At Home With Fashion Designer Reuben Reuel
Photographs by Erika Layne
Reuben Reuel’s womenswear brand, DEMESTIK, is making waves in the fashion world. The designer has a celebrity clientele that includes Beyonce, Jill Scott, Tamron Hall and Andra Day, and is dedicated to creating culturally-inspired pieces that truly make women shine.
We sat down with the designer in his Brooklyn apartment, where he both lives and works, to discuss the inspiration behind his designs.
AC: Tell us about your designs and what’s inspired your fashion aesthetic
RR: The inspiration for my designs derives from my love of color and print. The designs speaks to my love for classic American style and African heritage.
AC: You’ve designed for some of the biggest pop stars in the world, but you’ve always maintained that your biggest motivation is making everyday women feel like stars in your clothes. Where does that focus come from and how does it continue to influence the way you design your pieces?
RR: I just feel like every woman should beautiful in clothes, not just celebrities. I love the balance of being able to touch the lives of all women.
AC: As an African American designer who uses Dutch African wax print fabric to create very modern dresses, Diaspora must have a very specific meaning for you. How do you see Diaspora at work in each of your pieces at the intersection of where the pattern comes from, the aesthetic of the design and the lifestyle that you’re designing for?
RR: I am an African American designer and I want to bring my story and culture into my designs. It’s important as a designer to be authentic and inspire through your own ideas and story.
AC: You’ve been branching out in a lot of interesting new ways lately, appearing in a nationwide Toyota campaign in the United States as well as a new line of bedding. What’s next for Reuben Reuel?
RR: I am currently planning to move from New York City to St. Louis, Missouri, and am relocating my business for growth. It is an exciting time for DEMESTIK for sure!