Cary Heard

Newly graduated Cary Heard was not going to wait to finish school before he began working in the field that is his chosen career path.  While still a student in the District, he had already lined up clients, produced clothing designs, and participated in shows as he works to become a successful fashion designer.

"Fashion has always been an interest of mine, since birth, really," Cary explained, when asked how he got into this line of work.  In the very early years, he said he took a keen interest in art and always excelled in that category.   His artwork was always on topic with whatever the students were required to create, he explained, "but in a way rebellious and trendsetting like that of a fashion designer."  He went to say that, while most mothers select their children's attire for school each day up until maturity, usually ages 13-14, his mom was forced to stop at age 9.  He said he developed style early and dressed himself from then on, always looking presentable when he was actually "trying."  Like everyone else, he said he has those "bum" days when all he wants to wear is sweat pants and a tee to feel comfortable.  However, "winning Male Senior Best Dressed of 2011 shows that I didn't have too many 'bum' days during the school year," he added.  In fact, during his junior year, he said he never wore the same outfit combination the entire year, keeping a detailed fashion journal of what he wore to accomplish the task he set before himself. 

Cary began designing at the age of 11 and sewing at the age of 13.  His very first client was a friend of his dad, who was a member of a local African drumming band. His band needed new uniforms which Cary created and designed.  From that point, he got involved in many at-home projects like tailoring family members' clothing, hemming pants, patching holes, and also creating various custom-made items on a beginner's level.  This led to formal wear.  At any formal event held by the school, he said he designed and made both his and his date's attire for the event.  He admits that, the first time he had planned on doing this, many discouraged it, fearing that they (he and his date) would look terrible.  "I proved everyone wrong," he said, "and my skills and sewing techniques built and built as I learned more tricks to get me at the level that I am today and where I am headed in the future."

Modeling one of Cary's creations

This future includes having had his designs showcased in a major fashion show held in Pittsburgh in May.  Willie Gee's Fashion Beyond the Stars at the Omni William Penn showcased 30 of his designs.  CEO and producer of the show Malcolm A. Williams held the first casting for the show in February.  Cary had brought his portfolio to the casting call and was immediately signed on as a designer for the show.  "I was very excited," he stated simply.  Participating in the show gained him a great deal.  "This experience confirmed that I was going to be a fashion designer over any career," he stated.  From judging the model castings to being assigned a board position in the show to taking part in countless practices, fittings, etc., "all spectrums of emotions (from crying to laughing to praying and even loving) happened to me throughout the whole production," he explained.

As a fashion designer, Cary's work includes everything from doing fashion sketches, sewing, attending fashion shows and volunteering in them, and also supporting his friends if they're in a fashion show.  He says that there a few designers he looks up to.  Diddy's success in Sean John is a great example of how he wants to be, he explained, adding that he will also have designs on the higher end like Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, and Alexander McQueen included in his collections, along with the urban hip hop feel.  Ultimately, his favorite designer is Giorgio Armani.

Cary's favorite part of this work is the "fame" part of it, such as being recognized for his work, the parties, and being on stage promoting his designs.  What he likes least is the fact that it is hard work behind the scenes.  "Many believe it to be easy," he said, "but you really have to have a passion for this or you just won't make it."

More from the Willie Gee show

Cary will be attending Kent State University this fall for fashion design.  He said this school was suggested to him by Teacher Kim Shook, "and I owe that all to her!"  He explained that Kent State proudly holds 3rd place in the United States for its fashion design program and 13th in the world.  He also said his major influences would have to be inspiring family members who encouraged him to sew and go for any dream that he has.  His advice for any other aspiring designers is that "guys can design clothes, too."  He encourages his fellow teens to "follow your dreams because the ones that try to stop you are just haters."  Just be you and do your best, he went on to say.

But, he warned, for anyone interested in the field, "Make sure it's a passion for you and not a hobby. You will simply drown out here if you want to pursue fashion 'just because.'"

Asked where he expects to be 10 years from now, Cary responded, "I will have a well-established clothing line ranging in menswear, women's clothing, and of course plus size."  He explained that the majority of designers leave out plus-size designs, "but I won't forget our full figures."  He said he wants to have an impact on many communities, for example, providing and funding shows for teen designers like him and introducing confidence in teens with low self-esteem by providing make-over shows, just to name a few things.  "One thing I plan to change about the New York runway is to include more plus-size and professional African Americans," he stated confidently, adding, "I want to build an empire like Calvin Klein or Coco Chanel that will be greater than me and live beyond me!"