The world of fashion has come a long way. And some brands are now more than just clothes—they carry a message, an ethos, a call to action. DETERMINED Streetwear is one such brand, led by Naomi Maria, seamlessly blending style with a powerful philosophy of resilience and perseverance. Launched on July 24th, 2023, DETERMINED Streetwear aims to inspire young people to face life's challenges head-on, with every piece of clothing serving as a reminder to keep pushing forward.
A graduate of Coventry University, it’s Naomi's personal mission to blend resilience and perseverance into every garment. “The word 'DETERMINED' itself stands for 'Determination Equals Trying Endlessly, Regardless (of) Mountains, Individuals & Nonsense Every Day,'” Naomi explains. “It’s a daily reminder that setbacks are just challenges to overcome.”
Naomi’s path to creating DETERMINED Streetwear has been marked by dedication and hard work. Reflecting on the journey, she shares, “There were times when it felt overwhelming, but I kept reminding myself of our mission.” Her goal is to create apparel that not only looks great but also motivates and inspires the wearer to stay determined, no matter the obstacles they face.
DETERMINED Streetwear is quickly gaining traction on social media, fostering a community of individuals who support and uplift each other. Naomi’s passion for her brand and its message is evident in every design. “Seeing people resonate with our message and wear our clothes with pride makes all the hard work worth it,” she says.
1. What are some of the unique design elements that set DETERMINED Streetwear apart from other brands?
DETERMINED Streetwear differs to other brands in that it incorporates a motivational word with fashion. It also has the first part of the brand name (DETERMINED) as an acronym. I have also added music as I have such a love for it!! I've created the instrumentals from scratch and added my own lyrics to make soundtracks for the brand, all based on the message of being determined.
2. How do you see the philosophy of DETERMINED evolving with your brand in the future?
The message of determination will always be in all of my designs, garments and accessories, whether that's the DETERMINED logo as a word or the lower case d with the capital D logo (dD)
My idea behind the dD is to illustrate the shortened version of DETERMINED, in that determined begins and ends with the letter D, so I wanted the logo to represent being determined from start to finish, be determined throughout whatever you do.
3. If you had a chance to change one thing in your industry, what would that be?
If I could change anything in fashion it would be to keep it simple. What I mean by that is you don't have to over complicate what you wear. You can have a simple outfit and still look great.
4. In the changing world of fashion, how do you ensure that your clothing remains relevant and appealing to your target audience?
Keeping the message of being determined the same. When buying brands people buy brands for different reasons, whether it's the designs, trends, colors or whatever their reason may be. For me with DETERMINED Streetwear, I want people to not only buy a brand but buy the message of being DETERMINED. That's why I made the brand slogan to be: If you're DETERMINED, this brand is for you.
5. What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to start their own fashion or lifestyle brand?
My advice would be to go for it, cos you'll never know unless you try. There may be times when you want to give up but don't! You never know, what you do could inspire someone else who also wants to pursue their goals. I couldn't have gotten this far without God, cos He gives me the strength to carry on.
6. Where do you see DETERMINED Streetwear in the future?
I see my brand to be an international brand one day. It's relatable to others in that everyone is determined in life for something.