L&L : The Interview

The Long Awaited Interview Is Finally Here !!! 

Remember back in March when a created a post about the rise of an up and coming fashion designer Lavan Lamar who creates "L&L"; an affordable urban-upscaled clothing line that provides the most dopest Tees, Sweatshirts and Hoodies. Some designs are original while others give off a distressed look. If you didn't catch the post about L&L then I highly suggest you click here. 

I reached out to the head designer who is Lavan out of L&L (Lavan Lamar) and asked if it was alright if I could interview him. He responded to me humbly and it was a GO! Sadly due to our crazy schedules and chaotic timing we both couldn't be able to meet each other and film it, but I did send in some questions you readers might want to know as well as myself and he answered each and every one. 

The Interview...

LaTroyW: Tell me a little about yourself. Where are you from? What's your educational background? What are your general professional and non-professional interests?

L&L: My Names Is Jhakyse "Lavan" Williams (From Westfield NJ), I'm 21, and I am the dead designer of "Lavan Lamar" ! Last school year, I attended Delaware State University where I was an apparel & textiles major. Since starting the brand, I am now back in New Jersey & focusing on expanding it (Currently going to a Local community college nearby where I take a Business and an English class).

LaTroyW: When did you realize you wanted to become a fashion designer?

L&L: I've always been into fashion and wanted to do a line, but never felt I had a concept or design that would stay in style and last for the long run. Once coming up with the current "L&L" logo & sampling out to get feedback,  I knew this would be the one to help me get my foot in the door.

LaTroyW: What does fashion mean to you?

 L&L:Fashion to me is being able to express yourself through your clothing and accessories, whether you're making them to sell or buying them. 

   LaTroyW: How would you define your personal style?

L&L: My Style I like to define as High - End Street Wear : Mixing High - End Brands & Urban Clothing or Accessories (Wearing A Givenchy Tee, with a pair of Jordans for example).

LaTroyW: Who are some of your favorite designers?

L&L: Favorite Designers; Givenchy, 40oz Nyc (Hats), Rhude, Balmain, Fear Of God, Don C (Hats), Pyrex (Virgil Abloh), TI$A (Taz Arnold), Zara, Rick Owens, Margiela, MCM (Accessories).

LaTroyW: How long does it usually take you to construct a piece?

L&L: Constructing a piece can go anywhere from 1 day to a week or two, that's just finalizing one before deciding to mass produce it.

LaTroy: Describe the general process you go through to design and realize a piece of clothing.

L&L: First, I usually decide on the colors I want to mix/match together. Second, is sampling different tee's and sweatshirt fabrics seeing what feels better on the body during the specific season. Third, after finding the tee's and sweatshirts I will be using, the next thing I work on is Logo Placement making sure it will not only look right on the tee or sweatshirt but also on the customers body.

LaTroyW: What's your favorite part about conceptualizing a design?

L&L: My favorite part is usually seeing the people's reaction to a piece I designed and also seeing that the customer is pleased with their purchase. . . If they're not pleased, then i'm not, which means it's back to the drawing board correcting what needs to be fixed.

LaTroyW: What are your favorite fabrics to work with and why?

L&L: Combed Cotton, softer than regular and all the customers tend to notice it's softer & love the feel also.

LaTroyW: What are your favorite colors to work with and why?

L&L: Don't really have a favorite color to work with, but the most fun so far is Spring 2013 which will be released really really soon (colors worked with were pink, blue, green, and yellow) !

LatroyW: What do you dislike about designing clothes?

L&L: I dislike not meeting deadlines and when everything doesn't go as planned in terms of receiving product on time and putting it out on time. . . makes things complicated and stressful.

LaTroyW: What do you like best about designing clothes?

L&L: The thing I like best about designing is seeing pleased customers because at the end of the day pleasing them means I'm doing my job right, if they're not pleased then I'm in trouble lol (You can't please everyone at the end of the day but if I have more pleased than not pleased I'm ok with that). 

LaTroyW: Where do you get your inspiration?

L&L: When designing, I design based on how I feel at the moment. . .

LaTroyW: What are some of your fashion goals?

L&L: Some of my fashion goals are to expose the brand a lot more, get in stores, get on more celebs, get it in magazines and eventually open my own Lavan Lamar Offices. 

LaTroyW: What are some of your favorite fashion websites, magazines, or books?

 L&L: Upscalehype.com, Purrrr.com, Naked2Fashion.com, Fashionbombdaily.com, hypebeast.com, TUMBLR, GQ Magazine, Complex, Fader, Esquire just to name a few.

LaTroyW: What advice do you have for aspiring fashion designers?

L&L: Sample your products before mass producing. Make sure you have people around you that can carry their weight. Never settle for less than what you think you deserve and be original . . . Also if this is what you really want, Trademark Your Name, Logo's and Designs.

LaTroyW: Where can readers buy your clothes?

L&L: www.LavanLamar.com

LaTroyW: Where can readers find out more about you and your work? And are there any upcoming projects/designs we should look out for?

L&L: Lavan Lamar Facebook Page, Lavan Lamar Tumblr, Lavan Lamar Twitter Page, & My IG @Lavan_Williams, & Be On The Look Out For Spring 2013 Limited Edition Distressed! 

BONUS QUESTIONS

“THIS OR THAT”

LaTroyW: Kanye West OR ASVP Rocky Style?

L&L: Kanye West

LaTroyW: Leggings on Females Wearing WEDGE BOOTS OR UGG BOOTS?

L&L: Wedge Boots

LaTroyW: Kim Kardashian Or Tamar Braxton Maternity Style?

L&L: Kim Kardashian 

LaTroyW: Who Do You Think Holds More Power In The Fashion Industry Andre Leon Tally OR Anna Wintour?

L&L: Anna Wintour

LaTroyW: New York City OR London, UK? 

L&L: New York

Once Again Thank You To Lavan For The Interview & There Be Sure To Support The L&L Brand!!!