We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Desmond Monette a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Desmond , so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
I truly know that my success never was based on how I look, my race, etc. . Most of my work people have come in contact with outside of me before knowing me. I treat what I do as something way bigger than me, in which it is. All I do is beyond the physical realm. These ideas will survive with or without me.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Hello I’m Desmond Monette and I’m a fashion designer. What excites me the most about design in fashion is the ability to reimagine current ideas. I have a brand, Cousue (kwah•sue), in which we explore expressionism through the art of Fashion. Our Artistic view comes from Beauty of Life and its moments. No matter how mundane or exciting, we’ll explore it all; together. We just finished our first fashion show Nov. 8th. Depending on when this comes out, our menswear lookbook should be coming or already out. We’re very excited.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The Knowledge of belief is the most important. Belief and Reality are usually mixed up by us as people. When you learn what true belief is, it’ll broaden the scope of what’s possible in this life.
The skills of communication is something I didn’t realize was important in business and life in general. One thing I’ve heard from my mentor is “The worst thing about communication is thinking that it happened.”, so I’ve been focusing on being more thorough lately.
Lastly, the ability to let go. We hold on to so much and become so sensitive over “our ideas”. These things are traveling energies that choose us and not the other way around. Let go, and that’s when life will open its floodgates.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
Be undoubtedly supportive. As parents I know it’s hard to watch your kids make decisions and not know how it will turn out. You want to protect them but you can’t somtimes. All you can honestly do is enjoy the ride. I love my parents for never doubting and trusting not only me, but God who guides me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cousueofficial/
Image Credits
Ut Dallas, Dallas media company, Sean Do
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
