When fashion meets social work to make dreams come true.
ABOUT ANDRE: Longtime Mt Airy rapper and poet, and with Spolight Sessions I’m just talking up people I know who deserve some recognition. I just released my third album, Better Late Than Never. And we had Mya film a video for the listening party – I met her at Kenyatta Johnson’s Community Appreciation day, a big festival this summer. We both performed, along with the group Silk and other great entertainers. It was a fantastic time in South Philly.
Now with the new school year, I’m diving back into Writers Matter, where I help kids see the power of their own words. Learn more at writersmatter.org, and please reach out to me via social media @AndreS_1220 or aandres1220@gmail.com.
As a poet, words mean a lot to me. I remember an early experience where a reporter covered me for a story, I did my best to express myself thoughtfully and then I was let down when I read how it came out. Their messaging did not translate the vision I was trying to portray.
From then on, I made it a priority for that to not happen again. I want anything published about me to properly represent me and my thoughts. Ideally, I write my own stuff. With that in mind, I’m sharing a special influence in my life that I think could be a real source of inspiration for anyone trying to live their dream. These are her words, in my framework. Together, we shaped this story so she can speak directly and authentically about herself and all of the things she has going on.
Diyah is a Philly fashion designer who lives to serve local communities – through her day job in social services and her own efforts for Black male youth in the city. I’ve gotten to work with her up close as a model for her clothing line, House of Diyah.
I’m a fan of Diyah’s talent as well as her drive to succeed. She doesn’t wait for doors to open or for anyone to come and help her. She goes out and creates her own opportunities. She never lets a “no” stop her.
What I really appreciate, though, is how supportive she is of everyone around her. Always sharing what she knows, always lifting up neighbors and other designers. She gave me my first modeling job, as well as helped give me confidence to grow more in the modeling industry.
As you’ll see, she’s an open book with a strong, inspiring voice. I’m proud to share our conversation here. (text has been edited for length/clarity)
ANDRE Let’s start with House of Diyah.
DIYAH We launched in May 2017, the brand embodies what I love most: helping people achieve their best. We promote elevation, motivation, and inspiration – those three words are in our logo, which is a circle. That’s a nod to my all-time favorite brand, Converse (whose famous logo is also a circular). My first collection was t-shirts, a body-con dress, and a swimsuit. Today I’ve got track suits, hoodies, jackets, blazers, leggings, and all kinds of dresses and swimwear you can purchase from my website. I’ve loved fashion since I was a kid, and House of Diyah is my baby.
A: All this while you got a degree, and a full-time job. You’re one of the most ambitious people I know, where does that motivation come from?
D: I grew up watching my grandma, who raised me. I’m a grandma’s kid. I grew up watching her work hard her entire life, and nothing ever held her back. If one way wasn’t working, she’d find another way. She showed me how there were often creative solutions if you used your imagination. So for me, I can see my dreams and picture in my mind where I want to go.
I think as people get older, sometimes they tend to lose that ability to dream for themselves. We get so caught up in the Nine to Five, and then when you have kids it’s easy live through them. But I just feel like you should never stop setting new goals for yourself. It’s a big world with room for your voice and vision!
A: Fashion is a competitive business – like music is, too. So I really appreciate how special it is to when an artist like you is so supportive of other brands. For me, I feel like I really don’t care who gets the credit, as long as we’re winning. Is this how you feel too?
D: I just really believe in collaboration over competition. It doesn’t take anything away from me to help raise up another designer – in fact, we all win when we work together to achieve our best. We’re all unique, there’s room for everybody. When I started out, I ran into a lot of roadblocks and difficulties that I had to figure out on my own. I can’t imagine watching someone else go through that, without helping them out. It’s the right thing to do.
A: Of all your jobs, in all the different roles you have in fashion, business, and social work, what are your three favorite things to do?
D: I love doing fashion shows! I get to display my pieces and my creativity, along with other fashion designers and models. The energy is just amazing.
I also love speaking engagements, especially as part of women empowerment events. It’s always so exciting to give back in this way, to share what I know and instill hope and passion in the next generation. And finally I’m all about giving back. Like the Stop the Violence Festival last August. We gave away book bags, notebooks, school supplies. They cleaned me out! I was so happy.
A: That reminds me – you were one of our most memorable speakers at the Self-Reflection and Empowerment day with Historic Germantown. You need to do more of that.
D: I absolutely loved the experience! Once I stopped overthinking it, and just shared from my heart. I felt like the audience really heard me, which was so amazing to feel so understood, that my personal journey was something others could relate to. When you shared all those wonderful comments from people who felt inspired by my story, it made me so happy.
And now I have a question for you, Andre, about the community service drive that we both share. I get mine from my grandma. Where is yours coming from?
A: I feel like when God blesses you, that’s your responsibility to pass that along. I know what it’s like to not have a lot, and also I know what it’s like to be fortunate. I never want to take anything for granted. We don’t have to be stuck in the environment that we were raised in – or the mindset. Money and fame will limit you if that’s all you care about. Instead success is about, How can I be a better person?
D: And I think that’s why my biggest thrill, professionally, is when I see my designs on someone at a supermarket or just walking down the street. I mean, I love that I could do wardrobe styling for PNB Rock, and it’s cool when rappers like Reco Havoc and Bumblebee post my stuff. But honestly, just seeing regular people looking good and feeling good in my clothing, that’s the best feeling.
One time a lady walked up to me at the grocery story, she recognized my brand and said “My daughter absolutely loves you.” We took a picture together, and that just warmed my heart right up. When someone genuinely loves my designs, whoever they are, that’s the dream come true for me. That’s why I give back, out of gratitude.
Also, my clothes fill a need that I think everybody can appreciate. Inclusive fashion is challenging, I know how hard it can be when you love a trendy look but it feels structured wrong on your body. My designs give in all the right places, for comfort and also sizing is easier. Once you try a piece on, you’ll see what I mean.
Right now, House of Diyah is an online shop; shipping/exchanges are easy, and we can do drop offs and I’m literally just an email, phone call, or DM away. infohouseofdiyah@gmail.com | 267-290-7048 | @houseofdiyah_
⭐ STYLE STANDOUTS ⭐
Diyah walks us though some of her favorite designs, available at houseofdiyah.com/shop.
SIGNATURE HOODIE ($50)
I absolutely love that circle. I love Converse sneakers, and so my signature graphic is a riff on their classic All Stars logo. My circle features the words “Motivate, Elevate, Inspire” which ties to my social work background, and my goal to always help people to be their best.
LILLY FEATHER TOP ($70)
I love dramatics. I love colors. I will be adding more colors for the Hustler Collection. I love big and bold, and feathers are so sexy and fun to wear. This top is a staple piece in every fashion show I do, everyone loves it, and there are a million ways to style it.
AMARI SNAKE SKIN HIGH WAISTED PANTS ($45)
Snake skin prints were everywhere at the last NYC Fashion Week – 2025 will be the Year of the Snake — so here’s a great piece to get in on the trend. These are so stretchy and comfortable! They come up high to cinch in your waist and accentuate your curves. I love them with dramatic tops and jewelry but they work great with an oversized sweatshirt, too.
SAMMIE LUXE 2.0 JUMPSUIT ($85)
The first time I did this piece, the sleeves were longer and it was just proportioned differently. People loved it but for me, personally, I wanted more of a utility fit. Instead of my circle logo, I have my three words across the pocket like a ribbon rack on a military jacket. This style now is such a favorite, you can dress it up in heels or do a street vibe with sneakers or booties.
HARLOW TRACK SUIT ($90)
I think this looks great on both men and women, but the guys really love it. I used a high performance material, very lightweight and durable. Two pieces, jogger style legs. It’s a simple design but then that color really adds that pop.
TYSON SWEATSUIT ($95)
Fitted but slouchy, the stitched lettering was such a challenge but I really like the added texture and visual impact it gives. This sweatsuit was so popular with men and women, it’ll be in the Hustler Collection in navy.
GIA SET ($35)
Soft, stretchy, lightweight, breathable. Great for relaxing at home, but you’ll still feel pulled together. Really popular with women who are expecting, it’s oversized and very accommodating.
JULIANNA DRESS ($29)
The drama! This electric blue dress was actually just a sample piece that people loved so much I put it on the website. It’s so time-consuming to make, because of all the little strings. But that’s why it’s so special when you put it on, the dress drapes so beautifully, and it’s got great movement too. An ideal look for a tropical vacation, or a cruise.
MADISON MESH DRESS ($27.50)
This cover-up was part of our swim collection, but the fabric is so stretchy and versatile, it’s a great dress too. It can really go anywhere — you can even wear it as a top! The colors scream “Miami” to me, and the bold print works like camouflage so you don’t really see what’s going on under it, just the hourglass shape stands out. This is a magic, multi-functional garment!
HYDIA ONE PIECE SWIMSUIT ($50)
Hands down, my favorite swimsuit! I don’t like to show too much, and this one-piece covers a lot – but not too much. It’s really easy to wear, and also I designed it to have a lot of support, which is also important to me.
TED SHORTS ($25)
OK here I was just being a rebel, I guess. It’s a fun design, and the shorts are really comfy. (not shown)
SAVANNAH DENIM BOMBER JACKET ($130)
I made this for myself, I just wanted to play with the idea of a basic denim jacket. So it’s kind of a cross between a bomber and puffer jacket, using a combination of blue denims. I was just having fun but then everyone wanted one, so now it’s one of my classics. (not shown)
HOUSE OF DIYAH: THE HUSTLER COLLECTION
FALL/WINTER 2024 | houseofdiyah.com
Release date: November 29 (Black Friday)
I wore some pieces recently from that collection at New York City Fashion Week, at Prada’s Paradoxe Virtual Flower Fashion Lab. They did an immersive pop-up to celebrate their latest perfume launch, and I was invited along with a bunch of other designers and fashion innovators. It was great to be noticed, and all the feedback was really, really good. I’m so excited for this whole collection to drop.
This collection is called the Hustler Collection, based on the quote that “A hustler is someone who doesn’t rely, trust, or depend on one source of income.” So this resonates with me, because I run a business but I still have my nine to five in social work, and as long as I can remember I’ve always had multiple jobs. It’s a source of freedom – if one thing’s not working, I can switch gears and keep moving forward.
This Hustler Hoodie ($55) is hard to keep in stock. I’ll have a charcoal gray version in the new collection. Everyone comments on how plush it is. You will not believe 100% cotton can feel so soft on the skin.
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