Studio Stories : 002 / Ron Louis

words by Shahrnaz Javid | photos on film by Ron Louis

Design as a means of communication isn't a discovery. Hence, one's "design language" is usually one of the first things we notice when receiving work. But Ron Louis isn't claiming to be doing anything new; he's claiming his need for several creative outlets to make sense of what lay around him.

 The celebrated Chicago designer studied briefly at the International Academy of Design & Technology in Chicago, but his real education predated formal teachings; it's cliche, but Ron Louis is a self-taught man. He is self-driven, self-investigative, and a self-starter. All of which may allude to the same thing, but all of which are important because Louis's creativity directly translates the thoughts that occupy his mind. From Chicago's Southside, he doesn't transcend the typical mentality of Chicago natives because he shares a great love for his peers and is consistent in his outpour of support even when his dealings may be more silent. And if they are quiet, it's because he is busy taking on a new method to his "madness." In truth, a great deal of his inspiration has come from his immediate community. To pay it forward, he's incorporated Chicago into the forefront of the global community he's creating. 

Regarding the clothes he makes, it's not that they're genderless but that they are made for the like-minded, whoever and wherever they may be. Being a person who views everything with a curious and speculative eye, it's almost as if he has to create to understand it. With Louis, design or any creative pursuit is his mother tongue and vehicle towards connectivity.

 "Going to an international school with people from all over the world, they brought all these different ideas to design. It was really interesting and made me realize, 'wow, there are so many different people, but we're all similar.' It was that feeling of relation and thinking beyond Chicago. I thought to myself, 'let me reach people that understand organically where I'm coming from and my perspective.' It was [my designs] trying to reach people like me but beyond."

Day in the Life of Ron shot by Ron Louis

It's important to note that reaching beyond for Louis never meant leaving behind. Despite his need for more life, he's remained grounded and connected to his home, Chicago, even with his current opportunities and the ones to come.

 "I've always wanted to travel the world. That was something that I picked up from my mom. I saw her travel a lot, even when she wasn't supposed to. Just throw her responsibilities away to see the world. I always admired that because she would always come back with new information or stories of places she visited. I can see myself moving to other places to gain a new perspective for a few months, but Chicago is home. And I'm doing something here with Localethat I think will benefit future creatives. When it becomes bigger than you, it feels more solidified."

 Many times, thinking of one's location can stifle a person. Still, the beauty in Louis's self-awareness is the understanding that his pin on the map doesn't determine or limit his social cache. He's connected and forged bonds with people across the globe, off the strength of them embodying the energy of specific garments he's made.

 "When things come to taste, I love being around people or following people whose level is higher than mine. I think, 'this is insane. What's going on,' when I see what they share. I am a social networker. If we follow each other and I see you're doing something cool, I'm going to pay attention and reach out at the right time when I have something [for them]."

This is his approach to design. It always has different faces. He designs with a vision in mind to start conversations with others. This approach led him to build a foundation for his network by connecting with specific individuals in France, Japan, the UK, South Africa, Australia, Germany, Canada and more. However, it was never their location that drew him in. Their taste, knowledge, and way of living were what Louis connected to. Being from the generation tied to the advent of social media, he has a particular knack for sniffing out the platform's fraudulence. His ability to distinguish between users (being just that) and honest, interesting people have afforded him the necessary balance of living a fulfilled, creative life.

 He ran a music blog that connected him to many greats of Chicago's culture scene in his youth. As he got older, he shifted toward fashion design which opened celebrity styling opportunities. However, in knowing himself, Louis knew styling wasn't his actual love language, no matter who the celebrity was. Today he creates from a place of need, not to be confused with desperation. He's collaborated with community members, styled artists like Pusha T, worked with Nike and designed clothes and furniture. It's no telling what's next. He's not an unpredictable creative but an inspired one. We're discussing a man in his late twenties, full of life and possibility. Most importantly, we're talking about a man without ego but all the integrity in his work.

 "Without getting too philosophical, I try not to see myself [in my designs]. I try to see myself in other people as a reflection. When we have these conversations, the end goal is a relationship. How can we learn from each other, and how can I make my things become an educational experience. I'm also teaching myself simultaneously as it's coming out. Seeing it [the designs] exactly how it is in my mind, working through certain problems, and having the moments teach me who I am, what I think I am, and how others perceive me."

 While the world continues to spin, Ron Louis remains water. Allowing himself to flow in new and unchartered territory with the same calm and current has led him to his experiences. The key to longevity in his path is the continued investment in finding oneself, something he committed to long before putting needle to thread.

 "When you're making anything, understand the contradiction of humanity and understand that nothingness is also something positive. You have pain; you have the other side, the ugly side, but ugly things make beautiful things. If you're not crying or frustrated or stressed out, I would often question whether it's real or the beginning of something else."