If you’re from New York City, you are familiar with the famous line: “Brooklyn keeps on taking it.” And yet again, Brooklyn scores! The borough has its hands deep in the pockets of fashion with no signs of letting go and we’re here for it! Take, for example, designer Undra Celeste. She is all about bold, chic, modern timeless pieces for the everyday woman who is not afraid to add a little spice to her wardrobe. Persevering through hard work and determination and crediting the women in her family as her main source of inspiration, Celeste is one of three Harlem’s Fashion Row talents to design a sneaker for Nike (The Lebron 16). The Founder and Creative Director of her signature brand is most definitely one to keep watching.
To whom or what do you owe your inspiration for designing a women’s wear line? And how did you get into knitwear?
My inspiration was sparked by the women in my family. I was raised in Brooklyn, but my mother, my aunts and grandmother came to this country from Guyana, and although in South America, it has a West Indian culture. I saw these women come to this country with virtually nothing and build. Some of my family were employed as domestics, and they embraced dancehall culture, but were not dancehall women. On the weekends, I saw them transform through dressing up. It was always that attitude that when you stepped out you must dress! The best way I can describe their sense of style was Diana Ross or Donna Summer fabulous! As a little girl I always looked up to them and they are always my inspiration when I am creating.
What led me to design knitwear pieces is my absolute love for its versatility, the color saturation, and how it feels against the skin. It’s comfortable and very luxurious.
What are your greatest challenges as an emerging designer?
The first is the obvious. When you are an emerging designer, unless you have resources in terms of finances, it makes everything harder. For a long time, I had a full-time job while running my company, and my job was my investor. That can be challenging because you have to make decisions regarding the way you live and be very super conscious in how you spend your money. I did it for a few years and it prepared me in advance, so as the business grows, I am always mindful of how the brand spends money. Another challenge getting pushed to the forefront is lack of access… Black designers haven’t had the access to industry, publications, and stylists. It was harder. I think now, as those barriers are coming down, you’re going to see an amazing array and rainbow of talent and design come to the forefront from designers of color.
What piece of advice or words of wisdom would you give to an emerging designer like yourself, that wants to be successful in the fashion industry?
The first piece of advice I would give is to just start. I think most people are crippled by the fear of what people will think. It’s not right. It’s not perfect. My website’s not perfect. My Instagram feed is not perfect. But you have to start! The sooner you start, the sooner the journey begins. Everyone says, and I agree, that it takes 10 years to be an overnight success, so why prolong the inevitable? You have to start the process and go through the process and don’t be afraid of the process. It’s so important for us to do things we are afraid to do and put ourselves out into the world. Even with the most successful fashion brands or any brand, you’re going to be judged. Everybody doesn’t love you. When you get to the point where you find your tribe and the people who love you, it’s far better and worth going through the process. Focus on the three P’s. Make sure your product is good, make sure you’re going through the process, whether it feels good or not, and make sure you connect with the right people.
IG: @undracelestenewyork
Web: www.undracelesteny.com
