1. What inspired you to become a fashion designer?
I started wearing suits every day in college. I’m a bigger guy and I felt way more confident in them. I believe I was a sophomore going into my junior year when I started. I have worn suits and tuxes ever since. Soon people started asking me where I got them all from and I was pointing people in all different directions. I finally realized that was foolish of me because I was literally throwing money away. So I decided to start doing them myself. On top of that, a lot of things people wear are so basic and boring so I wanted to change things up a little.
2. What is your designing philosophy, what do you keep in mind while designing?
You have to keep the client in mind because it really is all about them. Regardless of what I am doing, I have to make sure my looks are unique as well. When designing for clients and myself I make sure it is something I would personally wear and be proud of. General rule of thumb, if I won’t wear it, you shouldn’t either and to be honest I truly am not that picky when it comes to other people’s clothing.
3. What is your brand all about?
LeGrand Leseur is really above affordable luxury. I will make you look good and not unnecessarily charge you an arm and a leg to do so. When I design something for you, I want you to be able to go to a red carpet event and know that you look better than anyone else in room without question. I believe that if you can change the way someone dresses you can change that same person’s outlook on life and themselves.
4. How has your brand evolved over the years?
I started officially in November. It hasn’t even been a year yet. How have I evolved since then? Well the main thing is I am constantly working on how I sketch, although it currently gets the job done, I feel that it is still pretty amateur.
5. Which markets are you currently catering too?
I am currently catering to men from the ages of 18-60. Though that is a very wide range, it is the range of clients that I currently have. I specifically target those who walk on the red carpet and go to major events. I will be working on women’s wear soon.
6. What would you call the “Defining moment of your Career”?
To be honest, I don’t know yet. I am still new to the scene even though I have been receiving a lot of praise, I do not feel I am at the point to even have a defining moment for my career. That fact that it started at all I feel is my defining moment for now.
7. The business cycle is not easy to endure. Can you name a Guru who guided you?
I never had one. I have hit up multiple designers and entrepreneurs in my area asking if they would like to collaborate or exchange ideas and such and absolutely no one got back to me. I have hit up fashion houses in the area. Nothing comes back. So I literally said “fuck it” I’ll do this on my own. Now I am one of the most known people in Philadelphia with arguably one of fasting growing fashion houses in the area.
People come up to me on the street and say “Hey, I saw you at such and such event. I love your work. Do you have a card?” I attend a ton of events in the area to help people put a face with the name and I received a very positive reaction that way. I don’t have to be well liked in the local fashion world for me to take over the fashion world. It will happen regardless of who is on my side or not.
8. When you see your suits looking good on an individual, how do you feel?
Best feeling in the world when it is mine. I made a suit for a buddy of mine for New Year’s Eve last year. It was an amazing silver and black 2 button. He wanted it to take some girl out for that night. Turns out, they have ended up dating and I do believe they are together still today. So yes I’ll take that credit thank you very much. For everyone else, I feel that a lot of their stuff is boring. Everyone has a one color navy blue, black and silver suit. That’s the standard. It is “timeless” sure, but it’s truly outdated which is where I come in. You want something unique and interesting you hit me up.
9. In case of an unsatisfactory customer, do you accept criticism; ever lose your temper?
I don’t really have them. There are two types of people that come to me. Either A) you have an idea that you want me to tighten up and then produce or B) you want me to design a few looks from you to pick from. Either way you have to put a down payment down first for me to even start working on something so you already know what you are getting yourself into. There is no temper to be had. I am too busy being happy and living my life to worry about the feelings and opinions of others.
10. What thrills you?
Coming up with new designs ideas is always great. The new staple of LeGrand Leseur is angled buttons holes and triangle cuts on the wrist which allow a little more room for when you decide to open your cuffs up and roll your sleeves up. It is the little things that I come up with that is really thrilling to me.
11. Your competitors in business, are they a threat?
Threat? Nah, I am my own competition. I always want to top my last suit, my last jacket, my last interview, my last photo shoot. Everyone else is irrelevant. If you start any business with the sole purpose to worry about your competitors you might as well not even start it. Do what you do for the love of the art and money will follow one way or another. You have to do what you love.
12. How do you see your work, five years from now?
I honestly can’t tell you. I know by then I will be a lot bigger than I am now but as all things, my art shall evolve.
13. Any fashion advice you want to give to youth?
Gentlemen pull your pants up. Women pull your skirts down. I do not know when in society that this became acceptable but we really have to stop this. Gentlemen, regardless of where you go and what you do in life, suit the hell up at least once a week .You’ll feel better about yourself and open new doors while gaining new opportunities. Do what you love and follow your dreams.