Meet Ali Jawad

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ali Jawad. 

Hi Ali, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Hi 🙂 I am Ali Jawad. Fashion designer, creator, innovator, artist, and so much more. I am Lebanese American and born and raised in Dearborn Michigan, suburbs of Detroit. 

I first got started in the fashion design industry back in 2013, when I got accepted to FIDM. The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. I studied there for a few years back and forth while working any possible fashion job I could find. Whether it was rhinestoning a bra for a drag queen or styling a cover of a magazine at Milk studios, even working in dress shops in Downtown LA, I was determined to somehow get my foot in this glamours world we call fashion. 

I am a very dedicated person. It’s in my DNA to work hard, show up, and stay focused on what my vision of my life is. I remember applying to the big Debut fashion show FIDM does every year, where they only accept 10 students to work 9 long months in building a 12-look collection that debuts at the Santa Monica Barker Hanger for 4 days with over 5 thousand people. I applied 3 times until I got in because I was so determined to be on that stage and show the world just what I can do. In between that time, time, I did other fashion shows, through the school, or working LA fashion week as well. The debut show really put me on the map, however, and things just started to grow more from that. I was still working jobs here and there and doing tons of freelance as well. I ran the Charbel Zoe Couture showroom on Melrose ave, still managed the DTLA HERMZ dress store, was going to school for 2 different programs back-to-back, the bachelor’s in design and Debut program, and I was freelancing for KCD production company as well. I never really gave myself a break, but I didn’t want one. I knew this was such a high of a thrill of a feeling that’s gonna get me on top one day. After debut, I was asked to do Phoenix Arizona fashion week, and also El Paseo fashion week in Palm Springs. I added some new looks in the collection, and I had the chance to work with Disney Star and old Highschool friend, Garret Clayton. We collaborated on some looks together and still remain such great friends. I also worked with recording artist VINCINT and a few custom looks for him as well that was such a fun experience. I was asked to do a collaboration with the Lady Gaga Born This Way Foundation where I worked hand and hand with YouTube star Kian Lawley on a custom look that represented who he was. The runway show was incredible, and Kian and I still remain good friends as well. I worked as a lead Menswear stylist at The RealReal West Hollywood, ca. for a little while, about 8 months, while doing freelance as well. Around 2019 I started to want to venture out, so far to Italy to kind of see a new chapter in my life evolve. It was my dream to live in Italy since I was about maybe 10 years old. The life there always interested me, and I was so curious to get out there. I mean it’s the fashion capital of the world hello!! So, I traveled to Milan Italy, and other places 3 times that year, solo trip each time. and I fell in love. Once the pandemic struck in 2020, I had a decision to make. Either fight to stay and continue freelance in LA where I’ve lived for about 8 years at the time or accept that I had ZERO ties in LA and take the risk to Milan… I took the risk, and I couldn’t be more happy or proud of myself. I had been wanting to study my master’s abroad, and when I got accepted to Istituto Marangoni Milano for my master’s in menswear design, I was so filled with joy and excitement. I was finally moving to Italy! I had made it to my 10-year goal that I always told myself it will happen. Not to say I wouldn’t be anywhere tho without my family. I come from a huge immigrant Lebanese family, and we are very very close. So, you can imagine when I told them I’m moving out of the country how they felt with their opinions. but they are my biggest support system. My dad, god bless him, I put him through hell and back with everything “I just have to have it! I swear trust me this is gonna be it!” Without my dad’s support, I don’t know where I would be. I am so lucky to have a dad that may not understand my lifestyle or industry but still chooses to support me simply because I’m his son and he believes in my dream. Also, my mother, always fighting for me in my corner, and my biggest cheerleader ever! My mom has given me so much in life, I’m thankful to be able to call her mom. My siblings as well, oldest brother Jamal always encouraging me to push for more, and my sister Evonna who will help me with any situation I feel stuck in. Plus alllllll my cousins who support me so much as well. Putting the word out on social media, or flying in 20 people for a fashion show, or even helping me network to get to the top. My family is my rock, and I couldn’t imagine life without all these people. 

Now I currently live in Milan Italy and have been here for 2 years now. I can’t believe where the time goes! Studying my master’s program in a foreign country, not knowing a single person or the language, or anything about my surroundings… but I did it. I made it this far, and I didn’t come this far to only come this far. I graduated with honors and was chosen to give the speech on behalf of the entire master’s programs. After graduating I had a collaboration with Dolce and Gabbana which was over 3 months in designing a portfolio Capsul collection. They went ahead with a colleague of mine, and I continued to search and network for a job. It isn’t easy, but I always remind myself that the right moment will come as long as I stay focused, dedicated, and humbled by what opportunities I have. I have recently just worked Milan Fashion week SS23, for designer Andrea Damo as a styling assistant. And also, was given the opportunity to work with Random Production company. I collaborated and worked with brands like MSGM, GCDS, Etro, and others as well. Working Milan Fashion week was another great moment for me. It was hectic, 16-hour days every day for like 10 days, doing my best to understand Italian and speak as well (which I’m pretty good at now), and taking it all in each day felt very satisfying. I am excited to see what comes next for me, each day or week or month seems to be growing and changing. I plan to hopefully land a job with a design house here in Milan and continue to work for Random Productions CO. while I make my dream happen. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has been anything but a smooth road. Some of the biggest struggles I’d say would be trying to network with the right people and getting connected working for the job you want. It’s not easy to put yourself out there and connect or ask for the right contact to get what you want but also being in the right place as well. People have this perception if you meet the right people or do the right studies, you’ll be anywhere you want. that is not entirely true. Sure, you can be at the right place at the right time and that’s lucky. But other times even if you have all the best contacts in the world, it still depends on you to get the work or job that you want. most people will try to help but that only goes so far, they aren’t you, so they won’t want it as much for you as you do. You have to be persistent, annoying, constantly searching and asking questions, otherwise you’ll get left or forgotten. You really have to give yourself time. time to meet people, get your work going, and time to let things take off. If it happens overnight that’s incredible, but usually it doesn’t. give yourself time and patience and hell of a lot of work ethic. You are the only person that is in charge of you, so if you go day by day letting things slide away then that’s on you. or if you get up day by day and working towards whatever it is, even if that means taking the free job, or the less cool one you thought was gonna be, or waking up at 5 am to workout, go to work until 6 and then class until 10 pm and catch up on any assignments. That’s the life you need to prepare for. because even when you do make, because you will, the life gets even crazier. That’s why we all must go through these obstacles to better prepare us when we are a big-time someone. any obstacle, look at it as something to learn and take that forward with you! Trust me when I say I’ve made so many mistakes, and gotten in trouble, and others in trouble as well, almost costing some people jobs, but I learned from that and took that with me to know that won’t happen again. My biggest struggle tho is to always stay in it, no matter what. Sometimes as humans we naturally want to do what’s fun, or enjoying life, or whatever it might be, but those things only slow you down and take away your focus. If you truly want your vision to come clear and true, then you can’t stray away at all. that will only make your yellow brick road longer and longer until you reach the Emerald City 🙂 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As I recently explained, I am a fashion designer! I specialize in Menswear design. My look or aesthetic would be Luxury Streetwear. Taking a mix of streetwear with T-shirts, or jeans or a sweater, and giving it a couture-like luxury twist. I really like zippers, rose gold, and embellishments to give the look an extra umpff. I am known for menswear handcrafting looks. Beadwork by hand or working with a print to create it my own way. I also worked and did women’s evening wear for some time. Designing dresses for friends or family, and a couple runway shows as well some of my work being featured. I designed a dress for a collaboration at FIDM with an interior design and textile design student and that dress was on display at the PDC design center in West Hollywood for some time. My menswear went online and sold out at Jawadoriginal.com and I am currently working on a new mini collection to hopefully launch soon by the end of this year. It’s going to be a fun new look on my luxury streetwear style with some combining fabrics, and details as well. what sets me apart I think is being Lebanese, American, and now living in Italy. The combination of the 3 cultures and being able to integrate that into my work and designs is something really unique and special that you really don’t hear about that often. I love my culture and where my family is from, and I always try and create something with my roots in mind. 

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Anyone that knows me would say I could not sit still growing up. I was sweet, and kind, and convinced you I was so innocent… but I was always running around, playing outside, swimming, drawing on anything, and always wanting to be out of the house. and if I was in the house, I was listening to music or watching some fashion show and playing with my mother’s or sisters’ clothes as if they were my own. Growing up in a big Lebanese family, I was always full of life and really paid attention to how others were treated for some reason. I really wanted people to be kind to one another, and kind of take away the norms of not being allowed to be part of a certain friend group, or popularity, or any of that. If I liked you, we were hanging out and if some friends didn’t like it, then too bad for them. I was very involved in competitive figure skating and synchronized skating as well. I skated from age 3- 15 and competed all across the country. I was part of the Dearborn Crystalletts and nation US skating team as well. It was my entire world, every day 5 am before school, after school practice 4-7 pm. dinner and homework, and repeat that every day, all year round. I rarely had time off, but if I did, I was with family vacationing in Florida or going on our annual ski trip every Christmas and New Year’s. I loved being active, so much I broke each arm 3 times… I just really couldn’t be stopped. My mother always told me “Chase after what you want in life, and don’t stop” so I guess I took that literal sometimes… I didn’t love being in school, but I loved being social. teachers would constantly move me around or send me to the principal’s office for my behavioral issues among peers, but the teacher would move me by them so I would work better, and then the teacher and myself would spark up a conversation and forget the days’ lesson. oh, the fun I had! and still continue of my life today. My family would always tell me “Ali you have something about you that when you walk in a room, people are immediately drawn to you. you light it up with your instant charm” and that has always been something I hold close to my heart. It’s a gift I suppose, and I am grateful to have that trait. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @alijawad
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ali.h.jawad
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ali_jawad26
• Other: www.alijawad.work