Meet Anthony Hamdan Djendeli | Fashion Designer & Creative Director of DJENDELI

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anthony Hamdan Djendeli and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anthony, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I perceive risk as a seductive and empowering force, intricately woven into the tapestry of my life since adolescence. Without embracing risks, my current position in life would have been unattainable.

Moving from France to the U.S. was a huge risk. I was scared of what I might lose, starting over in a new place, getting used to a different culture, learning a new language, and adjusting to my job in a whole new way. But this move really helped me understand myself better and taught me a lot. When you take risks, you either win something or lose something. Luckily, most of my risks have made me happy, but I’ve also known the bad side of it—like feeling the sting of loss and the loneliness that comes with a risk gone wrong. Accepting both sides is key to moving forward.

Risk is like a push that gets me to try new things. It gives me the guts to share my ideas, challenge what others think, and sometimes even question the usual ways of doing things. It’s what keeps me moving and growing, personally and professionally. It’s something I need.

Starting my own collection was a big personal risk. It needed a lot of creativity, money, and a huge leap of faith. After that, I had to face a lot of realities—like money issues, career choices, managing my reputation, finding balance in life, and making the right decisions while staying true to myself.

I’ve had my share of wins and losses. But through it all, I’ve learned to appreciate both the highs of success and the lows of failure, learning something from every experience.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
With my brand, DJENDELI, I am dedicated to creating luxury women’s ready-to-wear, with a focus on commercial appeal. I enjoy designing fashion that people can wear in their daily lives. My aesthetic leans a bit more European than American, and I believe this distinction significantly influences how I approach my work. As a French native, what sets me apart here in the United States, particularly in Los Angeles, is the methodology I employ in constructing my collections.

I view myself as a craftsman and technician. Trained as a pattern maker, I am responsible for building all my volumes and silhouettes. I create patterns and craft initial prototypes for fittings. Every piece is an authentic creation; I never replicate vintage styles or borrow from other designers. Each garment is conceived from the initial idea to the final realization, starting with the exploration of volumes and the creation of a prototype for each item. My duality in both design and technique allows me to personally oversee the entire process of my business. As the son of immigrants from Lebanon and Tunisia, I merge my work with my roots, creating a unique blend of Middle Eastern, European, and American fashion.

In creating this year’s Adagio Collection, I sought to capture the essence of musical icons who have shaped our cultural landscape. Inspired by the unparalleled artistry of Madonna, Lauryn Hill, and Björk, among other female artists, each piece in this collection is an homage to their groundbreaking styles. Their boldness, individuality, and unique musical narratives are woven into the very fabric of the collection. I envisioned a line that not only resonates with their artistic spirit but also echoes the dramatic flair of New York’s Broadway and the timeless glamour of LA’s Old Hollywood. I used wig caps as my hair styling for this collection, to give the feeling of an artist walking on stage for a dress rehearsal, with perfect makeup and clothes, wig still hanging in the fitting room; or that moment in the fitting room when she is taking her last breaths before waking on stage to perform.

I am proud not only to have had the courage to pursue my dream of establishing my brand but also to have launched it amidst the chaos of the pandemic four years ago and to be thriving today. Supporting my local community of artisans in Los Angeles has been a foundational principle of my brand since the beginning. All my work is done locally; I do not outsource any of my production. I am proud to create intelligent fashion that respects the planet, minimizing waste.

I also take pride in creating fashion that conveys a positive message for women, reflecting a political and societal perspective. Not everything in fashion has to be a political statement, and some of my pieces can be about just the feeling of transformation and empowerment when you put on something that makes you feel invincible. But then some of my pieces and collections do address issues that women face in society, whether here in America or overseas.

I believe that being a visionary dreamer and displaying unwavering perseverance has brought me to my current position. Working diligently every day and cultivating positive professional relationships throughout my career have been key elements. Of course, the journey has been long, and not always easy. Running a business is a daily commitment that should never be taken for granted. With each challenge, I fight even harder and am not afraid to abandon one idea for another strategy in response to setbacks.

As the founder and Creative Director of DJENDELI, I’ve learned that you are the sole master of your decisions, and there is no one else to blame when you don’t achieve the desired result. Surround yourself with good advisors, but don’t pay attention to public opinion. Instead, be guided by what you believe is a good idea or a good collection at your core.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate a portion of my career to Martin Grant, an Australian designer residing in Paris. He was the first person to believe in me, taking risks to involve me extensively in his work. As I stepped into the world of Parisian fashion from my provincial hometown in Marseille.

Martin was the designer who illuminated the essence of the Parisian fashion scene to me. He not only unlocked my creativity and curiosity for fashion but also instilled in me a deep appreciation for garment construction. As a mentor, he urged me to pursue numerous qualifications to gain recognition and enhance my skills as both a designer and pattern maker.

Fortunately, having my first introduction into the fashion industry as part of a relatively small, yet still world-renowned operation, I had the opportunity to witness every facet of the business. There, I learned about creating a collection, sketching, and crafting a narrative, attending fittings, correcting patterns or drapes, casting models, and overseeing photoshoots or runways.

Learning my craft in such an environment allowed me to embrace daring experimentation within a short timeframe, swiftly gaining a deeper understanding of myself both professionally and artistically.
Subsequently, I enrolled in the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, a prestigious school for fashion in France, to obtain all my diplomas, which led to me working at some of the largest and most respected fashion houses in Paris. Martin gave me the push I needed to believe in myself, that I was capable of achieving that.

Website: https://djendeli.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djendeli.la/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ahd-la/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVut8l1S-ltWmUqQIP1uGaA