Dallas Designer Charles Smith II Wins a Major Fashion Competition

On June 9, the Charles Smith II was introduced as the winner of OnlyFans Artistic Fund: Fashion Version. The Dallas-centered style designer received the $50,000 grand prize awarded by the subscription-based mostly streaming platform. Smith II competed from five fashion designers and stylists to protected the coveted prize.

The Harlem-born, Dallas-based mostly designer started his vocation in trend by modeling for substantial manner models in Milan. His expertise in the trend field sharpened his eye for style and design. In 2017, he joined the inaugural course of designers at the St. Louis Vogue Fund. Although there, Smith II met the famous André Leon Talley, who served as a mentor to Smith II right before he handed. Grammy winner Solange Knowles, Bobby Sessions, Emmy winner Karrueche Tran, Zoe Kravitz and extra noteworthy famous people have worn Smith II’s styles.

He is the 1st to win the stateside edition of the competitors series. The initially iteration was primarily based in the United Kingdom and concentrated on the tunes sector. The American variation centered on the vogue business. Creators and designers had been judged by a movie star panel of stylists Legislation Roach and Maeve Reilly, as well as make-up artist Sir John. Trend designer Rebecca Minkoff served as a mentor to the grand prize winner, Charles Smith II, very first runner up-winner, Lee Rickie and 2nd runner-up winner, Mario Miguelito.

Shortly just before his get, Smith spoke to D Journal about why he used for the collection and designs for the grand prize.

The job interview has been edited for clarity.

Your brand has gained coverage in regional, state, countrywide and global publications. What influenced you to enter this competitors?

In order to scale your company into the next section, it usually takes money. I have tried out for a few level of competition series like Project Runway and Making The Lower, but COVID threw a wrench in that for me. Those chances did not go through. I have normally been a believer of what’s meant for is meant for you. My close friend sent me the submission the working day just before it was owing. I nearly did not for the reason that submissions are a long, exhausting procedure. But I reminded myself to hold likely. I felt very good about it following I used. I advised myself, if I get this, specially knowledge the power of Tv set, it can be a device and a very resourceful matter for your system.

Following you submitted your on the net application, what was the rest of the system until you landed in Los Angeles for the in-human being competitiveness?

A week and a 50 % later, I was explained to I designed it to the semi-finals. They asked me if I was equipped to journey to LA. A week immediately after that, I jumped on a Zoom call with the producers. They required to get a perception of my character. On the Zoom call, I was able to speak about myself and my model. I have a great comprehension of what me acquiring into layout was. For me, this was a calling.

Staying equipped to use trend as the vessel that permits me to acquire anything shiny to get people’s consideration, and then bring it about to something important. When I comprehended which is what the contacting was calling me to do with this, it made it much easier for me to chat about it. I definitely fully grasp what I’m accomplishing with manner and the place I’m heading with it. Each component of the vision given that I started out has occur true, precisely to the T, of what I currently saw.

When you built it to LA, tell me about the completion? Did you have any anticipations?

I never go into just about anything with expectations for the reason that I truly feel which is how you get into your head. Which is how you begin receiving in your way and lose. I’m not in the company of dropping. At the conclusion of the day, it’s meant for me to go with what I know and to bear in mind that is in this situation no 1 knows who you are, and just solution it in a humble way. My town could know who I am but when you imagine about Tv is a distinct circumstance.

The lights, manufacturing, and cameras will intimidate specific people today but which is not what it is for. When you enter into that place, it is the time to go with what you know, to clearly show people who you are and what you have been accomplishing, and do that to the best of your potential. It is to make them understand what you are trying to give to the globe.

This is a fantastic prize. You spoke about the require for cash. What do you prepare to do with the $50,000 grand prize?

Section of the prize is a conversation with Rebecca Minkoff. She made me see my notion line and how to use it in a NFT structure. She opened my eyes to see that part of it. In phrases of my prize dollars, I purchased my fabrics for my next assortment and received stock for my goods/e-commerce things.