Ray Brown of the Ray Vincente label is one of those hidden treasures, which, when found, there is much rejoicing!After meeting Ray last Saturday at the Menswear Collection Show at DC Fashion Week, I sat back in a hall of excited onlookers and watched his menswear collection on the catwalk.
True to his word, the line displayed an eclectic mix of ethnic blends and cultural flavors.
At the end of the gala, I was more than eager to sit down with Ray and become better acquainted with him; besides, I had so many questions after his first interview with me.
Last week, Ray, you said that you began designing because you wanted to express your own personality…
Yes.
So how would you describe yourself?
Very eclectic! I have always picked pieces from very different genres and put them together to represent how I was feeling that day or what I was doing in my life at that time.
How did you become so ‘eclectic’?Actually from my family… I have Ethiopian in my family. My mother’s maiden name is McQuaige, so we have Scottish—obviously African, and Native American as well. So there is a big mixture of many different cultures and we have always celebrated them all. It was never one culture; it was always a mixture of all the different cultures.
How did you carry that over to your designs?
I was raised being told about my background: my family made a family history tree. As I went into it, finding out what was going on, I saw the cultures, the clothing, the colors, the fabrics—everything! And I just embraced it, because I thought it was all part of me.
Who is the man that wears Ray Vincente?
The Ray Vincente man is very much an individualist. He’s a gentleman who knows how to be “gentle” with other people. He is also a masculine male, [but] not macho. He is comfortable in his own skin, not trying to be someone else, and he wants his clothing to represent who he is.
In what way can a man be an individualist with Ray Vincente?With the clothing line, I never tell people to dress head to toe with Ray Vincente. I say, “Take pieces from the collection, mix it in with what you have, and make it your own.”
Last week, you told me that you want to establish a unique look… So how do you define ‘unique’?
Unique goes back to individualism. I think if everybody takes pieces and works with what they have—both their body and their closets—they will be nothing but unique, because everybody has their own personality. So use it to learn what your body is like, what your likes and dislikes are, and pick pieces that compliment that. And don’t be afraid to try things. Sometimes we are stuck in, “We can only wear this or only wear that.” If you don’t like it, just take it off! (Chuckle)
How do you think American men’s fashion compares to the many places that you have visited abroad?
I think American men are becoming curious about clothing, because we have been very straightforward for years. In the past when we saw influences from Europe or South Africa, we thought, “Hmm, we can’t wear that; it doesn’t work for us.” But, now, we are starting to see men open up and try things to find out what can work—other than jeans and a t-shirt. (Chuckle)
Where do you envision Ray Vincente going?I actually want it to be an international company. I want it to be a company that can offer jobs to young people that are getting into the field. I want it to become a company that develops over time into a lifestyle brand. I want it to be something that is very socially conscious…and to represent my faith. I believe in God and His Word, so I want to make sure that the line always keeps that in mind and doesn’t go too far one way or the other.
Any words for the readers around the globe?
Welcome to Ray Vincente! I think many cultures from around the world will look at Ray Vincente and see a part of themselves in it, and I believe that will be a welcome in itself.
Thank you, Ray, and the best of success to you!
Photos top left Copyright Shy Magazine.
All other photos CopyrightRay Vincente.
Slideshow Copyright DC Fashion Week.
