Young Professional Akeem Stanley is an emerging self-taught Fashion Designer. Photo: Provided

Young Virgin Islander fashion designer Akeem Stanley preparing a model with one of his creations. Photo: Provided

A model poses with one of the clothing designs of young fashion designer Akeem Stanley. Photo: Provided

Akeem Stanley with Pageant Coordinator Mrs Bisa Smith after being crowned Mr Fifth Form back in April 2015. Photo: VINO/File

This week’s Young Professional is Akeem Stanley, an emerging self-taught fashion designer, who is no stranger to the spotlight, being a former Mr Fifth Form and having participated in the biggest fashion event in the Virgin Islands, Summer Sizzle BVI.

“My main target is women’s wear fashion. As a fashion designer I want to create red carpet gowns and high end luxury fashion.”

Akeem said he has been designing from the early age of 10, drawing stick figures and pretty garments on them but not knowing at the time it was called fashion designing.

Inspiration

The inspiration for making fashion designing a career came for Akeem while watching red carpet events and seeing all the celebrities dressed in finest wear. “When they were asked ‘Who are you wearing?’ And they would reply ‘Calvin klein’.  I said to myself I want my name to be mentioned in that way.”

Our talented Young Professional said what he enjoys most about designing is “sketching the looking” and actually bringing it to life, then seeing the muse transformed into someone different.

Early highlights

Akeem has put no limit to his dreams and hopes to see his name called among the popular ones, such as Armani, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and Louis Vuitton. And while those are some of his grand goals, he already has some glowing highlights of his young career.

Participating in Summer Sizzle and creating a 10-piece collection have been some of his top accomplishments so far, as well as creating a look for the Host of Miss BVI 2016 Empress Jeanille Bonterre, a television host, producer and model.

Challenges

Akeem has vowed to be true to himself and his talent and aspires only for originality. This, however, can be a challenge with some clients looking for an existing look or fashion.

“One of my challenges as a designer in the BVI is creating looks that are fashion forward. Most times I am approached by clients to create something that is not aesthetic in my view and to duplicate a look that is not mine. This leaves me uninspired to do what I love. I, however, overcome this challenge by telling my client that I would prefer to create something that has my creative input from start to finish and then the challenge is overcome.”

Ambitions

Being ambitious as he is, Akeem not surprisingly wishes to see myself owning his fashion house and creating looks for high-end clients and more.

Akeem shared that he has never had any other career goals other than fashion designing.

Schooling

Our Young Professional is a product of the ‘Mighty Mighty’ Althea Scatliffe Primary School and the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS).

While pursuing his dreams in fashion designing, Akeem is also attending H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) where he is pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration.

Hobbies/Role models

Our emerging fashion designer enjoys listening to music, traveling, and just being creative.

Persons that have inspired Akeem include American fashion designers Zachary E. ‘Zac’ Posen and Christian Siriano, and German creative director, artist, and photographer based in Paris, Karl Otto Lagerfeld.

Advice to youth

Akeem is big on following up on passion and building on strengths, that is why he advises youth to be true to themselves and focus on whatever they discover is their talent.

“If there is something you are good at capitalise on it and pursue it until the world knows what it is.”