Meet Winston
“I want to use the power of garments to explore what it means to be Black and to be loved, feared, respected, and hated, often all at the same time.”
-Winston Douah
We’re excited to highlight Winston Douah, whose enthusiasm and initiative have stood out throughout the Hems & Brims cohort. Winston has brought a genuine openness to learning while exploring new possibilities and building a stronger understanding of the fashion industry.
That openness is reflected in how Winston describes this early stage of a professional career:
“I am at the beginning of my professional career. I am very new to this, like an infant just learning to crawl.”
Over the past few months, Winston has gained a clearer understanding of how many people and areas of expertise are involved in bringing a creative vision to life. Learning more about the different roles within fashion has also expanded Winston’s understanding of the career paths available within the industry.
The Business of Fashion course has been especially useful. An early lesson on networking and relationship building stood out for its focus on creating genuine connections between creatives. As Winston prepares to enter a second year at SAIC, building those relationships without making every interaction feel transactional is something Winston hopes to approach with greater intention.
One accomplishment Winston is especially proud of is independently producing a fashion show. The self-funded show involved everything from handmade invitations and garment creation to fittings and finding models. Taking on each part of the process reflects the kind of creative independence Winston hopes to continue developing.
At the center of Winston’s work is an interest in Black identity and the stories that can be told through fashion. This includes exploring Blackness in both the United States and Africa while reflecting the strength of cultural traditions alongside the histories and experiences that have shaped them.
For Winston, being part of a community of emerging Black fashion creatives means learning from different perspectives, building genuine connections, and sharing knowledge with others.
Looking ahead, Winston wants to explore the complexities of Black identity and express those experiences through garments.
“I want to use the power of garments to explore what it means to be Black and to be loved, feared, respected, and hated, often all at the same time.”
We look forward to seeing Winston’s creative voice continue to grow through work that uses fashion to explore the complexities of Black identity and experience.
