Today we’d like to introduce you to Lemaiya Devauzea Thompson.
Hi Lemaiya Devauzea, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Starting off as just a passionate creative in high school I would sell at markets and started my own jewelry company at 18 years old. I always had an eye for beautiful things, structural design, and up cycling.
I started an earring business called Devauzea crochet, mixing knitwear in yarn material.
Overtime I started to take chances on how to make clothes and started custom orders after finishing high school and through college. It wasn’t until I was around 21 years old, where I took a chance on myself and food to New York for the first time to present a New York Fashion Week collection. Growing up, I traveled a lot. I think that it gave me an eye for architecture, but also just seeing the world in different viewpoints, allowing me to express myself through fashion and express myself in more ways than one. My first solo trip to New York City might have been a regular trip to anyone else while taking eight classes, first time in a big state with 10 designs in my suitcase. It was beyond exciting for me in the beginning of Devauzea as a clothing brand. I became my own everything, my own cheerleader, my own social media marketing, my own pattern maker.
Before you know it, I have a community of creative ready to work collaborate and do what they can to expand my vision and I am forever grateful for that. There’s so much more that goes into devauzea but my motto is unraveling the ordinary at all cost. I make art to wear!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As the first ever in my family to pursue Fashion in this way, as well as as an additional career, it is everything but simple. I’m hitting learning curves as I go, but I definitely wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
So starting off Devauzea is known for customizable and up cycling work, I like to use vintage or recycled fabrications to create something completely new.
As a brand I specialize in one of one pieces and I’m now working on a capsule collection for those who are wanting every day wearables.
I’m passionate about customizing pieces because I know that there is always one or two special things for people and creatives that make them feel confident and if I can nail that in a look or piece , that is usually what I go for. Devauzea is its own niche, I am in between street style and couture the next. It’s all about the collection within itself the purpose within it and what my client needs.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
DETERMINATION
A LEVEL OF DELUSION
BEING YOUR BIGGEST CHEERLEADER
PASSION OVER OPINION
When no one is watching , when cameras are off and social media is closed. Making sure you know your why is a really big part for me
Pricing:
- Pricing will always vary within customs, but when my capsule wardrobe releases, everything will be on my website, February!
- Website relaunch February loading!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @devauzea
Image Credits
PHOTOS BY
JUSTIN PULLEY @duhmarr (IG)
KAYLA SIMONE @photosbykaylasimone
JOANNE RAE @ joanneraen
