Exploring Life & Business with Donald J.H. of DONJAYY

Today we’d like to introduce you to Donald J.H.

Hi Donald, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My Creative Wonderland is a unique and unapologetic expression of my fashion styling, design, jewelry making, and creative direction. Revamping style and image. My journey is a remarkable story of perseverance and innovation, from my humble beginnings in a small town in the suburbs of New York to working with Vogue Australia in Los Angeles. Despite the challenges I’ve faced, my passion for fashion and my self-taught skills have enabled me to redefine the fashion landscape. With the support of my online audience, “The Dons,” I have inspired others with my consistent creative content.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I believe I can go on for days about the struggles along the way but I know the biggest challenge in my way was myself. I feel as a kid I knew I was going to be a fashion…something! Didn’t know what exactly was just yet but I knew it was a passion there. Growing up in a small town really put heavy expectation on what the average black boy is supposed to look and act like. Getting bullied majority of my life really made me ignore my talents and not focus on my dreams. It was up until the Pandemic when the world stopped and I’ve gotten the chance to explore me. I feel that’s the hardest thing to do was to embrace and explore yourself. I became the lone wolf. Being an African American homosexual was already a challenge within itself in my community with wanting acceptance through others. I had to break those expectations and accept me first. Seeing certain relationships, business partners, and situations not in my favor was damaging to my mental health. I overcame the odds of not only getting out of my small town back home, being the first to graduate high school then actually go to college but getting out of acceptance from others and putting me, myself and I first. It was all about teaching and learning, trial and error with my mind.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am a self taught Designer, that had no clue on what or how things were going to change my life. I started designing at 19 years old with a bunch of old garments I had lying around in my bedroom, bought a sewing machine earlier that day and had plans of making something. I wasn’t sure what I was going to make so I procrastinated all day till about 3am and decided to get on the machine. Little did I know this piece was going to be the piece to start my brand ‘DONJAYY’. Once I made the piece, I took photos with a model later that day then posted it to Instagram. The next day my piece reaches one of the biggest influencers “@Dearra” and she love to the piece and wants her own! I didn’t know how to even start a business or what I was doing but I knew I just had to do something. The day she decided to wear my first design was the day it went viral. I had no choice but to keep going! I realized along the way I am a self taught entrepreneur and born creative all around. That’s when more services came along such a wardrobe styling, content creation, photography, image consulting, jewelry designing and more! I specialize in reworking older clothing and creating new designs with them. I also specialize in jewelry designing and making everything by hand. I’m known for my multifaceted talents with anything involving fashion or image. This has set me apart from most because I believe my talents have created a wonderland of skills and creativity. I never limit myself on what I can do in this realm of work. Knowing how to actually design it’s own field but then knowing how piece clothes together uniquely and really know how to make that vision a force is special. I am most proud of how my Brand ‘DONJAYY’ has become more than just a brand, it’s a self branding alter ego, it’s a sense of style it is a wonderland of fashion. Leading me to be able to work with some of the greatest Stylist and Designers in the industry and also running a successful business. My wonderland (Brand) is more than any other fashion service because it’s expressive, unapologetic, an experience of never being captive to one style or look. It’s about waking up and being the main character regardless of the style. You can either receive 1 of 1 designs or me being your stylist that can bring you a 1 of 1 style. I offer multiple different services involving image. From designing and styling to content creating and being a creative director.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t believe in luck, I believe I am blessed. I am a son of God. Christian to be exact and I believe this was my purpose for this life time. It was designed for me to be designing. No luck has a part in that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.donjayy.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/donjayy
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/donjayy
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@_donjayy?si=r_I-LYBcO32DGjr_

Image Credits
Coco Jones Image – Photographer Jacob Webster

Other
Photographers – Francis Shad, Stephany David, Juan Viera, Cozy Lens