Today we’d like to introduce you to Javornie Brathwaite.
Hi Javornie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My voyage began here in Miami in 1992. I was born and raised in the County of Dade, Overtown to be exact. Overtown is a neighborhood notoriously known for being rough and dangerous, but something it’s less known for is instilling a drive and passion within some of its residents that want something greater for themselves. As the last born of four, I was instilled with that same drive and passion (a lot of that coming from my beautiful mother of course) to make it at whatever it was I wanted to do. My love for art began at a young age. Ever Since I learned how to walk, I knew how to draw, or at least that is how I like to tell it. I improved my abilities over the years without any formal training by drawing things I’ve seen or imagery from my imagination. Looking back at it, I was always trying to quench my thirst for creating.
Naturally, I didn’t think it was possible to make a viable career out of my artistic abilities, so after graduating High-school, I focused on trying to get a degree in something more practical. That led me to pursuing a degree in business at Miami Dade College, where I studied accounting and a slew of other things I had no real interest in for two years. Due to fear of spending the rest of my life pursuing a career in something I had no passion for, I decided to try and switch back into something centered around my love for art and creating. One of my biggest inspirations for switching what I envisioned myself doing was my older brother. My brother has a drive for helping others and uses his artistic abilities as a means of doing that as a designer. Looking at some of what he has accomplished sparked my interest in using art as a way to make a career. That’s when the light bulb in my head turned on and I decided to combine my artistic abilities with my love for sneakers (I’m a huge sneakerhead) and fashion to try and build a career for myself.
Soon after that I was on a flight to Eugene Oregon to study product design at the University of Oregon. The goal was to design sneakers for the titan of the sneaker industry, Nike. The experience was incredible but two years in I had another light bulb moment. I wanted to have all the creative freedom in the world without the limitations of a company telling me “No.” I moved back to Miami, where my journey originally began, This time with a new goal of becoming my own “Nike,” A titan within the fashion industry. I started out painting my own shoes and posting the work to social media to gain traction. Then I started doing pairs for family and friends, to now doing pairs for strangers around the world. I eventually had celebrities like Dwyane Wade, Rick Ross, and Lebron James liking and sharing my work to their social media. I even gained the opportunity to do some pieces for Chris Brown. The support has been incredible and humbling but I know I have a long way to go in accomplishing my titan goal. The good thing is I know it’s possible because, after all, I was born with that drive and passion as a kid from Overtown.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No journey worth embarking on is without challenges. Due to the sheer amount of competition in this industry, there is a fear of not knowing if what your doing is enough to separate yourself from the pack. Staying motivated beyond that fear is the challenge, which I struggled with a lot in the beginning. I was always confident in my abilities but I wasn’t confident in people supporting my vision. I learned that I have to stay true myself and my vision. If you stay true to yourself and your vision and keep putting out ideas and challenging yourself then everything will work itself out. Learning that if there isn’t room for me then ill create that room for myself.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a creator. I allow individuals to express themselves through creative clothing and footwear. Whether that be making their ideas into reality or turning my own ideas into reality for others to wear. No idea is off limits or too much for me to tackle. I’m a firm believer in the phrase “you look good you feel good” so that’s what I try to do. That extra confidence can carry a person a long way throughout their day. What separates myself from others is the quality and creativity of my work. I stay in my own lane and create stuff that I haven’t seen done before. I believe that art is the expression of ones soul, whether that art be painting, singing, dancing etc. Every time an artist creates something they are sharing a part of themselves with the world. I want to share as much of myself with the world until I can leave an impact that lives on for generations.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
If anyone wants to collaborate on something and get something done, all they have to do is contact me via my email. They can also reach out and follow me through my social media platforms to see what projects I have in the works or announcements I may have regarding work ill make available for purchase.
Contact Info:
- Email: jsbthecreator@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jsb_x_thecreator/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JSBxTHECREATOR/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jay_B92
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0WOaFWOrJSc18cYn5MgjTA
Image Credits
shotbyretro6
