An introduction to Connect’s fashion columnist

I, Danietté A.Thomas, am the founder, lead designer, stylist, and creative director of DANIETTÉ, a company working to elevate the image, brand, and value of professionals all over the U.S.

When I entered middle school at age 11, it was the first time I went to school without the textile composite of a school uniform. I could never find the apparel I imagined shopping for once I started to shop for school clothes. So, I began to sketch. After finishing my school work, I was happiest with printer paper and a sharp #2 pencil.

The sketching was simply a way to keep a record of my ideas, but one day my professor asked if I planned to make my designs. I laughed and claimed such a thing was impossible.

I was amazed to learn from that same professor that I could get fabric and a sewing machine from a local fabric store and learn how patterns were created for the different shapes needed for clothing. I knew I wanted to be a fashion designer by the end of that school day. By age 12, I sought after the Savannah College of Art and Design. For years I was self-taught, but then paid a SCAD master’s student to give me lessons while in high school. My experience at SCAD was one of the greatest of my life thus far.

I was selected amongst my senior classmates to showcase my senior collection in the annual SCAD Fashion Show. Still, my collection was recognized at the private after-party by Andre Leon Talley, as the best in show.

In the Fall of 2015, I was commissioned for my first custom couture piece, and immediately filed the necessary paperwork to start my own business, and have been creating couture ever since.

My accomplishments include two seasons at New York Fashion Week, and the opportunity to showcase my designs at the Oscars in 2020.

More recently, I was inspired to create new content for marketing at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of consistently sharing photos and sketches of my wedding and prom garments from previous seasons, I did a #quarantined photoshoot with designer masks to compliment my designs. I got a reaction online that was like no other for my business.

I celebrated five years in business in September of 2020.

Tenaciously surviving a pandemic and its consequences, I now am full-time into my business as opposed to balancing my passion with a 9-to-5 job. As of fall of 2020, I work my couture brand while offering styling and creative director services for a prominent list of small businesses all over the country.