Industry News

Ra’mon Lawrence Allen Coleman

As a recent graduate of The School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s fashion design program, Ra’mon sees himself as a perpetual student – not because he finds himself unprepared or not ready to venture out to face the real world – merely, he believes that one never completely masters any endeavor. Without continually pursuing knowledge, seeking out new information and immersing oneself in new experiences, Ra’mon feels that a person becomes stagnant.

Heeding his own life philosophy, Ra’mon currently finds himself in a whirlwind of high-energy motion as an award winning student designer (recipient of the Richard Driehaus Award for Excellence) and AFIC scholarship winner. Having created three distinctive collections for three unique shows (Scotland Style, the Black Fashion Museum & his Senior Collection), Ra’mon has already demonstrated the ability to follow through with style inspiration while discovering new ways to treat material and combine color. And, as the recipient of the AFIC scholarship to attend the SAGA design center seminar, he is only the second Chicago design student to travel to Denmark for the opportunity to achieve new creativity in the world of fur design and craftsmanship. Thus, he looks forward to sharing his vision of American design and taking away the worldview of fashion as conceived by the other attendees. He believes that this seminar will be a life changing experience and that he will return a different person both culturally and artistically. He wishes to absorb it all like a sponge and bring back all the knowledge he can!

Ra’mon’s future plans skew in two decisive directions. He is currently waiting to hear if he’s been accepted to work in the Julliard Costume Department this fall in New York. He says that he’ll find great value in being able to soak-up and gain knowledge while working under someone’s watchful eye. The other future plan has Ra’mon on the entrepreneurial path. He would like to open an urban, ready-to-wear boutique in Chicago with fellow classmates, Chris Shields (male) and Young Kim (female). The store would carry their own label, CRY – derived from the trio’s first initials. Representing a multitude of experiences, CRY becomes appropriate for all occasions states Ra’mon noting that one would cry when happy or sad. He envisions the boutique as a source for unique styles for those interested in special order and exclusive one-of-a-kind items. Either career option directs him to a growth path allowing for a new range of experiences. With his drive and talent, Ra’mon will surely find the spotlight focused brightly on his creations as well as his vibrant personality.

Photo and article appeared in the Chicago Tribune’s Red Eye on Wednesday, April 23, 2003. Article written by Crystal Yednak. Photo by Katrina Wittkamp.

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