Meet Christian Caldwell

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Christian Caldwell . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Christian , so happy you were able to devote some time to sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our community. So, we’ve always admired how you have seemingly never let nay-sayers or haters keep you down. Can you talk to us about how to persist despite the negative energy that so often is thrown at folks trying to do something special with their lives?
As an entrepreneur, I’ve come to realize there is no way to avoid nay-sayers, haters or people who will not support your vision. I’ve come to combat this by staying true to myself and having confidence in myself and brand. I admit, it can be a challenge! But I persist by staying focused, taking risks, and not caring about what others think. I also make sure to surround myself with positive and like-minded individuals within my village of family and friends.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I work full time as an apparel designer for a corporate design company while also maintaining my personal brand Christian Allana part time. The past couple years, I have been building my clientele by designing custom bridal, prom or special event apparel and gowns. This year, my focus has shifted back to focusing and creating looks from my own brand.

My most recent launch that I am excited to share is my second collaboration collection with SheinX. I am so thankful for the opportunity to create another collection with the major retailer. My new collection is inspired by beautiful vacation looks. I love bright colors, bold prints, and different textures.

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?
There are a wide range of skills that are necessary for anyone in the design field. The top three skills that have been the most impactful in my journey include creativity / innovation, knowledge of design related software, and having great communication skills. Creativity / Innovation is key for any brand. The ability to be able to share your vision and to come up with unique ways to stand out from other brands / designers. Design related computer skills are imperative! The ability to create my own tech packs and website has been useful and helped me save money when it came to working with production companies. And lastly, great communication skills. This was a good skill to have since I am regularly communicating with clients and vendors.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
I would say the most impactful decision my mother made was investing in my talent and interest at an early age. I always enjoyed art and fashion;  My mother signed me up for art classes year-round and I also had a sewing teacher at the age 12.