Meet Danielle Castillo | CEO & Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Danielle Castillo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Danielle, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?

I love this question. It is always interesting to hear about others’ habits, I feel that everyone can learn from one another.

There are a few habits of mine that have helped me for as long as I can remember. These habits have also helped shape the woman I am today.

Those habits are determination, honor, dedication, grit, and go-getting.

All five of these habits have gotten me to where I am today. These habits were both taught by others and self-taught.

I have my mom and my high school retired military drill instructor to thank for teaching me these traits I still use today.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I am the proud owner of a newly launched brand in the fashion industry. West Edge Apparel was launched on October 25th, 2021. My company is a new wholesale Western brand that is based out of Carrollton Tx.

My business was created and founded on my love for western, nostalgia, and my heritage. That is how I created “West Edge Apparel LLC”. My Brand and logo have a strong meaning to me. I wanted to incorporate my Native, Aztec Indian heritage and my love for the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s area.

I am the CEO and designer of West Edge Apparel. I design and create the garments that you see today. I also create my garment patterns, drapes, and sew everything myself.

-The High-Rise Flares

-The Racerback

-The Piped Halter

I’ am proud of how much I have accomplished in eight months.

A few things that are the hardness for me at this moment are doing everything myself and running my business out of my tiny one-bedroom apartment. It can be hard, overwhelming, and stressful at times. But what career isn’t ha-ha…… 

It’s a part of learning and growing I say. My goal in the next three years is to have a bigger place where I can set up shop.

What helps me is the support of my family and friends. But in the end, I am very humble about experiencing it all.

My love for art and fashion started in grade school, I have always loved to draw ever since I was two. I used to draw and come up with outfits of what I think my favorite childhood character from (Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century) would wear. Anyone my age ha-ha…. will know exactly what movie I am referring to. That’s when my love for fashion started.

Sewing runs in the family. My mom taught me how to sew when I was in Middle school. What I would do is cut up old jeans and make little bags and pillows all the time, and the rest is history.

My love for western wear started when I was little. My family and I use to go on trail rides every few months. I remember my mom putting me in straight-leg jeans that I hated, ha-ha…. and making me wear thermals. Back then thermals only came in Waffle Knit fabric and a few colors, Black, white, and cream. My first pair of boots were lace-up black ropers. Not cute or popular like they are today. It’s funny how trends make a comeback and things that are now fashionable were once uncool to wear. And I love it! 

I am excited to see what God has planned for my brand. My goals are to inspire young ladies like myself and be able to Donte money to as many organizations as possible.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

We would go to The Rustic in Dallas for some live music, food, and drinks.

Another must-do, The Fort Worth Stockyards. Especially when the streets are filled with vendors. It would be an all-day event. First, any early dinner, and drinks at Riscky’s Barbeque. Then, hit up all the shops and vendors. And who doesn’t love shopping?

Also, if you get thirsty from all that walking and all that shopping… just pop right on in one of those restaurants and get a nice cold beer to go.

The best thing I love about the Stockyards is that it is historical and family-friendly. When the sun goes down, the nightlife comes to life. To end the night, we will do a little two-stepping at Billy Bob’s Texas.

To end the weekend, I would take them to Lonestar Off-Road Park, for some mudding.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I would like to give shouts to a couple of people.

I want to think my family for supporting me in my choice to go to college for fashion design. And supporting me in following my dreams of coming a fashion designer.

My mom. Thank you for teaching me so much.

She taught me selflessness, courtesy, respect, how to be humble, and to always be grateful. How to stand up for myself, She showed me to never quit and to always push myself no matter how hard.

My older siblings, thank you for being my role models. They played such a huge part in why I wanted to grow up and be successful. They still are my role models today.

My high school NJROTC Instructor. Retired Marine (Master Sergeant Cavazos). He taught me so much! taught me to how to have courage, making me get out of my comfort zone. Taught to have self-discipline, mental strength, and much more. Thank you for never taking it easy on me!

All my college fashion design professors. They were hard on me, and I am truly thankful for them pushing me as hard as they did. Thank you!

And of course, all my friends.

Instagram: West Edge Apparel

Other: website is currently being created.

Image Credits
Destiny Fuentes Seth Martinez