Meet Chanda Hopkins

We were lucky to catch up with Chanda Hopkins recently and have shared our conversation below.

Chanda, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

Throughout my life, I’ve often found myself as the only one in various settings, whether it’s being the sole Black girl in my class on a military base or the only person of color, or woman in professional spaces like high end salons, spas, or photography events. Despite this, I’ve always embraced being myself and contributing my ideas confidently. While facing occasional skepticism or questions about my presence, especially as a woman in male-dominated fields like photography, I’ve learned to stand tall and recognize that my contributions are valuable. I’ve come to understand that my ideas and experiences matter just as much as anyone else’s, and if I’m at the table, it’s because I belong there. Embracing this mindset has allowed me to be effective and make meaningful contributions in any environment I find myself in.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’d love to share a bit about myself. At my core, I see myself as an artist. My journey in the artistic realm officially, began while living in New York City. There, I had the opportunity to connect with art collectors from diverse backgrounds, showcasing and selling my work which spans across mediums like paintings, collages, and miniature works of art. One of my greatest joys is photography, particularly capturing the essence of people through portraiture. What sets my photography apart is the holistic approach I take – from conceptualizing the entire look, including designing and sewing outfits, to meticulously crafting hair, makeup, and styling, and finally, capturing and editing the perfect shot. The process, from start to finish, fills me with an immense sense of fulfillment and joy. In addition to portraits, I am also a food photographer and have collaborated with nearly a hundred restaurants to create appealing images for their menus, marketing materials, and social media platforms. I am a big time foodie, so it’s a delightful fusion of my passion for photography and appreciation for culinary artistry. I’m happy to share that my photography has gained recognition, with my work being featured on reputable platforms such as Yahoo, House Beautiful, The Knot, I Heart Radio, and BuzzFeed, as well as being sold through Getty Images. Fashion has always been another avenue for my creative expression. From a young age, I’ve been sketching, designing, and sewing clothing. Interestingly, my journey into fashion design was sparked by the reaction to my abstract paintings – many expressed a desire to wear them. Leveraging advancements in technology, I began offering my art on clothing through print-on-demand platforms. Eventually, I took a leap and applied for Shein’s Designer X Program, and have successfully launched two collections with them. The response has been overwhelming, and I’m thrilled to see my designs resonating with people. I love reading reviews where women say that my clothing makes them feel beautiful! Lastly, I’ve ventured into sustainable fashion with my custom clothing line, CHRedux2, based here in Austin, Texas. It made its debut during Austin Fashion Week 2022, and I’m currently preparing to showcase my 2024 Spring/Summer Collection at Kenny Dorman’s Backyard on March 15th, during the upcoming SXSW Festival and then again on May 18th at the Free To Be Fest , which is a two day expressive multi media arts festival at Riches Art Gallery, which is the only Black owned art gallery in Austin. I am excited about these upcoming opportunities to share my work with a wider audience and shed light on the growing fashion and art scene in Austin.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Three qualities that have been instrumental in my artistic journey are creativity, spirituality, and resilience. Creativity takes the lead because, as an artist, I would be nowhere without it. It’s my creative lens that allows me to envision possibilities in materials that others might overlook. My creative vision intertwines with my spirituality. For instance, when I started selling my art and needed canvases, but lacked the funds to buy them, I turned to my spirituality. I prayed and asked God for help. He answered almost immediately. After praying, I was guided to get up and take the trash out. I went and discovered that the construction site next door was throwing out brand new kitchen cabinet doors! Through my creative eye, they transformed into over a hundred “framed” canvas alternatives, all of which I eventually sold! Resilience is the third quality one must have. It’s crucial for navigating the unpredictable nature of life, especially the life of an artist living solely off of your artwork. Not everything goes as planned, and often, you need to attempt things multiple times. Resilience is about taking hits and refusing to stay down. There were days when I just needed to cry it out, but my art has always been a part of my healing process. I cry. I create something new, and I feel a little bit better and in that process, resilience builds. Time passes, new projects emerge, and the cycle begins anew. When faced with obstacles, I just keep going, using my creativity to craft something new. If it ever becomes overwhelming, my faith and spirituality guides me. I pray for guidance, I pray for materials. I pray for divine connections and I eagerly await the answers. For someone starting their journey, I would advise developing faith and nurturing your creativity. Feed your creative soul with vibrant colors, positive emotions, and joyful experiences. Fill yourself with good to radiate good back out into the world. When faced with challenges, pray, and ask for help. These practices have been my anchor, and I believe they can guide others on their creative journeys.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I’m always on the lookout for collaborators, especially those who excel in the back end of business—be it accounting, marketing, or non-creative tasks, which I find a bit challenging. If you’re someone savvy with website management, that’s a plus too! Collaboration is key for me, and I love teaming up with like-minded individuals.  I’ve come to the realization that I can’t do it all alone, although I’ve always been fortunate to have a supportive community on my journey. I’m particularly seeking photographers and videographers who can capture my work. Models, especially those new to the scene or looking to build their portfolios, are always welcome since I’m a small business with a big heart. I value individuals who are passionate about modeling and the industry. My openness extends to all creatives and those seeking art, photography, or sustainable clothing. Given my role as a sustainable designer, if you’re a fabric company or another designer interested in collaboration, count me in! Additionally, I’m eager to connect with anyone in the textile industry with surplus materials they’d like to divert from landfills. Project Runway’s “Unconventional Materials Challenge” has always fascinated me, so if you are a business looking to feature creative transformations of materials otherwise discarded ,reach out to me, as these kinds of transformations resonate with my commitment to sustainability. Waste bothers me, and what some see as waste, I see as beauty and potential. I’m keen on collaborating with individuals who share this perspective and want to re-purpose raw materials instead of discarding them. In essence, I’m open to exciting projects with creative, down-to-earth individuals who share a passion for making something extraordinary out of the ordinary. If that sounds like you, let’s collaborate! I can be reached at [email protected]

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Chanda Hopkins

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