Designer - Romero Bryan

Romero Bryan, designer "Boy Wonder", took a few minutes to type out the answers to my questions via email from London, England. Romero began designing at the tender age of 11 when he asked a local tailor to make him a shirt for his final primary school dance, unable to afford the tailor's asking price the youngster began doing odd jobs around the shop in exchange for lessons in pattern making and eventually the shirt was done. The rest as they say was history, while most kids his age were begging their parents for a weekly allowance 12 yr old Romero was making shirts to order. Now his he can count Beyonce, Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss, and Kelly Rowland as admirers of his designs. He hopes one day to add singers Estelle and Amy Winehouse, as well as media mogul Oprah Winfrey to his list saying, "I love women who are powerful and make moves in society/world. She has always been an inspiration for me and someday I know I will have the opportunity to specially design an outfit/gown for her." He counts his determination, drive and knowledge as keys to his hard earned success; although in his humility he doesn't count himself amongst the successful set at this point in his career. With respect to his upcoming Spring/Summer 09 line Romero has pulled inspiration form the ever increasing demand for pieces that are both fashionable and affordable, giving birth to his Rome by Romero Bryan line. The line is "…a diffusion of my exclusive line, Romero Bryan, but of affordable glamour using similar design ideas and more cost effective fabrics. Rome is for the confident working/partying woman that loves shopping at high 'haute street level'." This new more affordable line will surely draw more media attention to the young designer, not that he's in short supply of it these days. After being listed on the Royal Bank of Scotland's 2020 Rich List back in September 2003 at the age of 19, Romero has been in major publications including The Daily Telegraph and The Guardian, and has made several television appearances and even getting advice from fashion stylist and fashion editor at Dazed, Cynthia Lawrence John. The press and publicity hasn't disrupted his life however, aside from bringing his career to the next level and freebies Romero says "I'm a fashion designer not a brain surgeon. I'm not into all that fake fashion lifestyle; I'm more about meeting the demand of what I feel females want/need." Level headed, humble and a great designer, not bad for a guy who would probably have been a brain surgeon had he not found his calling in fashion. Since signing with Willbaforce Management, Romero's future is so bright he may need to start designing shades. He aims to become a leader in the "Haute Street" market by further developing his Rome by Romero Bryan brand and by doing the same thing with his high end line Romero Bryan. His most important future goal however is "…to encourage others from my background that any dream worth dreaming about, is worth the hard work, and therefore is achievable." I couldn't have thought of better parting words myself. by Anastassia Simon