Take Rickey Z. Gipson II, an Inglewood native, got his first flair for fashion design by watching his mother sew his clothes and costumes as a child. She enrolled him in different art classes around Los Angeles, where he enhanced his artistic abilities, working with watercolors, pastels, and acrylic paint. Later, he auditioned at the Los Angeles County Highschool for the Arts (LACHSA) in 2004, in which he was only one of two Black students accepted into the Visual Arts program. There he learned more perspective on many art variations.

 

In 2013, he began a Fashion Design program at Los Angeles Trade Technical Community College. There, he realized the power he has in designing and visioned creating his own clothing line. “Don Rickardo,” an earthy, luxury streetwear line for young to middle-aged  higher class adults. After graduating from LA Trade Tech., Rickey Gipson II began interning for the black iconic designer Angela Dean. There he learned valuable skills, such as fabric sourcing, mood board organization, and pattern manipulations. At the same time of interning with Angela Dean, he worked for the famous 90’s cultural brand, Cross Colors, under TJ Walker’s guidance.

 

Don Rickardo, the designer, manifested in 2017 as he honed his designing craft. He wants his line and collections to be reflective of earthy, luxury streetwear because he is a natural, vintage fashion lover. He developed the love for that style after modeling vintage, modern looks for an established, online reseller, Cool Casual Studios LA, owned by Alden Jackson. He desires for people to be proud in who they are by being apart of the “Don Rickardo” lifestyle. People should feel comfortable, look presentable, and luxurious yet, still be able to switch it up if they prefer more of a street-style.