Designers Ev Bravado and Tela D’Amore both showed an early interest in fashion. It was only natural that once the duo joined forces, they built Who Decides War, one of fashion’s buzziest brands, together. Embraced by fashion favorites like model Alton Mason and celebrities including Ice Spice, the brand’s unique designs have been gaining traction. Often utilizing denim, the duo are experts in reworking traditional Americana designs through a youthful lens. Now showing on the New York Fashion Week calendar and as 2023 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists, Who Decides War continues on an upward trajectory.

Ahead of our Fashion Fund finale announcement at Vogue’s Forces of Fashion, get to know the finalists.

What is your earliest fashion memory?

Ev: I remember being in my dad’s tailor shop and it was the 1990s, so tailored button downs with the contrasting cuffs and collars were in. I was obsessed with this one client my dad had. His name was Doug and he had a million shirts in every color. I don’t know why I was so intrigued by it, but I loved the contrast.

Tela: Sewing pants with my mother in elementary school. Not being able to wear a pair of denim to school without letting out the bottom hem, because I was too tall, and the jeans were always too short.

What was your reaction to finding out you were a finalist? 

Ev: Everything in God’s timing. At the same time, we are so focused on cultivating our own world, it means a lot when someone takes notice of what we are doing and recognizes the community we have built around our label.

Tela: Shocked. And excitedly working harder in light of this fact. We don’t really acknowledge accolades or accomplishments much, but this one feels special.

How would you describe your label?

 Ev & Tela: Who Decides War redefines Americana through the lens of people of color. Our denim has often been referred to as “couture” because of the multilayered, complex process that goes into creating each pair, touched by many hands along the way. 

What is a specific area of focus you are looking for help with? 

Ev & Tela: Scaling in the right direction is the most important thing for us right now. Putting the right people in place who will take us to where we envision the brand to be in the next 100 years is the key. 

Is there a goal or milestone you would like to accomplish with your brand in the future? 

Ev & Tela: A store on the moon would be nice.

The 2023 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists will be announced at the 2023 Vogue Forces of Fashion on October 19th.