3 Questions & a Photoshoot with dylAn
dylAn
3 Questions & a Photoshoot
dylAn is a multitalented artist residing in Los Angeles, California.
Best known for his music and creative “STRIPED™” Attire clothing brand, dylAn is creating art in every avenue of his life.
Today we’re showcasing stills from a photoshoot dylAn and I crafted in Los Angeles & he’s answering 3 interview questions from my “Open Hearts, Adaptive Minds” series.
Question I
The world often teaches us to close our hearts, what’s a lesson you’ve learned in how to keep your heart open?
“I guess you just never know, right? I mean, there’s so much beauty in the unknown. I think going through life and having certain experiences where divine timing and alignment have entered my life at really interesting times because I have an open heart, has awoken me I’d say. I would like to think and believe that I’m a very open-minded person, and being that has allowed me to have some of the most unique experiences with really incredible people. It’s a balance though, you want to be able to achieve some sort of equilibrium, because not everyone deserves access to your heart.”
Question II
What’s something you do to help other people and the planet thrive?
“I’m really big on sustainability, and I believe in harvesting the earths energy; wind turbines, solar panels, hydro power etc. as well as recycling too! I’m also vegan haha but, with that being said. With my clothing brand (STRIPED™)-for instance-I upcycle and repurpose all of the clothes so nothing goes to waste. There’s a lot of landfill out there and, most times, brands will overproduce product and waste resources that end up being thrown away and labeled as garbage. At STRIPED™, we take fabrics and “waste” from thrift stores or other local brands and completely flip them; we STRIPE-IFY them. It’s really cool and it gives a sense of culture and story behind the garment itself. It’s awesome! Almost like a gift that keeps on giving. Also skips out on a lot of major production costs so the clothing can be affordable!”
Question III
The ability to adapt to situations is a key form of human intelligence. I feel it’s something we as a society often overlook, which sometimes causes us to fall into the trap of absolutist or rigid thinking patterns. Can you think of a time when you embraced being adaptable in a situation that then had a positive outcome?
“Oh yeah, for sure. I mean too many to count haha! But, one that I can recall very well is this one time when I played & headlined a festival in Koreatown in Los Angeles. It was really hot, summer 2019 and my DJ for this particular show (whom was provided by the festival) did not do his job at all. He was essentially ruining and sabotaging my set by being belligerently drunk and completely incoherent. Me on the other hand; I’m having to keep my cool and be able to continue my performance without losing it or getting too upset at the overall situation or the DJ. Before I knew it, my older brother Daniel D’artiste had stepped in to help orchestrate the rest of the set very smoothly, and I couldn’t have been happier at that result. I feel like if I was too upset or just walked off the stage like I originally wanted to, or maybe even cursed out the DJ hahaha my brother wouldn’t have even thought of stepping up in that way. He saved the day pretty much, and again, it’s about keeping that heart open to allow the universe to bless you.”