Today we’d like to introduce you to DW
Hi DW, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
For me it all started with participating in a spirit week activity. It was celebrity day and my friends recommended I dress up, but as someone not too into fashion yet I didn’t know which celebrity to dress up as. My hightop fade at the time sold me on dressing up as Fresh Prince Will Smith, and the hype I received from that day began my love for fashion and modeling. Shortly after that I became a print model in 2019. Following my high school graduation in 2021, I came to the illustrious Morgan State University and joined the schools top high fashion runway organization Fashion at Morgan, and from there my modeling career has taken off. I’m now a highly favored black fashion creative , which means I model runway , model print , creatively direct , style , and design.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I believe everyone somewhat struggles on their journey to becoming who they want to be in this world. Everyone will be told no a few times and everyone simply has to get back up after that and keep moving forward because a no from one person can lead you to a yes from a better opportunity. So I’d most definitely say that getting accustomed to rejection was something that I struggled with in the beginning. Also trying to be perfect and comparing myself to the models and influencers who were ahead of me in their careers was something I learned was setting me back. “Comparison kills” is something I had to learn and is now something I adamantly live by.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a black fashion creative , which means I model runway , model print , creatively direct , style , and design. I take a lot of inspiration from my experience and culture as a black person in America. Mainly I’m known for the photoshoots I do and the runway shows and performances I’ve been apart of. I believe it’s known that if you want a creative, fashionable, male model for your shoot, I’m your guy due to the fact that I’m always working on my craft, looking for more ways to create and inspire. The project I’m most proud of at the moment is my recent shoot with Kevin Bua’s Urbn Mag. lt was a sporadic lifestyle shoot that resulted in amazing pictures. I love that as a creative we can take such minimal concepts and make them so much more with our talents. I feel as though everything about me sets me apart from others. I don’t try to be different, it more so just happens. Most times when I look around a room I’m in, I notice I have on the loudest outfit or the most colors. Minute things like that set me apart because I’m simply being who I am. The way I think and conceptualize things, set me apart. To simplifying everything, I am who I am, and I am who I think I am.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Along my journey, the lesson that’s stuck with me the most is that you have to act like the people you aspire to be. You have to train yourself to believe you’re already in the spaces you aspire to be in. You have to train your mind to believe you’ve already accumulated the success you’re striving for. Manifestation is a real thing and when you speak the life you want into existence and act upon it, you don’t have a choice but to be successful. Another lessson I’ve learned is that nobody’s perfect and you can’t please everyone. So as long as you’re doing what makes you happy then so be it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/theekingdw
- Other: https://pin.it/2f5SgRnxH
Image Credits
Jazzy Studios
Kevin Bua
Grumpy Panda Photography
Hai Rez Photography
Sean Burgandy
Jabari Thompson
