Who said a man couldn’t conquer the world of couture? Twenty-two year old fashion extraordinaire Donald Mirander (DM) has proved us wrong. The creator of ‘Rednarim’ is currently a student of the University of Technology, pursuing Bachelors is Apparel Design, Production and Management.  Donald describes himself as an adventurous individual who enjoys all areas of arts and someone who indeed has a passion for fashion.TA: Why the name ‘Rednarim’? I understand that it is your last name spelt backwards, but what makes it so significant?DM: I chose Rednarim because I needed a name that would represent not just me but my family name as well. I think my surname is a unique one and so I didn’t want to throw it out completely. If you look up the logo you will notice that it is a mirrored image of Rednarim, which is just simply stating that the brand is “Rednarim by Mirander”. The significance behind Rednarim is that whilst I have created an image/name for myself, if one should put those letters in front of a mirror or flip the word, they would get “Mirander” which shows that my family is always with me. They have and will always support me and my family name will always be with me. By choosing Rednarim I am not only in the process of creating a name for myself but also my family.

TA: When did you decide fashion designing is what you wanted to do?DM: I tell people all the time that my journey in fashion started way before I came to realize it. I say this because growing up I would always be sketching and colouring. I was also one who would spend hours shopping in one store, just having the best time trying on different clothes and then walking out with new clothes and a smile on my face. From a young age, my family and I discovered I was really good at designing/sketching and so they would always get me more and more sketch pads as well as they would look to me for advice when they needed to put an outfit together for an event. Whilst attending Glenmuir High School, I also played an active role in the designing of costumes for various competitions as well I was also the school’s go to decorator. The funny part about my story is I actually wanted to get a degree in Law and then eventually go into fashion, and so I did all the necessary CSEC and CAPE subjects. However, after I found out that UTech was offering Fashion, I did a total 360 and didn’t even apply for Law. The best part about making that decision was that my family members were just like “okay, cool, do whatever you want to do”. So whether I was at home sketching or advising, at my high school designing costumes or decorating the auditorium, fashion and the use of fabric has always been a part of my life.

TA: Being a male, in what some may still consider a female dominated industry, has the choice to pursue fashion ever altered what your male counterparts think of you?DM: I totally understand what you are saying, but it’s not a female dominated industry, it’s rather an industry that persons in society associate with being feminine or just for the females. I say it is not female dominated as today we have males like Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfiger, Olivier Rousteing and Kanye West holding their own. Going back to the topic of these persons in society though, the size of that group is slowly but surely decreasing because of how fashion has evolved over the years and because of what the brave enough males in the industry have done and have continued to do. As it relates to the second part of the question, all my brethrens have done nothing but encourage me. They are smart enough to know that fashion is something that everyone takes part in , including they themselves,  as we all have a favourite jeans, that we all like to maybe pair with the latest sneakers. In fact, we guys all know that, if we aren’t properly dressed, then we can’t expect to approach the ladies. So we have to look clean and our images have to be up.

TA: Are there any upcoming projects you are working on or events you will be showcasing your work in?DM: I am currently working on a new collection that will be released in spring of next year. The shoot for that collection will be much bigger and better than the one I just did with the current official face of my brand Kadijah Robinson. I haven’t done a shoot since May and even though we have a small one to do this November for academic purposes, it is the big one that we (myself and my team inclusive of : Tanice Hunter, Nicquay Mirander-Parker, Jacqueline Mirander-Johnson, Sandra Williamson, Chantel Levy and Kadijah Robinson) are really looking forward to.

TA: Where can people find you or purchase any pieces?DM: Persons can go ahead and look me on up on Instagram (@rednarim) or email me at rednarim@hotmail.com.