Meet Donny White | Creative Director, Donny White Designs, LLC

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

Hi Donny, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Basically I wanted to help my customers with the paradox of choice. Being a veteran myself with a fashion background I found that most of my friends and co-workers came to me with many questions on how to dress professionally. I have always loved fashion since I was a kid and the business is a natural evolution which combines helping people and doing what I love.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Fashion Design has always been a creative outlet for me while I was in the military and I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to do it full time now! I design mainly for the middle age demographic because I personally feel like mainstream fashion forgets about you once you turn 40. Being 48 myself I felt like there was a void that I was more than happy to fill. As far as my design aesthetic I consider myself a classic designer with a modern edge. I believe clothes should last a lifetime with an intent to pass down to the next generation. I also design each collection as a capsule wardrobe for the working professional that stands up to both work and play.

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 like this question! Eat: Sushi Gah in Pasadena for the salmon teriyaki bento box. Drink: Whiskey Sour definitely at the Blind Donkey Whiskey Bar also in Pasadena. Visit:Rodeo Drive Melrose and West Hollywood for shopping and the Arts District Downtown to hangout.

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 have a lot of people to thank! I definitely believe in “it takes a village!” Shout out to my parents Claude and Denise White who have been an amazing support system throughout this career change. Shout out to all of my instructors who have poured into me as an aspiring artist. Each one gave me the tools I needed to create my own thumbprint and carve out my own space in fashion design. Teacher’s of note Finna Drebskaya who gave me my skill in clothing construction, Paul Keng and Susan Monte for fashion illustration, Wayne Kastning, and Anna Leiker for being my rocks at Woodbury University and lastly to Olivia Booth for being a mentor, supporter, and friend!

Website: https://donnywhitedesigns.com

Instagram: donny.white.9231

Other: Immersivehh2o.net for plus-size swimwear where I collaborate with my classmate Emily Weise

Image Credits
Donny White
Ivan Gonzales