'Original' Gangsta'

When it comes to discussions on creativity and business there's no person I'd rather talk to into the wee hours of the night with than my good friend Rakiyt Zakari. Her ideas on fashion, design and trends are about as good as they come. If you don't know about her work check her out. Ladies and Gents, Ms. Zakari. . .

1. Hey Rakiyt we've know and worked with each other for over a year and a half now, but for Threshold readers who aren't familiar with your work give them some insight - What's the 'Original David' brand about?

The Original David is about interpreting cultures in our own sarcastic way. Heightening and often poking fun at our differences through nostalgic and familiar references. There is an emotional connection that the Original David evokes. David symbolizes an iconic mentality.  The goal is to provide intelligent design that sparks dialogue, and builds bridges between ideas and aesthetics whose coexistence is unconventional. 

2. Before we actually start pushing further with more insight into what the Original David is about why did you decide to create and push this fashion idea/concept?

The Original David as a concept is about inclusion. My son's name is David and he (in my opinion) is the quintessential boy. He likes to draw, play, rough house, imagine he's in real life karate battles. . .that sort of thing. Like most kids he holds an unbiased honesty in his opinion and the way he sees people; a new friend is a new friend regardless of their hair, dress, accent, etc. This idea of simplistic acceptance was the foundation of the Original David, but also I noticed an annoying trend toward political correctness that was making it hard for people to understand that though we're all the same, we're different and that's okay.  My idea was to take all of those things and passively display my opinion on the matter in a way that was a little controversial but still approachable.

3. When you see the Original David pieces either being worn by your fans or in fashion magazines there is no mistaking it. In your own words what makes the Original David pieces "original?"

Aesthetic and subject. The designs themselves brand the line. I may take a familiar subject but apply The Original David characters in a way that so infuses David with said subject that I create it's own identity.  Every piece is hand made, which is another difference between the high turnover, mass production driven fashion industry.  T-shirts are common because everybody wears them. They may be the must humble article of clothing, but my approach is to make it a piece that people will value. Artists paint on canvas, it's not the surface that makes the art, it's the artist's skill, their message, and the entire composition, that makes it valuable and appealing.  Graffiti artists have concrete, chef's have plates. . .regardless of the frame the proof is in the pudding.

4. People are and always will be enamored with the world of fashion. It's creative, it's sexy, it's chic. But there is always the "untold story."  What's the biggest misconception about the 'design world' from your perspective?

The untold story is that this is hard work and for many of us its a very vulnerable existence. In an office you don't get fired if you don't highlight and embolden your spreadsheet properly.  In this industry though, it's up to you to tow the line between being creative and also marketable. Sometimes as artists it's hard to deal with rejection.  For many of us the personal connection between our work and ourselves is so great that a dismissal of our work is a dismissal of a part of us.  I think that focused creativity may be the hardest task for some of us to master.

The Fashion industry draws in people that are looking for a certain lifestyle, and while that life can be fun, sexy and very exciting, that all comes at a price. You have to have a real job. Fashion is a real job.  This point is something I think people tend to forget.  It's a multi-billion dollar industry that drives whole communities for entire countries, manufacturing significantly effects their economies. These are the sides of the industry not draped in chiffon and champagne, it is the reality behind fashion and apparel.  

5. Now if my memory serves me correct Tim Gunn of Project Runway and Andre Leon Talley (fashion icon and editor-at-large of Vogue magazine) are fans of the Original David. How did that happen?

I met Tim during my failed Project Runway tryout. He and a panel including Daniel Vosovic from Project Runway were reviewing my dresses, and weren't particularly impressed. . .but what they all agreed on was that they loved the shirt I was wearing. They advised me to take it to the next level. This was around 2005. 

I had previously met Andre at a a book signing in Washington DC.  He is extremely witty and does not mince words when professing his like or dislike for your fashion choices. Lucky for me he liked my shoes. Then I met him again at this event and was responsible for taking pictures of the models before the show and had looked down at my camera, then back at him, I was like "What? Ooooh, man I don't want to take your picture, I want to give you shirt." When he saw the shirt he was like "OOH LET'S TAKE PICTURES!!" Anyway he said he loved it and wanted my information to contact me.

6. In the market place social media is all the rave and everyone is talking about how to leverage online networks like Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter for marketing purposes. What's your opinion on this? 

I think that all of these mediums play support to tried and true marketing principles. The medium may be different but if you have a mundane, uninteresting message, service or product - over saturating social media with mediocrity will not give it legs.  I feel that used properly these networks can help give you quick visibility to a large community.  The instant access and virtual nature of these mediums also shortens the life of products. The public's attention span is down to milliseconds. I think there is a direct correlation between this attention deficit and the social networking phenomena. Of Linkedin, Facebook and Twitter, I would probably rank them in this order of usefulness. 

• 1. Linkedin- great for self promotion and company research
• 2. Facebook - good for creating a community around a brand
• 3. Twitter. . . . "ummm" Not for business

7.  You've been in the game for years now.  What one piece of advice would you give newcomers trying to make their mark in the fashion world.

“Do something else! There’s enough competition out there already without all you fresh creative hot rods throwing your ballot into the mix!!” Seriously, I advise that they have an understanding of business as well as fashion. It is important to know what’s going on in the business world, because it let’s you know who you’re up against and how to stay abreast of what’s going on in competing industries. Fashion is a great field in that it can cross over into many other industries, so just knowing what’s going on between the pages of Vogue, isn’t going to cut it any more. I would also say to designers, be original, realistic, and make sure you have tough skin… it may be a monogrammed Louis Vuitton vintage leather tough skin, but you’re going to need it.