominator transcends all industries. Once you understand how we as humans think it’s like a cheat code.
Tony Stevenson: Hi, my name is Tony but I go by Tone. Ever since I was a kid I’ve had an interest in style and fashion. But a lot of it had to do with my older sister. She would tell my mom what clothes/brands to buy me and when I would go to school or out I’d get hella compliments. This gave me confidence and sort of where my love for fashion stemmed from.
Alright, 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?
Ian Clark: It has not been smooth at all but I look at that as a good thing. It means that I am pushing myself and putting myself in situations that are uncomfortable. There’s no rubric or step-by-step formula to becoming successful. You have to learn to live in ambiguity and embrace hard work. I will say there are things that you will encounter that will test you. There are going to be times when you doubt yourself and it feels like everything you are doing is wrong but that’s normal. You have to keep going, you have to remain humble and faithful through it all.
Now that I am back in school at one of the top design programs in the country it’s been challenging in different ways but I am still thankful for the opportunity. It’s been interesting getting back into the flow of things and I can admit I struggled in the beginning. Moving to the east coast and getting adjusted to a new city, new people, and the weather. I am from LA, so this cold weather is different. I am the only black person in my program, so for me, I am using this opportunity to show people who look like me that it’s possible. We belong in these spaces where innovative things are happening within the STEM and design community.
Tony Stevenson: Lol, no definitely not, being in this creative space has challenged me in more ways than one. For me, the first one that comes to mind is staying grounded mentally and emotionally. This has been difficult for me and is something I’m always trying to work on. From being too hard on myself and the brand at large. As far as what I deem as successful and not living up to that. So trying to stay motivated and level-headed at these moments in time. So I guess just not beating myself up when things don’t go how I’d hope for them to go and not getting too cocky when things do. It’s a constant balancing act.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Ian Clark: I am known as a designer who loves to create. I love to create anything from a piece of clothing to the next technological innovation that could possibly help the next generation. I know that sounds a little futuristic lol but I am serious. Whatever comes into my mind I want to be able to create and accompany it with a story that inspires. I believe the one thing that sets me apart from others is my ability to tell very unique stories and draw from personal experiences. Everything you have seen thus far has been a small glimpse of what I can do and it’s only going to get bigger and better.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Tony Stevenson: Well I think what a lot of people don’t know is that I’m a Software Engineer. People who only know me as a creative are normally shocked to find out that I also have a technical background.
Ian Clark: That’s a great question. I am not sure, I think the people who really know me know that I love to joke around lol. I love to laugh and I would think I am kinda funny but I guess you would have to ask my closest friends. I have personally experienced certain things that have shown me how fragile life is and how it’s important to enjoy every moment of it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hoforange.com
- Instagram: I__clark & Toneyoon
