Meet Alex Dezs | Fashion Designer

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

Hi Alex Dezs, how do you think about risk?
As a Haitian American, taking risks was somewhat taboo, at least from what I understood growing up. My guardians kept us quite sheltered, so we found other ways to take risks, like expressing ourselves through our style and hair. Our classmates would either make fun of us or praise us, but we didn’t care. We took control of ourselves in that way. Only recently, in a conversation with my grandmother, did she say, ‘In life, you must take risks because you never know.

It’s probably better that I heard this in my adult years because who knows what a sheltered child would have done with that advice. But it’s true. I make some of my life decisions with that mindset. You never know what you’ll get, but you just have to believe that one of the options is the best one, and trust that the chances of achieving it are high. Call it intuition, I guess.

This philosophy has definitely influenced my business. I’m not afraid if my pieces are unconventional or challenging; I just put them out there. I could easily create something safe, but what good would that do for the culture, for those working alongside me, or for those who draw inspiration from me as I do from them? Everything has its own story, but a good story isn’t made by playing it safe.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
What sets me apart is my commitment to being true to myself and staying original, no matter what trends may come and go.

I’m proud that I honor myself and my roots in everything I create. If an idea comes from me, it’s because I truly believe it’s something the world needs. I don’t change my vision to fit someone else’s expectations. Everyone’s voice is unique and important, and I strive to stay true to my own.

I’ve gotten to where I am today with the help of my amazing team. I couldn’t have achieved even half of what I have without them. Starting from scratch and building something isn’t easy, and challenges keep coming as we grow. But having a supportive team has been crucial in overcoming these hurdles.

Running my own business has taught me so much, both personally and professionally. One of the best parts is the constant learning/meeting new people, discovering new places, and integrating these experiences into my work. But most importantly patience has been a big lesson for me. I’ve learned that success isn’t instant; it’s about consistently moving forward, no matter how small the steps may seem.

I want people to know that trusting yourself is key to achieving great things. Believe in the dreams you have and keep nurturing them, even when it feels tough even if you have to step away for a moment. With persistence, those dreams will become your reality.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I were showing my best friend around for a week, here’s the plan:

First off, we’re starting with great food. We’ll hit up some local favorites like Taqueria, Buddy’s JC, and Ani Ramen, and maybe even indulge in some spicy chicken at Jollibee definitely a guilty pleasure of mine.

For drinks and a vibe, Under the Boot is the spot. They always play a mix of Afrobeats, reggae, and classic R&B, setting the mood just right. I mean, where else can you vibe to Bob Marley one minute and then turn up to Beyoncé the next?

To meet cool people and have a blast we’re heading to Le Bain and Lovers Rock in NYC. These places know how to deliver a good time.

To wind down, we’ll spend the rest of the trip in nature, soaking up the sun, taking walks, or just chilling out with some music.

That’s my idea of showing someone a great time a mix of city fun and relaxation.

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 want to give a huge shoutout to God, my family, both biological and chosen. Special recognition to all the amazing mother figures who have nurtured and supported me. Their advice and guidance have always steered me back on track, as I can be stubborn and prone to fixating on things longer than necessary.

I’d like to specifically mention my uncle and one of my favorite artists, Jay Saint. During the pandemic, we planned a visit to see my grandmother, and it was during one of our conversations that everything changed for me. I had made a bag from an old Stussy hoodie that I loved so much it became my everyday accessory. That night, Jay and I both became obsessed with the bag, and he said with excitement, “Alex, we need to do something with this! This bag is dope as f**k”

Since that moment, I’ve transformed that ‘something’ into my brand. Jay even designed my brand’s first logo. He has been my initial source of inspiration and my trusted advisor in many of my fashion decisions.

Website: Louisjeandesravines

Instagram: Louisjeandesravines

Image Credits
1st & 3rd @viveportraits

2nd & 4th @zariarosa

5th & 6th @vaish.seesthings