The making of DAMARI: A Story of Style, Friendship, and Evolution
How Collaboration and Passion Built a Timeless Brand
Rock Avenue Bowties. That’s where it all started. In 2012, fresh into the NFL, I wasn’t just trying to make a name for myself on the field—I was learning the business of style. I started designing bowties, inspired by my own love for dressing with intention, and turned that passion into a small brand. I didn’t know much about the retail business back then, but I was learning—about fabrics, about craftsmanship, about how the right details can completely change how a man presents himself to the world.
Even back then, Eric White my long time friend, fraternity brother, and blooming celebrity stylist was involved. We were figuring it out together, navigating the world of fashion and retail from the ground up. That small bowtie brand wasn’t just a side project; it was my first real step into the world of design, the first time I realized that fashion could be more than just something I wore—it could be something I created.
Rock Avenue grew into something bigger. As my career evolved, so did my vision. I wanted to take everything I had learned—the attention to detail, the understanding of how clothing shapes identity—and build something more expansive. That’s when DAMARI was born.
A Brand Built on Friendship and Storytelling
From the beginning, DAMARI was never just a brand. It was a personal expression, a way to use design as storytelling. I built it with friends, people who understood the vision—Eric, Philadelphia designer Alyssa DiMarcantonio, and a small, dedicated team who saw clothing as more than just fabric but as a way to tell a story. The goal was always to create more than just custom suits; it was to create a way for people to step into their own presence.
I’ve had the privilege of clothing some of the most intentional dressers in DAMARI designs—Morris Chestnut, Jalen Hurts, and former teammate Rodney McLeod. I’ve created custom looks for my friends like Bozoma Saint John and Taylor Rooks, not just to make a statement but to reflect their unique energy and confidence. Dressing someone isn’t just about putting clothes on them; it’s about translating who they are into something visible, something they can wear with pride.
The Dandy Movement and the Art of Dressing with Purpose
This year’s Met Gala will highlight the theme of the modern dandy, a concept that has long resonated with me. The dandy is someone who understands the art of dressing—not just for aesthetics, but for self-definition. Black men, in particular, have long used style as a form of quiet resistance, a way to claim dignity and identity in spaces that often tried to deny them both.
DAMARI has always embraced that philosophy. There’s a certain love in getting dressed with intention, in understanding that what you wear is a form of storytelling. It’s why I’ve been drawn to dressing people who care about how they present themselves to the world. It’s not about chasing trends; it’s about wearing something that feels like an extension of who you are.
DAMARI: A Creative Evolution
As DAMARI moves forward, so does its purpose. What started as a retail clothing brand is now something much more expansive. DAMARI is expanding beyond a storefront—it’s my personal creative outlet, a space where I can continue to design, curate, and create.
My partners, Eric and Alyssa, have been instrumental in shaping the custom clothing side of the business, and now, they’re stepping into their own with Cadrae, a brand that will continue the made-to-measure tradition in the same location. They’ll carry forward the craftsmanship and attention to detail that we built DAMARI on, ensuring that custom tailoring remains strong.
As for me, DAMARI is evolving beyond clothing—it’s about designing experiences, curating spaces, and creating environments where people can connect. Whether it’s dressing my friends, designing a private event, or collaborating on something unexpected, DAMARI will continue to be a place where storytelling through design thrives.
This isn’t an ending—it’s a transition. DAMARI isn’t going anywhere; it’s just expanding. The love that built this brand remains the same. The friendships, the collaborations, the dedication to craft—they’re all still here. Because at the core of it all, this has never been just about clothes. It’s always been about love. Love for the details, love for the people I dress, and love for the stories that live in everything we wear.
From Rock Avenue to DAMARI, from bowties to a full creative house—the journey continues.
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Defined by Passion, Built with a Purpose, Exploring the Possibilities