Dejan Despotovic is making his name known in New York City. He already established himself as one of the best designers in Serbia (country that he comes from) but he left it all behind him continuing to build his brand in the Big Apple. His pieces play with fabrics, transparency, amazing cuts and they are in his favorite color – black. He says he creates in the dark inspired by classical music. Read the full interview to see what else he shared with us.
Tell us something about you that no one knows?
If I told you that then everybody would know…It’s easier like this…
How did you get interested in fashion design? Did you know from an early age that that’s what you wanted to do?
Yes, definitely. I always new that I want to become a fashion designer. Always loved art especialy fashion and painting.
Tell us about your label BLACK’D.What is the philosophy behind it?
BLACK’D was born with a simple idea. I always loved dress shirts and that is my favorite garment, and of course especially black color. Name Black’D is based on my kind of hidden, inner inspiration and my personal feelings. I work mostly in the dark, with a very little light, and I always listen to a classical music while working. I find my peace in the dark and the most beautiful pieces I made while being in the dark. So I wanted to transfer that feeling on other souls because if someone does not like the dark, I give to all of them the most beautiful parts of my “dark paradise”, my creations, my garments, my shirts… So every person who is wearing my shirts becomes “BLACK’D” with my imagination and something I created in the deep dark followed by phenomenal classical composers…
Is it hard starting your own label and what kind of challenges do you face?
I started my label 8 years ago in Belgrade, so now I am just continuing something I started many years ago. Everything is now happening in New York City, where I live and work and it is hard because this is a huge market with a LOT of talented people and you need to bring something different and to be consistent in creating your ideas. It takes time, but slowly if you really want it you can reach the top of the mountain.
Where do you find inspiration for your work?
I work with a lot of music and mood of the music gives me accents and different ideas… But of course my eternal inspiration is Dracula’s Bride, creatures from the dream and lady in black…..
What kind of people do you design for?
I create for everybody. Every person who finds himself in my creations is the person who I design for. I mean of course that that person needs to be strong, individual and ready to be seen.
If you could see any celebrity (dead or alive) wearing your clothes who would you choose and why?
I see a lot of them… I had luck to see one of my garments on Chelsea Wolfe. Her music has very big influence on my creativity and I was very happy when I saw her wearing my clothes.
Any designers whose work you respect and admire?
I really love fashion and I always want to see what other designers did, and Fashion Weeks are something that I’m really exited about and a lot of designers and their collections I like to see every season.
What would you say are the best and the worst side of living in NYC?
NYC can be very exciting and beautiful and it can be awful and very ugly, it depends on how you create your day and your habits. But It has the energy that gives you life and smile on your face and on the other side, at the end of the day you become tired because it eats your energy really quickly, but we all need to learn how to walk and how to play with NYC, and when u learn that you are the happiest person in the world. : )
Do you have a motto or a quote that motivates you and helps you get through life?
Everything can be done.
Where do you see yourself in five years from now?
Myself in NYC and my name all over the world.
Big thank you to Dejan for finding time for us in his busy schedule! We can’t wait to see more of his work and to rock some of his pieces! You can follow his work on Instagram for a daily dose of Black’d.
