Interview with Texas fashion Designer Jamal Maison

Q: Describe Yourself? Who is Jamal Maison For Those That Don’t Know?

Jamal Maison is a chill, genuine, down to earth guy. I know it’s a bit cliche, everyone says their genuine & down to earth, but I can show you better than I can tell you.

Q: What Inspired You To Start Selling Clothes? And Where Do You Find Inspiration? Who inspires you as a designer?

I started with the wrong intentions which were to make money. While I was in high school, I really don’t want to get too personal or speak in my situations. Let’s just say, my family was going through a lot of financial trouble. So me being the only man in the household besides my brother at the time tried to step up and do something to get money. I worked two jobs at a time, sold shirts, sold sneakers, candy, really could’ve sold anything. That’s when things started, but I actually started to fall In love with selling when I reached college & wanted to take it seriously. I find my inspiration from my environment & what I go through in daily life. As far as who I look up to & inspired by, I would say Christian Dior.

Q: Where Are You From? What Fascinates you about France & using Their Language In your clothing?

I'm From Little Elm, Texas which is 30 minutes North of Dallas, Texas. It’s a very small unknown country town which isn’t hip to fashion whatsoever. I was the flyest guy in that town. The good thing is most of my experiences growing up were all over the DFW, so I’m pretty well rounded when it comes to the culture and pretty in tune with my city. As far as what fascinates me about France, honestly would be everything. I have family there, my parents went to school in Europe and travelled there, French was my first language. I visited as a kid, I think, I know I travelled around to see family. I’m just expressing myself through French because I grew up in a French-speaking household.

Q: What irks you about today’s fashion culture & what do you think you can bring different to the table?

A lot of things Urk me, but complaining is against my nature. Although, since this is an interview, I will proceed to complain anyway. I just don’t like how everybody is trying to create these negative core brands that stem from murder, revenge & killing. Some brands are dope but most brands make it a bit corny to me & it’s over saturating the Instagram ad fashion world. I use it at times but I do it for a purpose & underlying message, most people are just doing it because they think people will like it. I don’t like to create things people only like, I like to create things people like & understand. That’s the difference between me & them. I also feel like I’m just using my creativity in all aspects whether it be marketing, photos, Clothes, I’m hands-on, I’m really in the field (haha).

Q: What made you interested in creating Clothes? How Did Things Start For You?

One of my friends passed in high school & I came up with the idea to make shirts for his passing, that’s really when things started for me. It was rough starting out and still is rough. People cap a lot. People will message me begging for a shirt, then start bluffing when I ask for the money. It’s hard to get taken seriously by your peers when your starting something even if it’s dope. That’s a reality, your hometown will be the last to love you until it’s too late. Most of my customers are people from outside my city, but I’m blessed either way.

Q: You describe your brand as abstract messaging, Please Describe That?

Creating a message with clothes. I use abstract images at times & people can use their own interpretation to collect the meaning from that.

Q: Since your a small growing brand, Does anything scare you about moving on up to the big leagues or today’s fashion industry?

I feel like the industry or any industry for that matter is faker the higher you go. You acquire more fake friends & fake love and that’s life. I’m doing this because I love it, so my love for it overpowers all my fears. I’ve already accepted every bad thing that can come with this lifestyle the bigger I get & I’m okay with that.

Q: What Influence Do You Hope to Create Through fashion?

I don’t want to influence anything, I think I just want to create & let whatever happens to happen.

Q: For anybody looking to start a business or Brand. Any advice?

Be grateful, know what you're getting yourself into, enjoy the process, and appreciate the small wins. Don’t fall in love with the money, rather fall in love with how you're getting it.

Good Luck.

Follow Jamal On Social Media Via @jamalmaison and @dismerci_

Source: Huffingpost