Today we’d like to introduce you to Qaysean Williams.
Today we’d like to introduce you to Qaysean Williams.
Hi Qaysean, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am born and raised in Trenton, NJ. When it comes to my fashion career, I always say that ‘fashion found me’ because during my birth I suffered an injury to my left arm resulting in a condition called Erbs Palsy (Brachial Plexus) ‘an injury that weakens the muscles in the arm, and neck which affects the growth, mobility, and functionality of the arm and fingers.’ Because of this injury my life experiences were different than the normal person from the start. As I experienced life as a kid, I encountered teasing because of my disability which resulted in low self-esteem. On top of that at those times I didn’t know what my injury was called and I didn’t know what the long-term effects of this condition were, so to me I struggled with a lot of self-acceptance and competence issues. It wasn’t until middle school and high school where I actually started focusing on fashion and my personal style and it wasn’t because I dreamed of becoming a fashion stylist to the stars, it was so that I could create a distraction from my arm. I figured if people loved what I was wearing and I ‘fit in’ with the crowd then I didn’t have to worry about attention being put on my left arm and I could finally have somewhat of a normal life. Around this time, I started working for the local Boys and Girls Club and during my 5-year time there I, along with a few staff members curated a fashion show as an extracurricular activity for the kids that attended. The show turned out to be a huge success and at that point, it was the first time I felt I had done something that I felt I was able to do and excel at it. It was then I knew fashion would be something I held on to forever.
Fast forwarding a bit, I started college as a Fashion Merchandising Major at Mercer County Community College and at the same time, I produced my own fashion shows in NJ which always sold out and became a ‘must attend’ event. Fashion design started occurring during my fashion shows when I wanted to only create things to make my shows ‘Pop’ instead of off the rack clothing being modeled. I then sold my first design and realized I could make money from products I created and people actually wanted to wear them and so my fashion design journey begin.
The Manikin brand was officially established in 2014 with the help of my amazing friend Willie who I appreciate so very much. ‘Atelier Manikin’ itself is a luxury brand specializing in custom made-to-measure, red carpet, and performance wear garments. The sub-brand Manikin Mob which is a fantasy streetwear brand is ready to wear garments that marries opulence that comes from glamour and high fashion and streetwear which are from my upbringing to allow it to be wearable and at the same time jaw-dropping and unique. I continued my schooling through 2014-2020 advancing my skills as I also traveled the country showcasing my designs in various fashion shows, styling indie music artists, building a clientele of customers, and cultivating my personal style all at the same time. The Manikin brand starting as an accessories brand with custom-designed shoes and eyewear received its first celebrity client Hip Hop legend Trina who wore a custom pair of Manikin ‘Scandal Magazine’ Heels for her music video in 2014 with artist Ricky Rude. That was such an iconic moment for me because I grew up listening to Trina and to have a musical legend wear a pair of my shoes was confirmation that I have a place in this fashion world and I can really do this.
Over the next few years after I continued building my skill as a designer as well as my reputation as a man who sewed with one hand which created the name ‘The One Hand Sewing Man’. This is very important to note because as a kid I hated that I had this disability and that people noticed my arm in any capacity, However, today people all over the world know about my arm and I am walking in my full confidence in it. God showed me that my life’s experiences was not accidental, it was my destiny and when I accept the mission and step into myself fully I would begin seeing the wonders I could create.
As of today, I have created my own fashion exhibition titled “A Fantasy of a Manikin’ a multimedia exhibit showcasing my designs From archive collections, music videos, shoe designs, and fashion photography. I received my bachelor’s degree in 2020 in fashion studies. I have designed for amazing people such as DJ Diamond Kuts, R&B group Junes Diary. I’ve showcased my collection ‘Dynasty’ during New York Fashion Week February 2020, I have been featured on ABC7 news in 2021, CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers Of America) 2021, Vogue (during Vogue World 2022), Fashion Bomb Daily, and have a viral Facebook interview with Brut America which is currently at 3.9 million views. Today my mission as a designer is still to become a house held name when it comes to style and grace however, this journey is to also inspire people like me that they too can do whatever they put their minds to doing.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As a designer using one hand, the journey has not been as easy as I would like. This profession has been done (at least to my knowledge) by everyone using two hands, so when I stepped into this industry I had to take two-handed methods and modify them and make the techniques of sewing adaptable for me to accomplish them. It did cause self-doubt early on because I wondered if I was cut out for this career path, but something inside me would not let me quit and I took extra steps and classes to learn the necessary sewing skills to create the garments that I desired.
I also struggled with being an entrepreneur, as I stated before this career path sprung on to me, so I had a lot of trial and error in my beginning stages, and still do to this day. I am one of the first in my immediate family to start my own business so there was much I had to learn on my own. Thankfully I’ve had and still have mentors along the way who offered advice, insight, and resources to help me flourish as an entrepreneur.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a fashion and costume designer. I specialize in creating custom-designed garments that are made for special occasion events such as red carpets, birthdays, music videos, performance wear, and editorial photography. I am known for my eye-catching glamorous fashion that always has a bit of shimmer and eye-catching shine to them.
I am most proud of my look I created for myself for the Vogue World Fashion Show Sept 2022. I created an amazing dress that had intricate sequin detailing, along with a transparent waist belt with a gold buckle, matching boots, and a gold chainmail headdress. I wore that look for my first ever Vogue magazine event and I felt powerful, I felt beautiful, I felt like and emperor and an empress all at once. And to be in such an iconic space amongst iconic people was such a huge moment for me.
What sets me apart from others is my niche market of being able to create fashion that connects adaptive fashion (fashion for people with disabilities) and mainstream fashion. I understand the need to bridge the gap between the two worlds and I am living proof that it can be done. Individuality is very important to me and through my designs, advertisements and overall aesthetic I display diversity and inclusion in the Manikin brand. We are living in a day and age where more and more people are living in their truth and they are deciding that fashion is a way to express who they really are (as do I) and I create product that is not gender-specific and open to adapting to any wearers personal style. Also when I design I think of every piece of my collection as the ‘final piece’ therefore taking time to make sure everything is jaw-dropping and iconic.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I am always open to collaborations with other artists like myself, rather it be in fashion, hair and make-up, graphic design, marketing, etc. Send me a message on one of my social media accounts and let’s see what magic can be created.
Support for me can be in many ways, purchasing my products will support me as this is my full-time career. Sharing my content on social media helps as well because you just never know who may need me, lol.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.HausOfManikin.com
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RealLifeManikin
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/QayseanRoe/
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/reallifemanikin
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ5zDL1uW6xZ4wh3BIIru4w
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-391057676
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@reallifemanikin
Image Credits
Photographer: German Vazquez and Brian Gibson BGVizuals
