Today we’d like to introduce you to Donel Fernandes
Hi Donel, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Donel Fernandes was born in Orlando, FL to a Jamaican Mother and Guyanese Father. From an early age, Donel showed interests in geography, social work and excelled in sports. Excelling in boxing, track & field and basketball and winning numerous competitions during his high school years , he eventually earned a track and field scholarship to attend Monroe College. In college, Donel had the opportunity to meet and make friends from around the globe while also studying hospitality management. Donel graduated Cum Laude with his B.A degree in hospitality management as well as being named a 2011 NJCAA Student- Athlete All American. After graduating college and entering the workforce for 1 year, Donel took an offer to study abroad in Brazil to learn the language of Portuguese.
Donel attended Portuguese courses and aided in the physical education classes at Colégio Conde Domingos in São Paulo, Brazil. While studying the language and learning the layout of Brazil, Mr. Fernandes took a volunteer position at a School/ Daycare named Associação Adelaide Ferreira. The aforementioned school provided education to numerous students that lived in a surrounding Favela neighborhood. While volunteering here and communicating with both students and teachers, Donel learned about some of the mis-fortunes the inhabitants of the Favela community face. With the help of his friends and family he was able to raise money that was used to purchase a bevy of new goods such as clothing, learning materials, hygienic products and toys for the children attending the school . This action sparked the brain child for Favela Fashion. Desiring to do more, Favela Fashion was created to be a brand that not only represents the inhabitants of the Favela communities but also benefits them. Donel pledges that a portion of all proceeds made from purchases will be redistributed within not only 1 Favela community in São Paulo, but Favelas throughout the beautiful country of Brazil.
Thank You = Muito Obrigado
Donel Fernandes
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I can honestly say yes. Don’t get me wrong there have certainly been some learning curves being that I am new to both the world of Fashion and film. Through research, preparation, and having the luxury of learning from the mistakes of others, I can say the creative journey has been fairly smooth. Overcoming obstacles towards achieving my goals as a fashion designer and filmmaker have shown themselves in several different forms. From production issues, to sourcing materials, to trying to stay inspired during dark times, the challenges may have been abundant but the feeling of triumph of making it the finish line will always outweigh the struggle.
If I could suggest a best practice to a budding entrepreneur looking to take a chance within the creative space that significantly helped my launches go smoothly, it would be to volunteer for a minimum of at least 1 month to shadow a professional working and thriving within the industry of your interest. By doing this you are able to gain valuable on job/ in industry knowledge at no risk or detriment to your own business. Although this opportunity may be unpaid, its important you work as hard and diligently as if you would for your highest paid position because you are now amongst the network of other likeminded creatives that will potentially become a great resource for you in the future.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Favela Fashion LLC is my fashion line that donates proceeds of each purchase to the inhabitants of the Favela communities of Brazil. During my time of living in Brazil, I grew an affinity for the Favela communities. Far too often, I was only hearing negative things about the Favelas and the people living within in. When I got the opportunity to visit a community and then volunteer at a school that educated children of the community, I was able see that the people were extremely proud & hard working that yearned to advance the lives of themselves and their families but may have just lacked resources. Outside of toys for the holidays, Favela Fashion is intentional about donating educational materials as well, to help aid the children of the Favela communities. This December 2025, will be the first year Favela Fashion LLC, will launch our educational grant program, where children of the community between the ages of 13-17 can apply for a grant to be used towards their college expenses.
Readers can view and purchase our products at www.favelafashionllc.com
Oxtail & Anime- Short Film (2024) “Oxtail & Anime” is the story of a beautifully spirited barista that brews her last cup of coffee after she experiences a medical emergency that leaves her co-workers and boyfriend in a frenzy. This was my first film that I wrote and directed. The purpose of “Oxtail & Anime” is to raise awareness on heart health and emotional intelligence within the minority community. Stay connected with myself via social media so that you can see where you can watch this wonderful film!
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Risk taking is the uncomfortable evil, I suggest every creative become content with. Whether it’s the risk of running low on money to fund a project, missing out on events or time with loved ones, or just the risk of being judged by others for a vision you desire to create and share with the world. There will always be a certain amount of risk required in order to reap the rewards of your hard work!
I am also a big proponent of taking calculated risk. Do your research on important factors of production such as cost of goods, cost of production, cost of marketing and other important factors that go into making your business successful. In my opinion, one of the best practices I completed to help minimize my risk factors prior to launching my creative endeavors was doing a financial analysis of startup and production of Favela Fashion & my short film “Oxtail & Anime.” By creating a Financial forecast with built in different risk factors and studying it vigorously, it lowered my anxiety going into my creative ventures.
Personally, I have always felt that trusting one’s employers to see the value in your work, day in and day out in order to keep you employed is extremely risky, so why not take a leap of faith & bet yourself to follow your passion and pursue it!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.favelafashionllc.com
- Instagram: favelafashionllc, fernandes_world
- Other: Email : favelafashionllc@gmail.com
Image Credits
Jonathan Lora Vargas
Instagram – JVargasmedia
