The Dusk to Dawn collection represents a lot more to me than simply new merchandise.
It is a culmination of years of ideation, self-doubt followed by reassurance, as well as countless hours between sunset and sunrise spent creating something that no one has ever seen before. For a while, this happened most often via paint. Acrylic paint to be specific, but sometimes I would stretch into new mediums for the sake of play. I did a lot of drawing for a phase; I was given markers as a gift by my mother for Christmas one year as well as loads of other art supplies. The drawing which acted as the crux of this collection came from those supplies. I would not be where I am today without her and my stepfather's immense support.
My best friend Joe has always been a staunch supporter of my work as well. I will never forget the moment when I came into our shared apartment, no doubt covered head to toe, socks to sweatpants in various colors and a collection of art materials. The work I had finished was a captured catharsis; a night's worth of memories, hopes, dreams, and symbols the likes of which would go on to define my philosophy for ages, and Joe seemed to understand it all in a single glance. Acting as my guide, he helped to usher me towards a world where my creations weren't only physical, but digital as well. He was the largest source of inspiration towards the creation of alecjohnson.art, even hosting the site on his own server during the early days. Within the last year, Joe donated a PC upgrade to my art studio and propelled my fashion and graphic design capabilities forward like never before. Dusk to Dawn would not exist without his assistance and I will forever be grateful for him as a friend.
My partner Kylee has been a consistent supporter and collaborator since the first days of my foray into fashion design. Since season zero, she has helped me to manage each collection, each rollout. She has been both my photographer and my model, as well as a lifelong muse. In working through the concept of the Dusk to Dawn collection, her insight and taste was a key factor in developing the aesthetic which exists throughout most of the collection today. Without her, AJ season two would look and feel very different, even my confidence in promoting and pursuing my fashion would be universally changed. I cannot express the whole of my gratitude simply with words.
And as for you, the reader, the audience- if it wasn't for you, I would have never arrived here in the first place. Thank you for your support, thank you for loving and accepting me. Thank you for being here and for being yourself and for letting me be myself as well. I am more grateful than I could ever communicate with paint or charcoal or a string of binary code. I will be forever thankful for you.
-AJ
