Interview with Jon Rashawn
Northernstar
Northernstar@excapethematrix.com
On Saturday November 17, 2007, I met up with 20 year-old up and coming Baltimore born fashion designer, Jon Rashawn, while preparing for a promotional photo shoot for his December 15, 2007 photo shoot. It was an honor to have this interview, considering I was one of the models in the shoot. Everyone in the shoot was very professional and everything started on time.
NorthernStar: Hello, how are you today?
Jon Rashawn: I am good, and yourself?
NorthernStar: I’m well. So I hear this is your second fashion show but the first show you've headlined, right? Tell me about the experience, and how do you maintain to stay focused?
Jon Rashawn: Yes, this will be my second runway presentation. I’m so excited and nervous. I'm working so hard to give a new look to my audience. The feeling is so overwhelming for me. There is so much competition in this industry, and I believe as a designer I’m learning more every day and growing. Being around positive people is what keeps me focused and loving what I do. Especially my parents, they support me 100% in everything I do and I look up to them. They're such perfectionists. (Laughs)
NorthernStar: Wow, we have perfectionists in the family, huh? (Laughs) When did you first realize you wanted to design clothes and what motivated you at that time?
Jon Rashawn: Well I've always been very artistic. I’ve always loved arts and craft projects, and it reserved me and I stayed out of trouble. In my 8th grade home economics class, we worked on a pillow making project for Valentine’s Day, and I discovered I knew how to sew and how good I was. After school one day I looked at my mom and said "buy me a sewing machine." (Laughs) She thought I was crazy, so I actually saved up for weeks and one day decided to catch the bus miles away on my own to buy me a sewing machine. I actually sat and studied the manual to the machine.
NorthernStar: I hear that, sacrificing your own money to get what you want and getting your first start. Okay, so you became interested and motivated at a young age, so tell me what motivates you NOW and why?
Jon Rashawn: My biggest motivation now would be my associates. So many of my peers on the wrong track, and I want to go against the grain and set a name for myself. I feel like someone out of the bunch has to come out on top, and I want to be that person. As an African-American male, I think I have to prove I am someone with dreams that will come true, and it’s sad that many people look down on us, but I choose not to be a statistic.
“… I want to go against the grain and set a name for myself.”
NorthernStar: SPEAK ON
IT!!! I feel you on everything you’re saying,
especially me being an African-American male as well and trying to make it as a
writer. I feel you!!! And many people didn’t see eye to eye with me about my
career choice when I first approached them about it. So my question is, was your
family always supportive of your career choice?
Jon Rashawn: No, not at the beginning. They wanted me to pursue a career in culinary arts because I can cook. As a matter of fact, I throw down in the kitchen. (Laughs)
NorthernStar: Maybe you should cook for me. (Laughs)
Jon Rashawn: (Laughs) But it’s not a thing I had a passion for. But when I started standing up for myself and voicing my opinions with my family about the situation, they pretty much stuck by me and supported what I do.
NorthernStar: Oh, okay. The line is entitled "Illusions Inc." What inspires the name and what does it mean to you?
Jon Rashawn: First, let me tell you (pauses) I have one crazy imagination. I just sit around and day dream all day of what I could design next. Most designers stick with one style, I try to be versatile with my designing because I think of it as changing a pair of underwear. (Laughs) I wanted a name for my line to represent the switching of my styles, and came up with “ILLUSIONS.” My garments have a magical feel to [them], very couture. I love to experiment with shapes, color and texture. Illusion to me is something that is there one minute, but gone the next.
NorthernStar: More like a “disappearing act?”
Jon Rashawn: Exactly! My styles of my garments change very often. One look it’s there, the next minute, gone.
NorthernStar: Did you ever attend school for fashion?
Jon Rashawn: Yes. I started out at Baltimore City Community College directly after high school. I didn’t feel like it was a place where I could grow as an artist, so I transferred to the Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta, Georgia. It was SO amazing being there, and it’s such a beautiful campus. The professors are the best, and I felt like a superstar while learning. It was also a place where I felt like I could network with people in the industry. I was also the first in the family to attend a four year institution out of state, so I was very excited to get away and break the barrier.
NorthernStar: Okay, good stuff. Describe your line in three words. And what style of clothes does your line consist of?
Jon Rashawn: Magical, refreshing, sassy. My line consists of all types of men's and women's garments. My favorite garment to make is underwear. I’m such an underwear freak; you’re just not living right if you don't have hot undergarments (Laughs).
NorthernStar: (Laughs) You are so silly. What designers inspire you and why?
Jon Rashawn: My favorite two lines are “D'squared” and “Victoria's Secret.” I look up to D'squared on a business aspect because they are very family oriented. It’s nothing like having your family involved in what you do. If you are to ever crash or fall on your face, they are the ones who lift you up and push you back in the right direction. Victoria's Secret…wow such beautiful women (laughs). No, but I design a lot of undergarments and I look up to them because my sense of style is very similar to theirs. Very colorful, magical and happy!
NorthernStar: Is there any celebrity whose closet you would like to raid and dress them up yourself?
Jon Rashawn: Yes, two people actually. The first being Britney Spears; if she can't make a good comeback singing, why not just have a sickening outfit to walk around in (laughs)? Maybe she would feel a little better, you know, self confident (laughs). The second would be Janet Jackson, the greatest! I love Janet! I can't even express to you my love for her. I'd actually ask to marry her rather than dress her.
“I think if you have a look no one else is rocking, then you’re the greatest!”
NorthernStar: (Laughs) Now that is funny. I don’t think Jermaine would like that! What celebrities do you admire most for their sense of style?
Jon
Rashawn: I think Beyonce and Kanye West are killing. They are so amazing when it
comes to versatility with their styles. They both are trendsetters, meaning they
are inventing styles and new trends that everyone wants. They are stunning; I
wouldn’t mind raiding a few outfits from Kanye’s closet (laugh).
NorthernStar: You know what? I might have to agree. Kanye’s style is hot. Speaking of style, what does it mean to you, and do you think everyone has their own sense of style?
Jon Rashawn: Style is being different. I think if you have a look no one else is rocking, then you’re the greatest! Honestly, I don’t think anyone has their own style. There are so many people mimicking and trying to be like someone else, especially with the rebirth the 80’s-90's look. Everyone dresses the same. But that’s what I’ve been put on earth for (laughs).
NorthernStar: Before I close this interview out, I’m going to ask this last question.
Jon Rashawn: Okay…
NorthernStar: If you had a time machine and you could go back in any place or time, what time would it be and why?
Jon Rashawn: I would go back to the Garden of Eden. How hot would that be to walk the earth nude? And talk about trendsetting! Garments out of leaves....pshhhh…how hot!
NorthernStar: Jesus, you are hilarious! Well, it was a pleasure interviewing you. I would love to do this again.
Jon Rashawn: Thank you. It was a pleasure as well.
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