I AM A MAN Fashion Illustration

The drawing came from me learning how to use my voice to inspire change.

Inspiration

The concept of these designs came earlier this year during all the protests seeking justice for Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. It was an unsettling time for many, but for myself, it was an emotional overload. An emotional over load, an informational overload and a physical overload. I took in entirely too much content and it left me feeling helpless and wanting to help, feeling like I should help, but not knowing how or what I could do about it.

Yes, I could’ve physically gone downtown and participated in the protests, but that just wasn’t my ministry. Too many people, to many uncertainties of how protestors could be treated and Corona was still in these streets.

I ended up taking a social media detox for a couple days to get my mind right. When I cam back, I came across an article sharing a variety of ways people can help support the cause based on their natural gifts and abilities. The obvious ones listed were the frontline responders and disruptors, who organize and gather resources and speak up and take action, even if it’s uncomfortable and risky. Again, that’s not my ministry. I commend all of them for it and appreciate it but that just ain’t me.

But I did resonate with the storyteller and artist rolls who pull together the experiences of others - both past and present - to shed light on what’s happening today and what’s possible for tomorrow. They use their voice to educate and inspire change. Now that, I could do. So I shared positive creative moments from other black creatives that lifted spirits and brought joy and then I created this I AM A MAN design concept and shared a few things here and there but didn’t get around to finishing it.

I AM A MAN took inspiration from a multitude of ideas.

At the root, the design concept from a civil rights protest sign, where in large black letters listed I AM A MAN. It’s a little crazy to think about because this person had to spell out what should have already been considered to be true and applied to his life and well being. That he is a man and should be treated as such, at the bare minimum.

Secondly, I was inspired by the newspaper clippings and articles that would share these stories, both past and present, that shared the stories. The Civil Rights era featured hundreds of newspaper entrees with disturbing photos from protests of people being beaten and brutalized at the hands of police. Little has changed in todays recording accept now we have video and can record it live. Anyways, the contrast of the black text and white paper inspired me. I created a patchwork of the articles that reminisce on how slaves would create quilts to track their story and their history but also to signify how these stories happen too often. How it’s really the same articles and same subjects, just different names.

The third layer of inspiration is the respectability factor. How in order to be accepted and to have your life justified, you have to look as if you’re not a “trouble maker.” You have to appear as if you’re an upholding citizen and present yourself in a manner that’s professional and well put together to not be perceived as a threat.

Unfortunately, the respectability factor isn’t shown well in this illustration and that’s because I edited the initial sketch I did for the man. The original shirt did have the two sides to it, but the right side (black) was longer and there was an uneven hem. While sketching it out, I felt it didn’t look “respectable” enough for this drawing of a black man - which is a shame that I’m over here policing myself and qualifying my own drawing.

The concept plays with mixing oversized casual wear and raw edges with more tailored characteristics like a tailored fit and pinstripe and plaid fabrics. It’s refining the street culture where you may think that it could be seen as respectable, but we all know that that isn’t the main issue, so there’s still a war aspect present. One that has to fight but also be protective of itself. That’s where the vests, strapping and cargo pocket details come in.

The fifth and final layer of this concept inspiration is the black woman. The black woman, who carries all the stories, all the pain and all the weight, who still gets up and shows up for the fight. She wears it with pride and with pain. She has a thick guard and has to protect herself but she is still very vulnerable to this world.

Fabric

Fabrication for this I Am a Man design concept is pretty straight forward. Nothing glitz or glam or too over the top. The key is for the message to come across loud and clear but to also have a degree of relatability. No matter what status you are in this society, you’re familiar with leather, canvas and a cotton jersey t-shirt.

Design

If I extended these designs out into a group, the design details would be the leading factors. From bold contrasting textual prints like the newspapers and picket signs, to subtle distressing, strapping and buckles, asymmetrical pocketing and trim details. It’s a mash up between professional daywear, meets 90’s hip hop culture and utilitarianism.

Final Look

I love how the illustration came out. Overall, I wish I hadn’t policed myself in the design of the mens shirt but I’ll live. I think the message of these designs are quite clear cut and very powerful.

Watch

Watch the video to see the sketch from start to finish.

As a creative, I love that I’m able to pull inspiration from anywhere and share a story. Whether it’s my story, another person’s story or an ancestors story. It allows me to express myself as a creative therapy while doing my part to spark change.