Meet Desiree Faith Ché | Fashion Designer, Illustrator, & Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Desiree Faith Ché and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi DeSiree Faith, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve always had an interest in fashion and jewelry, ever since I was a child. I was an artsy child, I loved colors, sketching, and art, all sorts of pretty, unique things. I was always getting in trouble in school because instead of paying attention to the lecture I would be sketching or coloring.
But my main issue growing up was me being a little person, I never made it past the height of four foot six because I have a rare growth disorder called Russell Silver Syndrome, so you can imagine being a teenager and adult and struggling to find clothes that fit me, my curves, and my personality. Being as small as I was-as I am now, I struggled seeing my beauty well into my late teens, until I started being a little more creative with my style. After high school and getting my Associates Degree I realized that I wanted to go to university for fashion design and marketing. I knew that I wanted to create a brand for not only the average woman but for women like me and women who are on the opposite spectrum. I come from a family of women of all shapes, heights, and sizes, I just happened to be the smallest.
I want women to feel beautiful in my brand. Despite whatever stage of life they are in, despite whatever body or height they were blessed with. I want that woman to know that the world was incomplete without her.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets my designs apart from others is that, I want to design for all sizes, including little people. I want to one day go from not only custom design to having a brand where most people can shop online or in stores and find clothes for smaller statures, without having to buy it and take it to be altered. I want it to be easy for my clients, or at least, easier.
The most exciting part about designing for a client, for me, is seeing it come to life. Once the creation is in the final stages of being finished and you can see that the client can also see the vision come to life. It’s like a light comes on and they’re so excited and happy, and checking themselves out in the mirror. I love it. And once it’s finished and they’re just ecstatic about the garment they trusted me with. It makes my world.
It was definitely not easy to get to where I am. But it was all worth it. The hardest part was finishing university, that last year, covid-19 hit and it delayed my internship for 2 years. And by the time I had my internship, I was a little rusty and my confidence in designing wasn’t great. But because my mentor, Dallas Designer Lyza Faye, she encouraged me and helped improve where I lacked, and get better where I was good. Once my mentorship was done and I had my degrees, I was happy and felt more encouraged to keep going, I was back to sewing more, practicing more, and my sister finally told me one day, “Go ahead and open a booking website, take on a few clients.”
And the rest was history.
I think the main lesson I’ve learned along the way is that I am my biggest critic. It all starts and ends with me, when I have the mindset that it’ll get done, no matter what, who, when, where; I can do it. I can and will get it done,

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The funny thing is, my best friend flew in earlier this year from Florida for our birthdays, because we were born only a couple days apart. I wish we had more time, because Texas is huge and I wanted to show her more! I took her to Grapevine, we both are wine lovers and history nerds, so we walked the historic district of Grapevine, we visited a crystal shop called Brigay’s, and we went to a wine fusion restaurant and bar, after we tested wines at a different winery. We went to tea shops, candy stores, a gallery. It was a great time! Next time she’s in town I plan to take her to Dallas and Waco.

I had another bestie who flew in to Texas a couple years ago who is also best friends with my sister, we took her brunch in Dallas, called Halcyon, and we visited with family. The next day we took her to Coco Andre Chocolatier in Dallas, we bought so much chocolate and lattes, before we walked the Bishop Arts District. There’s so many shops we visited! For lunch we went to BBBop Seoul Kitchen where we enjoyed glass noddles, and veggie pot stickers.
I’m a foodie and a shopper, and so are my friends, I want to take them to restaurants they haven’t been to before and places they don’t have back home. As well I love to show them the cute towns such as Waco and Cedar Hill where they can shop and enjoy the weather (when it isn’t scorching hot outside haha). I’d probably take them to see a live concert or orchestra too, because those are always fun to go to.
Next time they visit I want to plan it around the Houston Rodeo, because a rodeo is always a good time.
All in all the first few days of the trip would be Brunch in Waco, Bishop Arts District and chocolate in Dallas, Wineries in Grapevine, and then the last couple days we’d turn up with a Rodeo or Music Festival.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have a village. My family has been a tremendous support system in keeping me going. All the women in my family, but mostly my mother, and older sister are constantly reminding me that I can do it. Reminding me that I worked hard for where I am and in a short amount of time at that. When my imposter syndrome tries to creep in my sister is quick to tell me to “cut it out and stand up,” giving me the push I need to get out of my own head.
My husband is always pushing me forward, telling me I can do it and always willing to give me an honest opinion on my creations (as best as he can anyway, haha).
My friends are always there when I need them. Sharing ideas and giving constructive criticism. Also my community of colleagues and even my previous classmates I went to school with in high school. They reach out asking for fashion advise, or how to sew this, or giving me ideas and encouragement. Sharing my brand with the people in their communities, and hiring my services.
I’ve been blessed with such kind, honest, and beautiful souls in my circle.

Website: https://www.reyimani.com

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Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rey_imaniofficial

Image Credits
All photos are mine, DeSiree Faith Ché