Meet La-Chelle M Dickenson | Custom Creator and Dancer

We had the good fortune of connecting with La-Chelle M Dickenson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi La-Chelle M, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. During my teenage years, I had started and helped run many businesses. Entrepreneurship was even my minor in college. However, when it comes to fashion, I don’t have this great story of going to the top design schools or sewing all my life. In all honesty, at the start of the pandemic, I purchased a sewing machine in consideration of the fact that I would be spending a lot of time at home. I thought it would be fun to pick up an old hobby I had in high school. As I began to sew different things and post what I was creating, I started getting DMs from friends and family asking to purchase what I was making. Thus, Created By LA came to be.
A year after purchasing my machine, I discovered a passion for creating pieces that reflect the innate beauty of a person. It is important to me that my work resonates with my clients. Everything on my site is limited edition, one of a kind, or customizable!

Created By LA
-“One Of A Kind, For Your Unique Design”-

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
By trade, I am a Professional dancer with over 16 years of training. Dance is my career, it is what I studied in college and currently pursue.
In my journey, I discovered that growth is not linear. In an industry that is so demanding, mentally, emotionally, and physically it is important to know your principles. To avoid allowing people to determine my worth as an artist, I had to establish and stand on my definition of success. While it is easy for me to feel like the pandemic put a halt on my career, during my time away, I was able to mentally mature and also invest in other parts of myself.
My business, Created By LA llc, was founded during my time away from dance. Sewing, designing, and creating, are all things that I enjoy doing, and unlike dance, the pressure for consistent perfection is overshadowed by the enjoyment of the process and the opportunity to refine my work until I am pleased.

Now that we are on the other side of the pandemic I joined a touring dance company. I am in a space where I am a performing artist and a fashion/design artist. Both art forms fulfill me in different ways.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would have to take my friend to Rehoboth Beach, Southern Delaware. We would start the day on the Beach. Enjoying the sun and jumping the big waves of one of Delaware’s most popular beaches. Visiting the boardwalk for food, cotton candy, and matching henna tattoos. Then we would go shopping at the outlets (there is no sales tax in Delaware!) We end the night with a late-night movie at one of the old-school theaters in the Rehoboth area

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to Shoutout Andrew Bryant. My dear friend is always pushing me to try something new! He will send me a sketch of an outfit idea and a text message always ending with “I know you can do it Friend!” His continuous encouragement really gives me the confidence to step into the unknown.

I have to also Shoutout my Family!!
This includes my Mother, Father, Sister, and my Beautiful Grandmothers.

Website: https://www.createdbyla.shop

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/createdbyla/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createdbylallc/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZXuXLcrB9OhbBXaYR4cVTw

Image Credits
Personal Image: Outfit designed and tailored by LA
Custom Puffer Coat by LA | Model: Jordan Bailey
Custom Sew Suit by LA | Model: Machel Maxam
Custom Pink Vest, Pink Pants, and Altered Turtle Neck by LA | Models Andrew Bryant
Dance Photo: @nirarieli