Today we’d like to introduce you to Ontavia Roulette.
Hi Ontavia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story starts in Cleveland. I’m thankful I grew up when, and where I did. It truly made me who I am today. I’m from a family of seamstresses. I told my grandmother at 5 I would be a great fashion designer one day. I believe a clear vision of the future I wanted for myself, my competitiveness, and my talents have always been the key to how I found myself in New York today. I’ve also had many great teachers that nurtured me intellectually and developed my creativity by allowing my imagination to remain wild. I was raised in a focused and disciplined environment, with A healthy amount of Freedom, but not too much. which fast-tracked my studies; while attending Cleveland School of the Arts, I was also studying at Cleveland Institute of Music (Private Conservatory) at the age of 16, Conducting Mass Choirs and Orchestra’s, and performing at Opera Houses by 18. I was groomed for greatness in the Classical Music field.
I always want to learn more and see more, I’m a sponge to art, history, fashion, film, and anything I can creatively consume, dissect, and reinterpret into another art form or expression. Which ultimately cut my institutionalized education short, I felt creatively starved and bored, and I responded in normal youthful reckless activities.
So, I began working and traveling the country to find myself, and a new inspiration outside of classical music.
In 2015 While living in California, I was at my kitchen table, a bowl turned over sparked the memory of my desire to design. I began sketching and creating right away and I never stopped. I built a photography studio in my garage and bought a camera from a friend. I finally remembered what I wanted to be.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has had many Different terrains, some years the road was filled with a few tiny pebbles here and there, and other times the road has been blocked by a river of lava. I’ve had mental, emotional, physical, and financial struggles while building this fashion house. In my day job, I was overworked, and in my night job I was unpaid and overworked as an aspiring artist, I was exhausted. Isolated. Full mad scientist mode.
By 2018 I had a mental breakdown.
So, when COVID hit, I could no longer live this unhealthy nonstop life, putting my friend, family, and mental & physical health on the back burner until I “make it” And I found myself back in Cleveland Ohio for the first time since 18, preparing for surgery, and resetting my life. In that year My parents helped bring me back to full health. And I ventured back out onto the world road to take another crack at becoming the best fashion designer in the world.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I launched my independent fashion house in the Summer of 2015. Independently debuted her first Collection “Nymph’s of the Forest” at New York Fashion Week & Launched the Roulette Fashion Scholarship Fund in September of 2017.
In 2018, I relocated to Baltimore Maryland and volunteered with the Emerging Art Advocates a political program that raises millions of dollars to help keep the art programs in public schools across the United States. Speaking at local colleges and universities about the importance of Art, Fashion, Design & Therapy. Providing countless Fashion Students with internships that include hands-on experience at New York Fashion Week.
In 2018 I Started a podcast called “Atelier 1121” (Currently in season 6), this podcast gives the artist the opportunity to speak freely, so to let out their questions, concerns, and frustrations about the state of the world, their art, and creative process. While also providing encouragement, advice, resources, and other art genres that assist the artist with reaching their higher self.
I have dressed Clients for Charity Events, Television, Editorial Shoots, Pageants, High Profile Weddings, and the Grammy Awards (twice).
I successfully presented my Second New York Fashion Week Runway Show in September 2019 “Before the Death of a Child’s imagination” & launched my fragrance “Moon Water” in November 2019.
In 2020 I launched my Line of products starting with “Hologram’“Lip-gloss which exudes futurism and duality,
On January 1st, 2021, I Presented the “Woman of my Dreams” Short Film featuring select garments from her 2022 New York Fashion Week Collection. I have recently relocated to New York City and presented my 2022 Collection on September 12, 2021, titled “Woman of My Dreams”,
Recently, I opened her Fashion & Costume Showroom in New York, Wrapped her first Costume Department project for the new Netflix Series “Partner Track”.
Currently, I’m working in Costume for New Series coming on, Netflix, Apple TV, & NBC; Creating my next New York Fashion Week Runway Show titled “Heavenly Host” (Show Date September 3, 2022)
I’m known for mostly my massive New York Fashion Week runway Shows, which I show independently. People have emotional experiences when they come to my shows. I talk about really deep topics, which are translated through the collection and runway show.
I’m most proud of the artist that I have been able to support on their journey. And the bonds that I’ve been about to have with the team/family that I’m building around me.
I believe what sets me apart from others is that I am me. My mission is to provide innovative people with a sense of belonging. My goal is to make people feel. “Feel” something within themselves, that they can take with them forever, and tell their children’s children about. I make people feel loved, welcomed, and seen. And that’s enough for me as an artist.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Even when you are in the thick of the forest and you see no way out, even in the darkness; keep walking. The light will eventually break through the branches.
Just don’t quit. Even when you don’t know how things are going to work out. Everything will fall into place. You have to have an unshakable belief in yourself for your dreams to come true.
Pricing:
- NYFW Runway Show tickets $60
- Nyfw Front Row $100
- NYFW Roulette Ticket $45
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ontaviaroulette.com/about
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ontaviaroulette?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/rouletteont?lang=en
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/user/OntaviaRoulette
- Other: https://www.ontaviaroulette.com/nyfw-early-tickets/ngwiuzxd6nkau2gq81sze16thm2eqb
