Meet Cadence Blake | Fashion Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cadence Blake and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cadence, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I grew up in Asheville, North Carolina, surrounded by creativity. My parents are both musicians, deeply rooted in the city’s art scene, and my childhood was spent in that world. That often-looked like breakdancing for tips outside my dad’s shows, running through my mom’s boutique, or skating in parking lots with friends. These spaces were my first classrooms. They taught me that style isn’t just about what you wear; it’s about identity, about how you move through the world. Asheville showed me that clothing can affirm who you are or challenge who people expect you to be, and that curiosity is what pulled me into fashion design. Even though I don’t live there now, the city’s influence still runs through my work.

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.
My work has always been driven by the belief that the way we buy and consume clothes can be more intentional, more connected, and more human. I’m constantly asking myself: What’s missing? Right now, I think it’s genuine community. We live in a time when trends travel faster than relationships, and I want my clothing to counter that, to be more than garments, to be invitations. Invitations to belong to something bigger than fashion, rooted in shared values, creative exchange, and real connection.

Getting to where I am today hasn’t been easy, but the challenges have shaped me as much as the victories. I work with a budget, but I see it as a guide rather than a cage. When a concept pushes beyond my resources, I look for inventive ways to make it happen, as constraints often spark my most original ideas. Risk has been equally essential. I think of it as oxygen: it keeps the work alive. My proudest, most boundary-pushing projects were also the riskiest, and I believe people connect with that vulnerability when they see you step into the unknown.

Collaboration and community have been the cornerstones of my growth. My designs often start with real people, friends, collaborators, and fellow artists, whose personalities and stories shape my work. Moving to Atlanta opened up a whole new creative network, where I’ve been inspired and pushed by some of the most talented young artists I’ve ever met. At the same time, I’ve learned to fiercely protect my own vision. It’s easy to get swept up in other people’s ideas, but staying true to my own taste and values has been one of the most important lessons in my career.

I carry one guiding principle with me: this too shall pass. It’s a reminder to be fully present. In an attention economy, we’re constantly pulled away from the moment, but the times I’ve allowed myself to be completely absorbed in my surroundings have given me my clearest ideas and deepest connections.

Fashion isn’t something I clock in and out of, it’s a part of my life in every way. Whether I have nothing in my account or more than enough, I will always be creating. But I’ve also learned that inspiration comes from living: traveling, discovering new art forms, meeting people. I make space for that now.

As for what sets me apart? I’m not just designing clothes, I’m building a language of connection. I want each piece to hold a memory, to make someone feel seen. Yes, I’d love to show in Paris or London, but for me, the runway is a stage, not the destination. My true goal is to create a lasting creative community, give back to the place that raised me, and look back one day knowing my work brought people together. That’s the legacy I want to leave behind.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend came to visit, we’d probably start the day in Midtown at the High Museum of Art or SCAD’s fashion museum, just wandering around and getting inspired. From there, we’d walk over to Piedmont Park and hope there’s something going on such as live music, food tents, local vendors selling their own creations. After that, we’d head to Little Five Points to thrift at places like Outpost Goods or shoot pool at Factors. Later, we’d check out the nightlife, maybe exploring Underground Atlanta or catching a show at The Masquerade if someone good is playing. The night would wrap up in East Atlanta Village, maybe eating fries at the Flatiron or, if we’re back in Midtown, a comforting bowl of lobster bisque from The Steamhouse Lounge.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Phoenix has been shaping my artistic eye since I was a kid, whether she realized it or not. She’s always been the first to hear about my ideas and the one helping bring them to life, whether that means doing hair and makeup or just showing up with emotional support. She’s constantly introducing me to new music, films, and art, and that influence has deeply shaped my own aesthetic. Honestly, my work wouldn’t look the same without her. You can see her incredible work on Instagram at @the.hair.hex.

Harris is another person I look up to, an incredibly talented designer whose creativity feels both fearless and authentic. Last year, we shared a sewing studio and got to watch our ideas grow side-by-side. We had both struggled to find other creatives we truly connected with in the city, and he was the first person who felt like a kindred spirit in that way. His drive to push boundaries inspires me constantly, and I’ll always be excited to see what he makes next. You can find his work at @harrydenims.

Website: https://www.cvereen.com/

Instagram: @thewhereaboutsofcadence

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cadence-blake-2999381b6/

Other: https://www.mrwshow.com/

Image Credits
a1dzartifact
Oslimbo