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Kadeem, born in Queens, knew he wanted to be a designer from the age of four. Growing up, he found inspiration in the “Sunday best” of churchgoers, capturing mental snapshots of outfits to later sketch from memory. As Kadeem continued sketching the dresses and clothing of the women he saw at church, his mom encouraged him to keep his drawings so he could one day ‘look back at them and see how much progress [he’d] made.'” His early fascination with identity through clothes, color, and silhouette set the foundation for what would become a lifelong passion for fashion and self-expression. Today, Kadeem blends art, politics, and culture into each of his designs, using the runway as a platform for social commentary—or any message he chooses to convey.
Kadeem’s path to fashion design was intentional and ambitious. Between middle school and high school, he set his sights on attending a fashion school, eventually earning his degree from Parsons School of Design after completing a BA in Studio Art at the University of Richmond. “I think of myself as an artist first, designer second,” he says, attributing his grounding in art as crucial to his creative identity. “My art training set the foundation for my career as a fashion designer.” In his role as a designer, Kadeem seeks to synthesize what is happening in the political climate, in street fashion, and in social media, and create pieces that reflect the world back to itself in a tangible way. “I think the role of the artist is to reflect society back to itself.”
For Kadeem, fashion serves two functions: a historical record and a medium for self-expression. “Fashion shows the world who you are and what you stand for,” he explains, adding that his designs are more than just clothing. “I want people who wear my clothing to feel empowered.” For women, Kadeem hopes to inspire feelings of being ‘timeless, classic, unique, empowered, and sexy.” Kadeem embraces the intersection of art and fashion to challenge societal norms and provoke thought. This approach was on full display during his recent New York Fashion Week show, where he used the symbolism of a wedding gown and a cathedral setting to explore themes of race, marriage, and religion.
“The bride, a dark-skinned woman with an afro, wears a wedding dress that plays with structure, movement, and contrast. Kadeem notes the choices he made—the high contrast between the model and the white fabric, the symbolism of the wedding gown, and the interplay of movement and restriction—asking ‘What does it mean for a Black woman to get married versus, say, a white woman?’ The placement of the fabric and the cathedral setting are intentional. “I always try to make sure that my shows have some element of commentary.”
Kadeem navigates balancing fashion as both a business and a vehicle for political expression. Fashion is a business, and while Kadeem understands the appeal of treating it as apolitical to avoid alienating customers, he also sees the complexities and other side of this discourse. While he prefers to keep his politics private, he acknowledges that his identity as a Black queer designer inherently politicizes his work. “My art is always going to be political because of who I am and because I like to put Black narrative at the center of my work.”
In bridging the gap between white, mainstream fashion and Black and/or queer designers, Kadeem notes the importance and power in “showing up.” “One of the things I always say is, if they’re not going to give you a seat at the table, then show up with a red folding chair.” He also reflects on striking a balance between personal responsibility, self-care and striving to be the best version of yourself. In the end, it’s about trying to move the needle, he said.
Kadeem’s career shows no signs of slowing down. In 2023, he released his book Threading the Needle: A Fashion Designer’s Guide to Successfully Launching Your First Collection. One of his upcoming projects is a collaboration with the titled “Back in Black: A Tribute to the Sartorial History of Black Women at the Kennedy Center Honors” debuting this November. This event “will feature a three-piece haute couture collection inspired by memorable looks, reimagined to capture their historical and artistic significance.” Kadeem is also looking forward to expanding his team and creating more collections.
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