Meet Renaissance Austin: Performing & Visual Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Renaissance Austin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Renaissance, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
Greetings Voyage LA! My name is Renaissance Marie Austin and I have had a pretty unique upbringing. I was raised by a single father throughout the 1980’s which was quite different from my fellow peers. I am lucky enough to have lived my life parallel to my twin brother whom I am still close with today. While I did attend public school, my home life carried an aesthetic of homeschooling. My father was taking child development courses at some point while I was growing up, so our home was filled with volumes of encyclopedias, dictionaries, children’s books, text books, pencils, pens, paper, notebooks, and art and craft supplies. There were books on Churchill, law, English Literature Anthologies, animals, dinosaurs, and learning how to sketch and draw, most of which I did not understand until my high school and college years. When my father went off to class in the evenings my brother and I would stay home by ourselves. This was the norm for us. I would spend the evenings cooking or making pecan pie, which was my favorite, and we were only around ten years old, so we had a very trusting and idependent relationship with our father. I stayed busy watching television and listening to music until he returned home. Sometimes he would take us to class with him or to the computer lab on nights when he did not have class. Thinking back on these memories I realized how I spent quite a bit of time in ‘college’ as a kid and throughout my life learning has always been at the top of my list of exciting interests. My father was also a musician and volunteer organist for various churches so we had an organ in the home, keyboard, bass guitar, saxophone, and harmonica of which I still have. Music was huge. It played everyday, all day, and whenever we traveled locally. I became a good singer by listening to Whitney Houston and when it came to Michael Jackson you could not tell me a anything. I was in LOVE, but not only that, I was in love with music. During one phase of my life I remember not ever sleeping in my room. I would push my father’s brown recliner close to the radio in the living room, crawl in and fall asleep listening to the radio. The odd part is that whenever a commercial came on I would literally wake up, put my hand on the dial, tune to the next song, and fall asleep again, WITH my hand still on the dial! This happened throughout the night until I no longer would wake up and morning had finally come.

When I was five, I was told something that changed my life which still sits in the back of my mind today. I will never forget the moment my father sat me and my brother on his knees in our small dingy yellow kitchen and told us the story of what happened to our mother. She had died tragically in a car crash. My father was driving and they were hit from behind by a drunk driver. It is not that the car was hit so hard that it spun out of control, but the fact that the location of the gas tank caused the car to catch fire. My father was thrown from the car where his tounge and one of fingers were split and he had to be taken to the hospital for stitches. Unfortunately my mother had been sleep in the back seat and was trapped inside, awakened and then alarmed by the commotion. I was told that she was found trying to get out of the rear window of the car, but a short time before the accident the car was broken into, the rear window shattered and then boarded up by a large piece of wood. Wow, the 80’s. Before learning of this tragedy, I had no clue that mothers existed, that there was such a thing, or that I even had a mother which is amazing because if a child does not know something they will never come to the full understanding of how things are supposed to be. My first five years seemed so normal, just me, a toddler, playing, and living life. Since that moment I have never stopped thinking of my mother. I have no memory or recollection of her, only photos. Throughout the years my grandmother and aunts would mention stories about her, but it was my father who spoke beautiful things about her on the daily. He talked about how she was rare, different, about how much he loved her, missed her, and how she was a writer, poet, and basketball player. And, how I was just like her. My grandmother talked about her warm alto singing voice, how her soft hair bounced as she walked, and about how much she loved her twins and prayed for us. My father suddenly passed away when I was fourteen and I became a ward of the court until I was of legal age to be released.

Speaking of my grandmother who is no longer here, she and my father were probably the most integral in my life. I was always that child who observed everything my family members did and picked it up right away. I have the life I have today because my grandmother taught me how to crochet when I was eight and inspired me to sew. My uncle, whom I consider the black Bob Mackie, sketched fashion designs, so I learned how to sketch from him when I was eleven. They both instilled in me a passion for fashion. There were sewing machines and Vogue magazines everywhere. My grandmother would tell the story of how when I was four years old I would try and sew on her sewing machine by making the motor sounds with my mouth and pushing the fabric with my little fingers. Unfortunately my feet were too short to reach the pedal. By the time I was fifteen, I designed my homecoming dress, two prom dresses, then off to college I went to study Fashion Design and Fashin Marketing. Adult life from there was a whirlwind of ups, downs, bitters, sweets, gains, loses, and truly discovering my innermost self.

Now I am 41 years of age, a double graduate of El Camino College in the areas of Fine Arts, Music, and Commercial Music Business and I feel I have come full circle with this accomplishment. I completed something. I learned a lot about myself over the past four years and have come to many conclusions that give me peace in the acceptance of who I really am. To truly answer how I am impacted by my background and upbringing I will say this. It finally became clear to me that I will always live with a maternal and paternal void that leaves me partly empty of which I am not sure will every be filled, unless by true love. Like my mother, I am rare, different. I think differently. I am a late bloomer and I am okay with that. When you have been on your own since the age of fourteen and no one is helping you, guiding you, or showing you how to live life, you feel a little bit behind everyone. However, I am blessed to have many levels of creativity because creating is where all of my trauma is released. I have lived many places and with many people. I have owned my home and I have lost my home. I have had lots of money and I have had pennies. Life has been kind of nomadic. I have survived depression and anxiety without medication, only through my faith, prayer, and growing in self-awareness. I was told by everyone that I would make a great wife and mother, but I have not been blessed with a nuclear family. I learned early on when trying to date normally that when the question of family and parents came up, I suddenly became a pity party. I would always forget that in order for someone to get to know me I would have to talk about my tragedies of which I never do. I believe it is a protection mechanism for me because whenever I have talked about my life people would become uncomfortable, men would become uncomfortable and then I would never hear from them again. No one likes being responsible for comforting someone else. Also, I realized as an adult that my father was the most amazing and supportive man I have every known and if I didn’t meet someone like him then there was no need for the relationship in the first place. So, I know I have put into place boudaries, walls, and protections that create a picture of my looking very normal to everyone else on the outside looking in and all that I have exposed of myself comes by way of my creative works. Ultimately, I believe my greatest purpose is to put my art into the world and to finally tell my story. Through music, fashion, writing, and my business, Raghouse International, I feel most empowered. It is truly the best I can give. Sure, matters of the hearts causes me to be introspective and comteplative wondering what life would actually be like if I was dealt a ‘normal’ hand. But I understand that everything happens for a reason and even if I don’t understand it all I do know that my creativity is the foundation of my essence and that is where I have put all of my focus and passion. I say all of this with happiness as when meeting me you would never know by my bubbliness that I have exprienced the tragedies I have. I am fully in love with myself, comfortable in my skin, and I have not given up on my dreams. I know that as long as I keep going I will end up exactly where I am meant to be.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have always been creative since a child, but one important factor I should mention is because women knew my father was a single father they donated trashbags full of their old clothing to him. Now of course I was a little girl and most of the pieces were too big for me. In order for me to fit them I would go through the pile, select what I liked and then from my grandmother’s sewing influence I would figure out ways to alter the clothing to my size. Unbeknownst to myself, this was truly my entering in to the world of fashion. I already knew how to do hems, sew on buttons, and use a seam ripper all before the age of ten. The artistic skills I adopted mostly came from family members. I was shy and quiet and would watch relatives operate in their profession and then go off to a corner, take what I saw visually and implement that same technique on myself. From there I would practice over and over until I got better. Inspired by the sketches of my uncle I began my own fashion design sketches at age eleven and by twelve I made my first two piece outfit out of denim completely by hand. My grandmother and relatives were stunned at how neat and perfect the garments were for my age. At fifteen I bought my first sewing machine from a yard sale and designed my first dress which was for the 10th grade homecoming dance. I remember walking into the lobby of the hotel and going directly to the photo area to take a picture. When I removed my coat, borrowed from my sister, and turned around to pose all of my classmates and peers who were in the vacinity were all staring. I was very proud of my first design. A few years later, I designed two prom dresses inspired by fashions from the Vogue magazines I collected. My grandmother and I drafted patterns, purchased fabrics, sewed, and hand beaded the dresses ourselves. She was an excellent seamstress and always remined me that a garment should be just as beautiful on the inside as the outside. After graduating high school I knew I wanted to head off to college to began my journey toward becoming a fashion designer, but life hit hard and became a whirling roller coaster. I was able to take the initial classes I needed like, Figure drawing, Color theory, Fashion Sketching, and Textiles, and it was in Textiles class I realized I was highly passionate about fiber before it become anything. I had the opportunity to be a part of the Dresser’s Club where I dressed models and gained a world of experience from working behind the scenes of fashion shows. It was truly amazing. When I was told that I could take all my GEs at a community college becase it was much cheaper I left the university and ended up at El Camino College, which seemed like a deterent from my dreams, but it ended up being a blessing in disguise. When I saw a vender selling a triangular crocheted head tie on campus I was stunned that crochet could be made AND sold. As a business! Previously I only saw crocheting as a hobby. I was around 20 years old when suddenly a major trigger when off in my heart and a lightbulb shined bright in my mind. I went home that day, picked up my crochet hooks and begain crocheting my own head tie and have not stopped since. The seed of Raghouse International was birthed that day with the thought that head ties would be the catalyst to my success. In a way it was, but not in the way I thought. I didn’t know there would be a long journey ahead of me. 20 years later that one head tie has turned into the brand I have today.

Like many makers I started off selling at local events, farmer’s markets, church meets, colleges, and private home parties. I participated in fashion shows and anything that would help expose my brand. In December of 2007 I opened my doors to the online community by starting an Etsy shop. Within seconds of setting up my Paypal account a sell came through and in my first year on Etsy I was featured on 30 blogs. That first year I sat at the computer day in and day out, teaching myself everything about running an e-commerce business; shipping, captions, product descriptions, blogging, giveaways, you name it. I learned photography very well, hired volunteer models, and did the makeup, the editing, and the marketing and promotions. With all of this hands-on experience I was gaining, I was also learning something else too. I was becoming overly aware that I was a ‘black’ business owner, a ‘black’ maker. What I mean by this is, when I first started on Etsy the majority of sellers were about 83% white. And then, there was everyone else. I was raised to be colorblind and was completely green about racial constructs people held in their mind as my own family had a history of interracial mixing for one hundred years. I started keeping a business journal of the struggles I began to face being on Etsy. For one, as a knitwear and crochet designer who actually went to school for fashion, other crocheters and knitters made fun or criticized some of my work because generally they were making more traditional items like scarves, shawls, hats, or baby items. I would receive messages asking “who makes all this?” People said my dresses were too sexy and that my designs were for strippers. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. After evaluating my thoughts and people’s actions, I realized that there are expectations aligned with stereotypical thinking of one’s perception of a person based on what they look like, their cultural group, or skin color. Obvoiusly because of my skin color I was supposed to be making things with leather, Kente cloth, and wooden beads, yet when I made friends on Etsy I discovered that they created the same way I did and most of them were in European countries and other places like Australia, New Zealand, and Finland. One very pivotal moment for me was when I had a friend who invited me to sell at her college the same weekend another college down the street was having a Pan African Festival. One was mostly white and the other was mostly black. At the white festival I was received well and made lots of sales. On the second day after the festival was over I went over to the Pan African Festival and nothing. Everyone looked down on my products, mentioned how my products were too expensive and associated with grandmothers. I returned home deeply emotional and contemplative and since that time one of the greatest lessons I learned was that there are black makers who create with a black aesthetic that is supported by the black community because their style of design aligns with their ideas of blackness. Then there are makers like me who are black, but create with a more European aesthetic and who receive more support from an white audience. I was a changed person, but I was also enlightened on how to market my company even better because I felt I knew my audience better.

Another great struggle was that I realized that in American skin color matters and even more so with fashion and the models you use to sell your products. I found that the same item would sell better on a model that looked ethnically androgynous, basically mixed. In Europe, fashion companies used dark models all the time and generally as a black person, my closest reach within my circle would be another black person just like anyone from any group who uses a friend to model for them. For months it was a back and forth mental battle as to whether I would show my face or a product as an avatar. I discovered jewelry was difficult to sell online and if my proucts did not sell I blamed it on the photos and constantly reshot them over and and over, The inner argument was, do I use me, a live person, a model, or a mannequin head, or dress form? All of these things cost money and to save money I was using myself most of the time. All I was trying to do was get every aspect of my business right, but I was wrong in what I was doing because everything I did was determined upon what everyone else wanted to see. 20 years later, just recently, I took a Sunday to plug in my hardrive and go through 20 years worth of photos, memories, and company history. I was amazed and slightly angered at the same time. When I looked at the things I made in the past I no longer make, I wowed myself. I never wasted a button, a piece of lace, or string. The photos I took were stunning. I thought to myself, ‘how did I ever think these were horrible?’ I wasted so much time doing things over and over trying to meet a standard that I didn’t even know was a standard or not. Then, finally, I forgave myself. I looked at 20 years worth of video footage, photos, editing work, fashion campaigns and I became fully proud of everything I have ever done. I saw that what truly set me apart was the way I designed and also the fact that I designed outside of a stereotypical expectation. I also accepted that there is jealously throughout all industries of life and that is okay. People will not support you because of jealously and many will not be happy when you making sale after sale and get noticed by the platform you sell on. Now, I would say to anyone who is starting a creative business to operate your business the way you want. Don’t worry about what you think a norm or standard is. Create your own unique brand through your own vision and stick with it. However you market your product on social media, keep your message at the foundation of the point you are trying to make through your art and do not let strangers dictate how you should run your business. Most of it is negative energy anyway. Never worry about those who criticize you and your art form. More often then not they are jealous because they are not doing what you are doing or are not as talented at you.

Over the years I have experienced many opportunies that culminate my life, and personal and professional growth. My first television appearance came when I was on Knitty Gritty hosted by Vickie Howell. I was a model dresser, hairstylist, and makeup artist for LA Fashion Week for two years. I was apart of Saints + Sirens showroom for one year on a barter systems where I was their photographer and editor and they were my representative. Through them I landed my crochet head band collection in four Nordstrom locations across the country. Later, I was represented by PRB International of Beverly Hills, a major blessing through a mutual friend. They added me to The Collection at Icis, a group of designers located in a pop – up shop at a luxury condo facility in Glendale and we produced a fashion show that also raised money to stop child trafficking. My time in Downtown Los Angeles participating in the music and art scene at The Last Bookstore, Los Angeles Art Walk, clubs and craft venues were some of the best years of my life. Now, in 2021 with my college career being over I am back to running my business full time. I am rebranding my online appearance and creating in the confidence I have built and putting my inspiring story at the forefront of it all.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am quite the local traveler and Pasadena, California is one of my absolute favorite cities. In a week I would take a friend to the Pasadena City Hall to check out the amazing architecture and garden as well as the Gamble House. All Indian Cafe is one of my favorite Indian spots. They have amazing saag paneer and yellow lentil soup and then Blue Bottle Coffee for a Mocha latte with oat milk. The best in the area. Urth Caffe is another great place for delicious food as well as Blaze Pizza and Superfood Cafe where they have amazing acai bowls. I am vegan so a lot of the places I patronize are mostly vegan or have vegan options. Real Food Daily Cafe is at the top of my list for an all around vegan menu. In South Pasadena on Mission there are some great restauarants and sights to see as well. There is a lot of history there and it is not too far from Heritage Square which is right off the Pasadena Freeway at 43rd Ave. Nature is everything to me. I would take a friend to Mount Wilson, Eaton Cayon, and on a drive along Hwy 2. There is also a wonderful sunset lookout by the JPL where you can sit and watch the sun go down. There is hiking also. I live out in the desert a little over an hour from everything and there are truly some places to experience out here. I am near Lytle Creek, California where there is the most beautiful waterfall closest to the city called Bonita Fall. It is actually really, really popular and can get crowded. Redlands is amazing. I go there all the time to pull a few oranges from the groves or buy avocados off of a table, and to visit Kimberly Crest which is a French Chateau overloking the area. There are lots of Victorian and Queen Anne style homes all throughout the region. Lastly but not least, I discovered one of the greatest gems that is central to the desert valley and that is the Chino HIlls State park. It is unbelievable! It is about 14,000 acreas of natural land and wild life, with an equestrian area, discovery center, day usage and overnight camping. When you are inside of the park it is the perfect getaway from any sign of city life although the city is just right outside. The best place to eat is the Haven City Marketplace which is a huge food court type place with a hipster atmosphere and live music. There are a variety of restaurants to choose from and &Coffee Cafe has the best coffee in the area. Bright Star Vegan Cafe is thee BEST vegan place here in the valley. The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to give a shoutout to my brother Cornelio Austin who has protected and supported me the best way he knows how by not letting me fall. I am thankful to my best friend Mhar Reyes whom I met at El Camino College and is a fellow artist. Five years strong we have loved and supported each other’s creatives works. I am thankful to my father who was my greatest support and encouragement, my grandmother and other family members who influenced the skills I have today, and my performing arts teacher, Ms Helen Stringos who planted the seeds of theater and dance into my life. To my Sociology professor, Dr. Melissa Fujiwara who found value in me and my Opera Workshop professor, Dr. Blickfelt who always showcased me in a beautiful light, to both of them I am very grateful. And, I can not forget to thank my Applied Jazz instructor, Dr. Chan for always pushing me and being excited for my performances. Lastly, while I have met her five times but do not know her personally, I have to thank my favorite artist Billie Eilish. After discovering her, she became the light switch to my past and with the wisdom and conversations of some of her interviews she restored back to me the confidence I had in my youth when knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life and who I wanted to be. Through her words she confirmed ideas I always believed in but was told by people that there were limitations to what I could do in life. She said it best in an interview when she had an on-camera epiphany at 16 and I quote:

“And it’s like young fans they are the ones that care the most because they have more caring in them than older people who have lost all of that. (She pauses) That’s crazy! I just realized that. When you’re young you haven’t wasted all your love yet…you’re full of love”

The minute I heard Billie Eilish say this it hit hard because I knew it was true. It was a realization I had come to for myself many years prior. I stared at my laptop top screen, stopped everything I was doing and took a moment to refill myself with love because the mental space I was in was creating a tipping point where I could either remain positive about my life or start living in bitterness and fortunately that statement was what I needed to hear in that moment. All negativity drained from me and from then on I have worked to regain my essence through the energy of Billie’s perspectives on life which are very similar to my own and have always been. I now create with her encouraging energy at the forefront of everyday productivity and I have never felt more happy and alive.

Website: raghouseinternational.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raghouse_international/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renaissance-marie-austin-1b6517108/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/user/fiberstyletv

Image Credits
Renaissance Marie Austin, Raymond Wright