Nine Days

There are those who innovate, and then there are those who invoke. Donwan Harrell manages to do both. As the president, co-founder and creative director of Nine Days, PRPS, and Akademiks, Harrell focuses on producing bold, well-designed fashions that are both classically cool yet effortlessly modern. Denim is the cornerstone of Harrell’s designs, and is an area of constant innovation. “I’m a very competitive person,” says Donwan. “I like to find an audience, pick them apart and see if I can figure out what they want. I want to take what I do best and apply it to different age brackets, different income brackets. “ The best part? “They all wear jeans.”

THE STORY
In 1730 George Scott in the sloop, Lttle George, sailed from the Guinea Coast with a cargo of 96 captives, 35 of whom were men. Days later the captives slipped out of their shackles and chaines, and at 4:30 in th emorning, attacked the ship and crew, successfully overpowering and imprisoning them in the cabins below deck. The men took control of the ship and guided it back to Sierra Leone coast in NINE DAYS. Where, after exchanging the freedom of the 96 slaves for the freedom of the captain and crew, they abandoned the ship.

Those nine days were about successfully rebelling against a system intent on keeping others in a box... we will never allow ourselves to be slaves. Slaves to stereotypes, labels, and limitations... This nine days is about celebrating you and other like-minded individuals who revolt against the machine. I shout to the world, “I am ruled by no one!”

INSPIRATIONS
“I learned to re-look at American culture, and take pride in the things we do,” he says. In particular, Donwan embraced a love of all things denim—a passion that still drives him today. “Denim grows with you, it breathes with you... I can read a jean.” A long–time favorite of artists and entertainers, the Akademiks’ aesthetic is influenced by the Arts. “Music has always been a dominating influence for us,” says Donwan, “There are so many influences in street music. It doesn’t even have to be hip?hop. It could be a great trombone player, or rising underground DJ. If he has a progressive and authentic sound, then it’s hot, and we are into supporting it.” Today, the brand turns to female artists like M.I.A. and Kid Sister for inspiration as much as it does classic punk pioneers like Bad Brains, who revolted against the mainstream.