Meet Brennan Manuel | Designer

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

Hi Brennan, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I think risk is a natural part of our lives, but it’s something that we are taught as a society to avoid as much as possible. The avoidance of risk is not an ideology that I necessarily agree with. We allow other societal norms to be classified as less risky or not risky at all, while categorizing others as extremely risky. For example, having kids can be just as risky as investing in the stock market. The former statement would get labeled as apocryphal and the latter would be lauded as truth. Then you have to think about where the prevailing narrative of risky societal behavior comes from. I believe it’s a top-down directive to keep most people from having a relationship with risk, understanding risk, and hedging risk. Having a relationship with risk is how you build wealth and protect yourself and your posterity.

To answer your question, risk has played a huge part in my life. Avoiding risk gave me a sense of well-being but only because everyone around me congratulated me for my seemingly risk-averse/high reward decision. It didn’t sit right with me because that well-being was based on external circumstances. Happiness can’t be solely based on external factors. That’s too much power to give to things you can’t necessarily control. I took pause and looked myself in the mirror. I forced myself to dig deep and sit with my motivations. I thought about what I wanted my life to say, more so than my career.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is an expression of my yearning to be surrounded by things that are beautiful and timeless. Quality and attention to detail are important to me because they bring a sense of peace and serenity. I’m an anxious person so when I’m surrounded by things that don’t resonate with me aesthetically, I feel myself tighten. I think what sets me apart from others is what I have to say. I know that I see something different. I’m most excited about recontextualizing my references through fashion. I got to where I am today professionally by just putting myself out there and believing that I had something personal to say that would resonate with other neurodivergent people. Nothing worth having is easy, but there is no blueprint for what we as creatives do. Anyone with a vision has to overcome the challenge of it bothering others, and the feeling of isolation that can result. That’s why I keep family close, not just the family I was born into, but the family I chose. I found myself not having the empathy and understanding of people who I thought were family. I also realized who had my back regardless. I’ve learned that if you don’t have a solid foundation of who you are, your integrity is easily swayed.

This is why by brand, 6AM, is extremely important as an extension of me and my solidarity. Fulfilling my purpose is something that I try to live by every day. 6AM is a manifestation of that for not only me, but hopefully for others (which is why the mission statement is debossed on the back of every hang tag). I believe that the secret to a fulfilling, therein happy life, comes from focused work and dedication, but also enjoying the journey.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I wanted to show my best friend who was visiting the area a good time, I would probably have them get up early to go to Malibu so we can hit up the beach while the sun is coming up, and before the crowds come in. Then we’d go get breakfast from somewhere that has a good view of the water. Maybe hit up Tortoise General Store. Do some vintage shopping, probably check out Wasteland on Fairfax. Grab some tea in Little Tokyo and eat lunch nearby and flaneur the Arts District. Walk around Hauser & Wirth. In the evening, check out The Normandie Club, and the nearby lounges with DJs. The next day is brunch in Weho with my mentor and crew and lounging by the pool.

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?
Charles Harbison

Website: https://www.6ambrennanmanuel.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/6amUS

Image Credits
Photo: Kay J. Matsuyama Model: Nathan Ansermet