Life & Work with Kyle Denman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyle Denman.

Hi Kyle, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today? 
“I’d lie in bed and think about the person that I wanted to be.” These lyrics were masterfully sung by Sabrina Bryan, one of my heroes and role models, in the hit Disney Channel Original Movie The Cheetah Girls. This simple line from the song “Cinderella” not only resonated on-screen in 2003 but has also resonated throughout my own life as I, too, have thought about what I have always wanted to do and who I have always wanted to be. 

I am an artist and designer whose mission is to ignite a culture of change through creativity and curiosity. With a background in political science, alternative education, and design, I aim to create social change through the work I do and the stories I share. Currently, I am the Executive Director of Arts Bridging the Gap, a Los Angeles County-wide social impact organization that uplifts the voices, self-expression, and identities of youth from underserved communities of color. Through our work, we create a safe space for young people to explore their creativity and imagination. We have painted over 80 youth-designed murals all across Los Angeles and serve thousands of young people annually. This work, combined with my work as a fashion designer, is paramount to my identity as an artist. I strive to use his own platform and privilege to create social change, share cultural narratives, and expand the creative economy. 

However, my story begins many years ago. I was born in Seoul, South Korea, and was adopted when I was three months old. I was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was always drawn to the arts. In fact, my family always told me that I “could draw before [I] could talk.” From sketching to painting to sculpting, I have always loved the arts. I would draw thousands of designs for the characters that I imagined in my head—characters whose stories I told through both writing and works of art. 

Before entering the fashion design industry, I was studying political science. Specifically, I was elected as the Youth Mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio. I wrote legislation and attended local and national conferences. I attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and graduated with a degree in political science. While there, I conducted research on the political participation of the millennial generation and also conducted research with the Scripps Gerontology Center and its Opening Minds Through Art program, where I researched the impact of the arts on people who have dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other neurocognitive disorders. It was at this point in my life that I saw how powerful art is and how it has such a profound and transformative effect on people, even at late stages in their lives. That is the point in my life in which I knew that I had to do something in art for the rest of my life. It might be wrong to say that I wanted to change people’s lives through art, but I think it’s safe to say that I at least wanted to use art as a catalyst for being a positive influence and for sharing stories to which people could relate. 

I asked myself what kind of art exists in everyone’s life—the answer was clear and all around me: fashion. With the support of my parents, I packed a suitcase and a backpack and flew from Cincinnati to Los Angeles to start the next chapter of my life. 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There have been numerous struggles throughout my journey. Initially entering the fashion design industry immediately after leaving my career in political science, I was struck with an immense amount of self-doubt. Compared to my peers and colleagues, I had very minimal design experience, little to no sewing experience, and very few connections in my network. However, I worked diligently. I hustled. I networked. I never gave up. 

And it all paid off. With a huge amount of support from my family and mentors, I had the courage to keep going. I had the courage to become that person that I dreamt about being years before. I am fortunate to have been able to surround myself with people who care about me and my work and who believe in my mission. 

Ultimately, the biggest obstacle has been my own self-doubt. However, after being recognized as the 2021 International Fashion Designer of the Year and on the inaugural Forbes 30 Under 30 Los Angeles list, I began to finally recognize my talent and my passion for fashion and the arts. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As an artist and fashion designer, I am known for my avant-garde style, unique architectural silhouettes, and the emotional narratives woven into my creations. I believe that fashion is the most powerful art that exists–it is the intersection of design, movement, and architecture juxtaposed in social, political, and cultural contexts. Fashion is expression, communication, and activism. It is inherently political yet neutral, communal yet personalized, and silent yet loud. That’s what I love about fashion; it is paradoxical and so nuanced, just like the human experience. 

If I am working on a runway collection or a personal project, I begin my creative process with a question. I ask myself, “What story do I want to tell?” Once I have that answer, I begin my research. I find quotes and images relating to my chosen story, research historical events and literature if applicable, and place my findings in an inspiration journal. Then, I will start finding fabric swatches, begin sketching, and drape silhouettes. In my process, I also write a short essay about the theme and intention of my collection. This allows me to refer back to what I wrote as I get deeper into the creative process and ensure that each look in the collection remains relevant and coherent with the overall theme. 

I am most proud of my collection, “mul·ti·po·lar—ex·ist·ence,” which premiered at New York Fashion Week in 2021 and earned me the recognition of International Fashion Designer of the Year. This collection was very special to me and dedicated to someone I will forever consider to be my soulmate. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
This is a hard question! I definitely consider myself lucky to have experienced a lot of amazing things, to have met people who believe in me and my art, and to have been given the opportunities which have changed my life. 

I also believe that by putting positive energy into the world, a person will attract that same positive energy. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kyledenmanfashion.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/thekyledenman
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/kyledenman