P.S. Personal Style: Dave Dust (David Richardson) Creating Clients’ Passions

Dave Dust among his handpainted creations

This month in P.S. Personal Style, we have the honor of featuring the work of David Richardson, (also known as Dave Dust.) I must confess this article is a bit biased. The reason is that David Richardson is my cousin. I would not have shared that except for the fact that David shares a story which includes me, but one I had no knowledge of until this interview. David’s story made his work even more special in my eyes, our relationship more poignant and made me more eager to feature him and his work.

Here is our interview with David Richardson.

STM: David, tell me about the David Richardson story: the man and the company.

DR: I am a man who grew up biracial. My mother is black, and father was white. My mom would buy me coloring books and THE BIG BOX of Crayola Crayons, and I would color that whole book and pray she bought me another one. When I was about 5 or 6 we were at a family reunion in Atlantic City NJ. I was running around with a bunch of my cousins and my cousin Tommy asked me to come over to his table. He had a pencil and paper. He asked me who my favorite superhero was and just like any kid my age back then I said, "Superman and Batman" and this changed my life. He sat right there and drew both of my favorite superheroes. This was before the internet was a thing or even cellphones for that matter. Watching someone turn a blank piece of paper into something absolutely incredible sent me on a path that I'm still on today.

STM: Thank you Cuz! I didn’t know me drawing a picture really influenced you and meant that much to you. It’s so powerful for me to hear! Thank you!

DR: I have told that story for 30 years. You’re the reason I wanted to create something from nothing.

STM: Wow! I want to cry.

DR: Because of that moment, I always wanted to do what you did. I couldn't believe my eyes. I never saw anyone right in front of me draw my heroes. It was literally, life changing.

As a kid, I didn't know I was different until I got to school. I remember always feeling like I didn't belong, but I also felt like I didn't need to belong. Kind of like doing my own thing. Once I figured out that small part of me, I became (somewhat) popular. I always had a bunch of friends who I am still friends with today. Our neighborhood was mostly military families or ex-military families. The more my brother and I went outside, the more biracial kids we would meet. At that time if you were a mixed race family, they would station those military families around the Fort Dix military base. Growing up around so many different races of people allowed me to see different things, which turned into me wanting to try different things, such as music and art. For most of my childhood and into my 20s I wrote and preformed music. I've had a documentary done on me, which was amazing. At the time Ithought I was “big time.” Luckily, I had some really awesome people around me to keep me humble, and I'm extremely grateful for them.

STM: What is your philosophy: personal, business or otherwise?

DR: My philosophy is very simple. Be kind! It costs you nothing to be kind. God has a purpose for all of us and I believe mine is to help others find their smile. It sounds a little corny but thats just how I feel. Being able to create something badass and give that finished product to the customer and seeing them with the biggest smile is what makes me want to keep trying new things and getting better at what i do.

STM: How do you see your work as an extension of art and creativity in everyday life?

DR: A lot of my work is created by other people’s passions. Someone will contact me and give me details of something they love, whether it be a movie they grew up watching or a sports team they love. Hearing the stories of what made them feel great or an old memory that ties them to that thing, allows me to design something for them to hold on to forever. I always feel pressure to give them back something different and one of a kind.

STM: Can you explain how your design process reflects the philosophy of art as an expansive lifestyle, not just fashion?

DR: Creating something from a blank canvas is almost like therapy for me - even when I would begin to write a song. It sounds strange but its almost like the pen would take over and write the song itself. Same as when I'm painting on sneakers. I get lost in the artwork and I begin to create (hopefully something amazing.) Once I start a project it almost haunts my thoughts (in a good way) until I complete it. It is always on my mind! A lot of these projects take weeks or even months to finish. So, when I say it is constantly on my mind… Ha, yeah! And seeing that smile on their face when they see it for the first time is what makes me do this.

STM: In what ways do you believe your pieces inspire self-expression and individuality for your clients?

DR: Again, seeing that smile. It brings me joy knowing I helped make an idea come to life for them. Seeing a parent give my artwork to their child, and to watch the young kid go from surprise to joy, and sometimes even tears, is hard to put into words. Or a wife reaching out to me to make her husband a pair of Philadelphia Eagles sneakers, and surprise him right before the Super Bowl is incredible! GO BIRDS!

STM: How do your designs incorporate artistic elements that go beyond trends and enter the realm of timeless cultural engagement?

DR: Every time I start working on a sneaker the goal is to "always give them one more thing to look at". So, a lot of times I wind up doing way more work than I initially wanted to. People work hard for their money. So, when someone trusts me to take on that project, I want them to know it was money well spent. And hopefully they will always want me to work on their next idea.

STM: What role does beauty and craftsmanship play in how your garments influence the daily lives of those who wear them?

DR: Its funny, because a lot of times when people have me customize their sneakers, they have every intention of wearing them, but once I'm finished and they see them, they now don't want to wear them because they don't want to mess them up! I can't tell you how many times the shoes wind up in a plexiglass case in a man-cave somewhere - which is awesome, and I am honored that someone would want to put something I made in a case to protect them. Its humbling!

STM: How do you integrate personal and cultural narratives into the clothes you create?

DR: Honestly, in my line of work, integrating personal and cultural narratives is mostly for the customer to decide. That is where it becomes fun for me because I get to help them bring an idea in their head into real life and then they can see and touch what they were thinking. That is the joy of art..... creating an idea into something visual.

STM: Do you view your pieces as a way for clients to curate their own personal “gallery” of wearable art? How does this influence your creative choices?

DR: Hmmmm, thats a good question. Honestly, just thinking about my work in someone's gallery put the biggest smile on my face. I don't think I'm there just yet, but Wow...what an amazing thing to think about. I'd be honored to have my work in a gallery one day.

STM: In what ways do you think the art of dressing oneself affects personal identity and values?

DR: Being able to express yourself well should always be the goal. And art allows me to do that. Wearing clothes that I designed or sneakers I painted not only shows people what I can do, but a lot of times it’s a conversation starter. I'll be out at the grocery, or an event and people will ask me where I got the outfit I'm wearing, or the shoes. It feels great to say, "I designed this, or I painted these.” I would say, meeting new people that way is what affects me. It lets me know others like what I'm doing as well.

STM: How do you balance the artistic integrity of your designs with the commercial realities of fashion?

DR: Just being myself. I like being able to look at something knowing I can make it a little better. Trying to be like others would get me lost in the weeds. Just being myself and having fun with it is what drives me.

STM: Do you see fashion as a medium through which people can express their commitment to creativity in daily life?

DR: Absolutely! Being able to create is the fun part. That is the part that gets me excited; trying a new color scheme or bringing back an old cartoon character that most people forgot or don't know at all, or bringing back something from the 70s or 80s and putting it on a hoodie or t-shirt and then painting that same image on a pair of sneakers. Wearing your new creation out in public is definitely exciting for me. There is something about wearing something one of a kind that makes me want to get right back to work and do it again.

STM: How do you approach the fusion of aesthetics and functionality in your designs?

DR: Again, that goes back to the customer. Working together with them to create something they want is the challenging part and the fun part.

STM: Do you think fashion can be a form of cultural engagement akin to attending galleries or exhibitions? If so, how?

DR: Fashion is definitely a form of cultural engagement. It all goes back to my childhood, the more we are around different people the more we can understand them. Which means the more we get along the more peace we will have.

STM: How do you see your clothing influencing the way people perceive and navigate the world around them?

DR: Expression! What is cool about what I do is I get to help other people create an idea they have. Wearing a pair of shoes that I made with a loved one on them, or a college they graduated from etc. My dad used to say "look good, feel good" when I was a kid. And I held onto that! Helping others look good most definitely makes them feel good.

STM: What are the key artistic principles that guide your design aesthetic?

DR: This one is easy, always give them something badass to wear!

STM: How do you think your pieces contribute to an “artfully lived” lifestyle, beyond just providing physical clothing?

DR: It goes back to helping others feel good, and it is our job to make sure that person feels special – even if it is something small but may be huge to them. Make sure those people know how much you appreciate their trust in you.

STM: How do you think your brand can shape a lifestyle that prioritizes creativity, beauty, and individuality?

DR: I try to shape a lifestyle every time I come up with a new idea. Or even when a friend or family member shares an idea they may have. Coming up with something one of a kind holds a special place for me.

STM: In your view, how does the experience of wearing one of your pieces differ from simply putting on clothing? How does it elevate one’s connection to art and life?

DR: There is a different feel when wearing something that was created specifically for you as opposed to shopping online or at a department store. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, but wearing something specially made for you and you only, puts that little extra warmth in your soul! Corny, but true.