Today we’d like to introduce you to Devon Holloway.
Devon, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born and raised in Boston. Roxbury, MA to be exact. It’s a large part of who I am but I decided to make the cross country move just over two years ago. In order dive deeper into the creative fashion scene on the west coast. I love my east coast roots, but a large part of me has always been drawn to California. I went to school for Graphic Design and shortly after graduating began freelancing for a few different brands. After working for a number of them I realized I wanted to start my own. I’m driven by creativity naturally but my true passion lies in fashion. The rush that comes from pairing different garments together any given day is amazing. Plus its ability to reach people of different cultures is incredible. People who come from vast backgrounds can communicate, learn and bond through fashion.
Has it been a smooth road?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve learned as a creative and business owner along the way is not basing my self worth in the success of the business. Especially starting out because business is always tough in the beginning. You are trying to break into an industry that has seen a lot. You are trying to put your unique spin on it in order to tell your story. Take your time with it and stay true to what it is that drives you.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
The business began in Boston, MA. It began initially as a t-shirt company. I wanted to create a way to unify those around me in a simple way. A way that was visual and was also a conversation starter. We quickly realized the gravity of what we were doing and that it was something we wanted to share with others even outside of our community. Now we’ve branched into a range of clothing and apparel. We also partner with community organizations in order to put on events or initiatives to help those less fortunate. It’s important for us integrate fashion with positive messaging. It’s the idea that fashion can be more than just a certain aesthetic. It can create a conversation of change across many different backgrounds.
What we’re most proud of is being able to inspire others in the community to be agents of change. When we first set out to do our homeless supply giveaway there were only a few of us. Now the more we do it, the more people want to join and help out! It’s something that is far bigger than we are and its about reaching people to build a real connection. What sets Hope Design apart from other clothing brands is it’s truly homegrown. It’s built from a family structure and not what is deemed the ideal image in today’s society. I wanted to take the values and lessons I grew up with as a kid in my neighborhood and let that shine through the clothing. It’s something that it isn’t highlighted often but it’s universal. When we talk about the things that are at our core we begin to realize we have far more in common than we know. We can bond over our similarities and begin to embrace our differences.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yes, I do believe our city is a great place for business. The biggest reason is the diversity that we have throughout the communities. There are many different walks of life in a small area. There are people to talk to, people to collaborate with, and people to learn from all over. I’ve found that by branching out you can find people with similar goals and missions that can help out in many ways. I’d recommend them starting here and I’d let them know to be daring and to put themselves out there. We truly never know who we’ll come across until we begin to interact with others.
Contact Info:
- Website: hopedesign.work
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: _hopedesign
Image Credit:
Ellyx Ferguson and Soraya Anderson.
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