Meet Shalisa West of New York

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shalisa West.

Hi Shalisa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story has always been rooted in creativity, ambition, and the desire to build something that feels bigger than myself. I’ve always been a creative at heart. My journey has taken me through modeling, photography, art, fashion, sneaker design, and entrepreneurship, and each chapter has helped shape what I’m building today.

I started Styles By Davonne as a way to bring all of those creative pieces together under one vision. I didn’t want to create just another clothing brand. I wanted to create a space where fashion, art, culture, and community could exist together. Over time, the brand evolved into a reflection of how I see creativity—there shouldn’t be one box you have to fit into. You can be an artist, a designer, a photographer, a business owner, and still continue discovering new parts of yourself.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Building a business while maintaining a full-time career has required a lot of sacrifice, patience, and resilience. I’ve dealt with financial challenges, setbacks, opportunities that didn’t work out, and moments where I questioned whether I was moving fast enough. But every obstacle taught me something. I’ve learned that the road doesn’t have to be easy to be worth it—you just have to keep showing up, adjusting, and believing in what you’re building.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a multidisciplinary creative, so my work goes beyond fashion. Through Styles By Davonne, I bring together clothing, sneaker design, art, and photography under one brand. I specialize in turning ideas into experiences that feel authentic, expressive, and connected to culture.

What I’m most proud of is the community I’m building around the brand. Styles By Davonne isn’t just about what you wear—it’s about creating space for people to be seen, inspired, and encouraged to create.

What sets me apart is that I don’t believe creativity has to fit into one category. I’m the artist, designer, photographer, and visionary behind what I create, and every part of the brand tells a piece of my story. That’s what “Built for Creators. Worn by Culture.” represents.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success as being able to look back and know I never gave up on myself or my vision. It’s not just about money or recognition—it’s about growth, creating something meaningful, and opening doors for others along the way. If what I build inspires someone else to believe in their creativity and take a chance on themselves, that’s success to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Stylesbydavonne.org
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/shalisawest
• Facebook: Instagram.com/stylesbydavonne
• Other: https://Instagram.com/solarcrownstudio