"The Gallant Man"
We all know Mr.Sax for his creative genius when it comes to designing custom and beautiful hats for woman all over this country and abroad; but much to our surprise on the 15th of this month Mr.Sax presented his brand new men's collection titled "THE GALLANT MAN"! I knew I had to interview this 34 year old Newark,NJ designer who is also a Business Management major with a concentration in Retail Merchandising.
We started the interview with I believe the most important question; Who is the Gallant Man? Mr.Sax replied that the Gallant Man is one who is brave and bold in his style which comes from the characteristics he poses (assume a particular attitude or position) within. When I asked who or what inspired this new line of men's hats he stated "Myself". Mr.Sax wanted to design a line of men's hats that not only he could enjoy being that he always wears hats himself, but that other fashionable men would like as well. Mr.Sax says "honestly, it was harder for me to design this line than my women's collection". During our interview I asked Mr. Sax to take us through the process, from the idea to finished product of this line. Mr.Sax says that planning was the biggest part of this line; everyone sees and buys the hats but in order for his business to run properly he cannot just make anything and put it out there. He mentions marketing demographics and financial budgeting come into play when presenting a line. This is why Mr.Sax says he is big on education more so because if you're going to run a SUCCESSFUL business you need to educate yourself with the tools on how to do it. Mr.Sax says to complete a full collection from creating samples, photo shoots, graphic designing, and a layout it can take 3-4 months minimum. Usually we can see some of the best dressed woman in the country such as Lady Keri Crutchfield and Lady Lakesha Corbitt on his website as the faces of Mr.Sax Ultd. This time the two distinguished men behind the Gallant Man collection is none other than Philadelphian Sir Douglass Stowe-Repass (CEO of Elements of Distinction Enterprises) and New Jersey native Sir Oren R Smith! In the middle of our interview before getting to the Man behind Mr. Sax Ultd I asked; What does Gallant mean to you Mr.Sax? He responded with 5 words, BRAVE, UNAFRAID, FEARLESS, BOLD, ATTENTIVE, and CHIVALROUS.
I asked Mr.Sax, who inspired you? He mentioned to me that his parents, his Pastor (Supt Anthony W Gilyard) and divine connections. He also simply said "shoot, the wind could blow a certain way and I can feel something). Knowing Mr.Sax personally I'm sure there was a chuckle let out during that comment (LOL). When I asked this creative genius, would you consider yourself to be a Milliner or a Designer? He says a milliner is one who designs hats, he considers himself to be a designer because it allows him to go beyond the realm of hats. Hence the name of his brand Ultd (unlimited); Which takes us into what Mr.Sax has in store for us in the future. Mr.Sax will be celebrating 10 years of business in 2015 and he says "words cannot express how grateful I am that God has allowed me to reach this place". Mr.Sax says his customers and admirers can continue to expect designs of distinction and maybe more than just hats in the future. Being that Mr.Sax creations are pieces I have never seen anywhere else or duplicated to the perfection where as he does it, I asked him; What Milliners/Designers do you look up to and who inspired you to start designing? He says the legendary Jack McConnell, Her Grace Gabriel Bonheur Chanel (Coco Chanel), The Incomparable Shellie McDowell, The Whimsical Creations of Carlos Lewis (founder and designer of Carlos Of NY) and the protege of Jim and Jack McConnell none other than George Zamau'l. Mr.Sax says "although I have not met all of these designers, each one of them are unique in their aesthetic and to me their designs tell a story". When asked, what does style and fashion mean and how do they differ to you? Mr.Sax so eloquently said "style is a sense of being, one can have style and not be fashionable. Fashion pertains more to creating popular trends and (styles)". Getting to know the person behind Mr.Sax the brand I asked; What would people be surprised to know about you? He says that he enjoys helping others build their businesses (which I can attest too). He mentions this is something he also illustrates at his home church (Bethlehem Judah Christian Fellowship). Being that Mr.Sax is known all over the country and abroad for his creativity I wanted to know if he ever imagined all of his success. He simply said "if it's God's will then I am all for it as long as He is pleased". At the end of our interview I asked Mr.Sax; What advice do you have for an aspiring designer? He gave me three bullets, Love what you do, be a legitimate business, and TO THY OWN SELF BE TRUE.
Contact info for Mr. Sax Ultd
www.saxultd.com
Mr.Sax@SaxUltd.com
973-922-0606
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