Today we’d like to introduce you to Danietté Thomas.
Hi Danietté, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I truly started at age 11. After completing school work, I would sketch clothing not available in the local stores. It wasn’t until one of my teachers took interest in what I was sketching that I learned it was possible to make the clothing I drew.
It was just a way of putting what I imagined on paper, so I could remember the ideas the next time my mom took me school shopping, but by the end of that day, I knew I wanted to be a fashion designer. I immediately fell in love with the idea of my sketches going from 2D to 3D, on people everywhere. May 2015, I accomplished a lifetime goal of graduating from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a BFA in Fashion and a Minor in Accessories.
I started a custom fashion design business after receiving a few inquiries summer of 2015. It’s grown beyond anything I would have ever imagined back then. Now in 2021, I’ve opened my own design house, that also serves as a design studio, event venue, and classroom for those learning to sew. House of DANIETTÉ is Savannah’s first design house, and I’m honored to be a part of this historical city’s history.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Absolutely not smooth. I could talk about my struggles for hours, and they truly stem from childhood, but one of the bigger ones was probably the one that didn’t realize/solve until last year (2020) in the pandemic. Growing up as a black millennial creative on the west side of Savannah, GA, while attending schools on Wilmington Island, kept me in rooms where I never was truly “accepted”.
The problem with being told “you talk too white” or “you’re not black enough” or “because you’re black you won’t be able to attend SCAD” or even now “because you stayed in Savannah, GA, you’ll never be supported the way other SCAD Alum has been who left” I got used to never being enough when around “friends” and even more so used to them picking on me for things that were either out of my control or what truly set me apart from others (in a good way). This literally stayed with me until age 29, and not only affected the way I promoted my business, but rather I even bring up my career, accomplishments, and abilities when I’m in a room filled with others who do.
For years, I never knew how to properly attend networking events, out of a subconscious fear that I’ll be picked on, or talked about after introducing myself to someone. It wasn’t until I started walking in rooms where people saw and recognized my talent, and therefore VALUED ME, that I began to walk out of the rooms where I was UNDERVALUED. This to date has been m biggest struggle, even to this day I have to X-ray every room I enter to ensure my actions or reactions are not triggers from my past, of being undervalued.
I do truly believe that I am amongst MANY black creatives that have experienced or are experiencing the same thing, and I want someone, anyone, and everyone to be encouraged to know, there is peace and acceptance for you, when you leave those rooms.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
DANIETTÉ Is a custom fashion design brand that offers designs ranging from bridal gowns to professional attire, to children’s costumes. As a luxury brand, DANIETTÉ takes pride in exclusivity, tailoring, and elevation. The brand’s mission is to visually elevate professionals and executives walking into purpose every day, and it does this by use of custom apparel design, styling, and creative direction.
Empowering people is something that comes naturally for the brand’s owner/founder D.Thomas, as she communicates to her customer, what people see when they see you, that they will never tell you. Some good, some bad, but she advises you based on what you want to be known for. Brand wise, D.Thomas is most proud that her brand is self-made, it literally started in the front part of her home in 2015, and now works out of a 3000 square foot vintage home, in the Victorian District, with four employees, working hard to create more creative careers, right here, in Savannah, GA.
What sets D.Thomas apart from others as a person and the owner of this brand is her tunnel vision and resilience. The tunnel vision allows her to work towards her own high standards as opposed to the low ones set in her industry, blowing most of her following away for originality and innovation. The resilience started at a young age to prove any and everyone wrong that tried to block her blessing in the midst of her dreaming and growing.
What does success mean to you?
Peace, control in chaos, faith, wealth, and balance.
Pricing:
- Custom Bridal – $3000 & Up
- Custom Evening Wear – $1500 & Up
- Custom Suiting & Professional Attire – $1000 & Up
- Custom Prom Attire – $800 & Up
- Custom Ready to Wear – $500 & Up
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.daniette.com
- Instagram: @DESIGNERDANIETTE
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/designerdaniette
- Twitter: https://www.instagram.com/designerdaniette/
Image Credits
Ryan Rish, Ezra The Photographer, and Daniel Meadows Photography
