In today’s exclusive interview, we sit down with Davon, the founder of Fly Genius and the creative director at Vanson Leathers, as he takes us deeper into his creative design process. Known for his innovative approach and eye for detail, Davon has built a reputation for shaping the culture with his unique vision and craftsmanship. I’m Luis from LAPOSFLUX, and in this conversation, we’re bringing you one of the most influential minds in the game, straight from New York City. Let’s lock in
FRENCH MONTANA x VANSON LEATHERS
LAPOSFLUX: Before we dive into your journey, you recently collaborated with French Montana on a collection that debuted at Paris Fashion Week. Tell us more about that collaboration.
The collaboration between French Montana and Vanson Leathers, which debuted at Paris Fashion Week, merges French’s global influence with Vanson’s craftsmanship. Designed by French and Vanson’s Creative Director, Davon Bean, the collection pays tribute to French’s Moroccan roots and his journey in music and fashion.
“This collaboration is deeply personal,” says French Montana. “It’s about storytelling, honoring where I’ve been and celebrating where I’m going.” Davon adds, “It’s rare to merge personal heritage with innovative design, and I’m excited to work with someone whose story resonates with mine.”
This partnership also ties into French’s upcoming documentary, blending music, fashion, and culture, and highlights Davon’s ability to fuse bold creativity with cultural pride.
Photos by: KreativeAub
LAPOSFLUX: Let’s talk about the Super Bowl jacket you created with DJ Mustard. What was the process like?
“I worked with Mustard a few years ago when he did a few jackets for me, so we kept in touch,” says Davon. “When it came to the Amazon Prime gig, Mustard reached out for a jacket, and I sent it over to him in Long Beach. He wore it at the concert, and everything was good. Then, when Kendrick performed at the Super Bowl, I hit Mustard up right away. I said, ‘Yo, Mustard, what’s good? I need something for the Super Bowl look.’”
Davon sent over mock-ups, and the two went back and forth, but the process hit a delay. “The communication dropped off for a bit, but we picked it back up, and I finished everything the Tuesday before the Super Bowl,” he recalls. “I shipped it to New Orleans, and of course, a snowstorm delayed the package. I was pulling my hair out, hoping it would make it in time—but it did.”
Davon was relieved when Mustard received the jacket and sent a text: “Bro, this is crazy.” “I was still nervous,” Davon admits. “I also designed Usher’s outfit for the Super Bowl, but logistics didn’t work out. For Mustard’s jacket, I kept it simple—no logos, just the name, number 25, and a couple of American flags. It was simple but effective.”
LAPOSFLUX: Tell us a little bit about your story.
Davon’s journey began in the Bronx, New York, where he grew up in the ‘80s. “It was rough in the Bronx, but I always had an interest in fashion,” he says. Even as a kid, he would beg his mom for the coolest clothes, and sometimes, he’d think, “I could do this better,” or, “I could make that in a different colorway.” His fascination with clothing quickly turned into a drive to create his own designs.
“I went to school in the Bronx but always had an eye on fashion,” Davon explains. He jumped into the retail world, starting with Bloomingdale’s, and later transitioned to working at Louis Vuitton. “I learned a lot behind the ropes at LV, then moved on to Gucci and Burberry, gaining more experience in operations. That was a game-changer for me.”
But it was never enough for Davon just to work in the industry—he had bigger plans. “I took a few courses at FIT, but ultimately, I knew I had to do my own thing,” he says. In 2011, he launched Fly Genius and immediately dove into building his brand. “Fashion is fickle, but I didn’t let the ups and downs stop me. I kept pushing.”
His hard work led to a major opportunity: becoming the Creative Director for Vanson Leathers. “It started with a collaboration, and then when COVID hit, both of us saw the potential to take it further. Now, I’m the first-ever Creative Director at Vanson.” From there, Davon wasted no time, pushing out collaborations with artists like Dave East, Scars Pizza, and DJ Mustard for the Super Bowl, while working with brands like Omni, Awake, and La Supreme.
LAPOSFLUX: In fashion, who’s your biggest inspiration?
Davon: “I don’t know if you guys know, but Virgil Abloh. He’s fire. He’s a high-end fashion designer, and as a Black African American, he really showed you can take this fashion thing to a whole new level. You don’t have to be pigeonholed. He did his own label, Off-White, but then also became the Creative Director for Louis Vuitton. When I saw that, I thought, ‘Yo, I could do both. Run both brands,’ and essentially, that’s what I’m doing now.”
“I’m also inspired by people like ASAP Rocky—he’s one of my bros—and others from where I’m from, like Cool Kai. Anybody coming up and making waves, that’s motivation for me. But I also look up to other designers too. It’s about seeing the possibilities and knowing that we can all push the culture forward.”
LAPOSFLUX: What advice would you give to young designers coming up?
Davon: “Just push creativity, man. Start wherever you can. Maybe it’s a t-shirt, or something small, but just start. Keep growing. People might not get it at first, but they’ll catch on eventually if you go hard and stay consistent.”
LAPOSFLUX: What’s the most important thing to focus on when starting a brand?
Davon: “The key is being unique and staying true to yourself. Be inspired by others, like I was, but make it your own. Draw from your childhood experiences and weave those into your designs. At Vanson, I tell stories through my clothes, often pulling from their archives to create fresh takes. My advice to new designers? Just go for it. Have fun and create without fear—what do you have to lose? You only have one life to live.”
LAPOSFLUX: What advice would you give to someone at the stage you’re at now?
Davon: “Just go for it. I hate to sound cliché, but honestly, follow your dreams. Don’t be nervous. If you want to approach a big brand, just put yourself out there. Be persistent. Don’t be afraid to put on your thinking cap and go after what you want.”