It’s not fairly often you get an opportunity to listen to from moguls of their starting levels and in a BOSSIP unique, designer Ok Daniels of Hulu’s Gown My Tour is detailing particular moments of her journey earlier than and after her newfound successful title.
As a journalist, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing many up-and-coming abilities, however sitting down with Ok Daniels was one thing particular. This wasn’t simply one other interview; it was a deep dive into the life and thoughts of a designer who’s getting ready to turning into a family identify.
@thekdaniels Ensure you go stream #DressMyTour on #Hulu proper now! #KDaniels #realitytv
♬ authentic sound – Keiandrea Daniels
Recent off her win on Hulu’s Gown My Tour, Ok Daniels has captured the eye of the style world together with her daring designs and distinctive imaginative and prescient. However past the glamorous outfits and the victory lap, there’s a narrative of resilience, religion, and unwavering dedication that deserves to be advised.
@thekdaniels I heard somebody say I couldn’t do “able to put on” within the “actual world”……effectively…….thank God I wasn’t attempting to 🥰 KEEP STREAMING #DressMyTour solely on @hulu 💅🏽 #tvshows #realitytv
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Stitching Seeds: Discovering Her Place in Style
Ok Daniels, born Keiandrea Daniels, didn’t all the time know she’d find yourself in style.
“After I first began, like in center faculty, I didn’t know how one can sew,” she advised me, reflecting on her early days.
Like many younger creatives, she wasn’t positive the place she slot in.
“I believed that I may simply be, like a merchandiser, a stylist or one thing like that, as a result of I believed you needed to know how one can sew to be a designer.”
It wasn’t till highschool that she discovered her footing, because of a style advertising and marketing instructor who took her beneath her wing.
As she shared her journey, I may really feel the load of the challenges she confronted early on.
“The sooner a part of my life I used to be actually sick, and so I wasn’t actually capable of, like, do younger particular person stuff. Like, I couldn’t exit. I couldn’t actually go to the flicks or date or do a whole lot of stuff,” Ok defined.
As an alternative of letting these setbacks outline her, she discovered solace in her craft.
“I needed to end highschool from residence…so this was one thing that I may do, ?”
Her journey wasn’t a straight path to success. It was a means of trial and error, of studying and unlearning.
“I didn’t actually discover my place till round 2020, and I began round like 2012,” she revealed, highlighting the years of onerous work and dedication it took to hone her craft.
The Actuality of Actuality TV: Behind the Scenes of Gown My Tour
Successful Gown My Tour was no small feat, however what intrigued me most was how Ok navigated the pressures of actuality TV.
“It was actually tense, and it was rather a lot. It pushed me, and we actually didn’t get any sleep,” she admitted.
Competing in a present the place you’re continually beneath the watchful eyes of cameras, whereas additionally being anticipated to churn out inventive designs beneath tight deadlines, is not any straightforward activity. However what stood out to me was her honesty concerning the expertise.
“For one, being on the market away from my household and assist system was already an enormous factor. After which being on the market with all of those totally different personalities that I don’t know, and having a digicam on you 24/7… it was actually tense.”
@thekdaniels Yall dont even wanna know what number of instances I cried 🥹🤣🤣 Yall watching #DressMyTour? #tvshows #hulu
♬ At Your Greatest (You Are Love) – Spotify Singles – Alex Isley
Regardless of the challenges, Ok remained true to herself. She embraced the critiques from the mentors, seeing them as alternatives to develop reasonably than as obstacles.
@thekdaniels Lmbo we are going to relaxation……after the bar 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 #dressmytour #tvshow #hulu
♬ authentic sound – Keiandrea Daniels
“That was my first time being able the place I used to be capable of get critiques like that. So I by no means checked out it as a foul factor. I used to be actually eager to know, like, okay, what do y’all assume they wish to see?”
This willingness to be taught and adapt, whereas staying genuine to her personal imaginative and prescient, was key to her success on the present.
Artistic Imaginative and prescient and the Artwork of Design
Ok Daniels’ designs are daring, vibrant, and unapologetically distinctive. After I requested her about her inventive course of, she defined, “I prefer to let the material communicate for me.” It’s a easy but profound strategy that enables her to remain true to her aesthetic whereas navigating the constraints of every problem.
“In terms of dressing a tour, dressing for stage, it’s extra so about what’s going to be one thing that the particular person within the balcony within the very again can nonetheless see.”
@thekdaniels Your presents are by no means for you, they’re to bless others. So completely satisfied I used to be capable of are available in and assist this bride who had to determine a brand new wedding ceremony gown simply 2 weeks earlier than her wedding ceremony! #brides #weddingdress #weddingtok
♬ At Your Greatest (You Are Love) – Spotify Singles – Alex Isley
This concentrate on visibility and affect is what units her aside. She is aware of how one can make an announcement, not simply by way of design however by way of all the expertise of her creations. Whether or not it’s a sequin-covered ensemble that catches the sunshine good or a daring silhouette that instructions consideration, Ok Daniels designs for the second.
And it’s not nearly wanting good—her designs need to carry out.
“These individuals…have been break dancing. They flipping. They prefer it was no room for error. So not solely do that gotta be cute, it gotta be useful,” she emphasised.
Hit the flip for extra of our chat with Ok. Daniels.
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Classes Discovered: Weaving Via Challenges
The expertise of competing on *Gown My Tour* wasn’t nearly successful a title—it was about progress.
“One factor concerning the present was it type of confirmed for me, or affirmed for me, that I’m on the correct path,” she shared.
This affirmation got here at an important time in her profession, serving to her solidify her id as a designer who makes a speciality of “wow second” items.
However the present additionally pushed her to discover new territories, like menswear.
@thekdaniels Oh nothing, simply THE hardest males’s jacket I’ve ever made in my life 💅🏽 @1j.silver wore it SO WELL! Y’all streaming #DressMyTour or nah? #Hulu #realitytv
♬ authentic sound – user99645138202
“I really feel like my barrier towards menswear has type of broke,” she admitted.
Having been challenged with male fashions greater than every other contestant, Ok Daniels discovered herself stepping out of her consolation zone, and she or he plans to proceed experimenting with menswear sooner or later.
Style Ahead: The Way forward for Ok Daniels
As we wrapped up our dialog, I couldn’t assist however ask what’s subsequent for Ok Daniels. Her reply was each humble and hopeful.
“I really feel like proper now I’m in an area the place I’m attempting to permit God to maneuver. So I’m simply going to remain open and be keen to go to locations that I by no means thought,” she mentioned.
Whereas she’s open to extra TV alternatives and talking engagements, her coronary heart stays in style. Anticipate extra one-of-a-kind items, every designed to make an announcement and depart a long-lasting impression.
Religion’s Material: Resilience and the Energy of Sure
All through our dialog, one theme stored rising—religion. Ok Daniels is deeply rooted in her religion, and it’s what guides her each step.
“I dwell daily of my life based mostly off of religion,” she advised me. Her affirmation? “Don’t be scared to present God your sure, as a result of whenever you do, you by no means know the place it’s going to take you.”
@thekdaniels Your presents are by no means for you, they’re to bless others. So completely satisfied I used to be capable of are available in and assist this bride who had to determine a brand new wedding ceremony gown simply 2 weeks earlier than her wedding ceremony! #brides #weddingdress #weddingtok
♬ At Your Greatest (You Are Love) – Spotify Singles – Alex Isley
This religion has carried her by way of the ups and downs of her journey, from the challenges of her youth to the pressures of actuality TV, and as she continues to rise within the style world, it’s clear that her religion, resilience, and creativity will take her far.
Ok Daniels is greater than only a designer—she’s a power to be reckoned with. As we have a good time Black entrepreneurs, let’s give her the popularity she deserves. Comply with her journey on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, and maintain an eye fixed out for her subsequent assortment. Belief me, you received’t wish to miss what’s coming subsequent. So, get in woman; we’re going procuring!
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**Comply with Ok Daniels:**
– Instagram: @KDanielsDesigns
– YouTube: KDanielsDesigns
– TikTok: @VKDaniels
-Lauryn Bass