Today we’d like to introduce you to D’An Don Juan – Johnson.
Hi D’An, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey into fashion wasn’t necessarily something I planned. In fact, becoming a fashion designer wasn’t my childhood dream. Fashion was something I found myself doing, and what began as a natural gift eventually became a career that would take me places I never imagined.
I come from five generations of seamstresses, so the art of creating with my hands is deeply rooted in my family history. But having a gift and understanding its purpose are two completely different things. Over the years, I’ve learned that sometimes the very thing you stumble into becomes the vehicle that carries you toward opportunities you never knew existed.
I’ve spent more than 22 years in the fashion industry, developing my skills as a designer, master seamstress, stylist, creative director, and entrepreneur. Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to showcase my work on platforms associated with New York Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week, become a semifinalist for Season 15 of Project Runway, produce fashion shows, mentor aspiring creatives, and work with people from all walks of life.
But my journey hasn’t been a straight line.
I’ve experienced seasons of tremendous success, moments when I questioned my direction, and times when I had to rebuild, reinvent, and rediscover myself. I’ve worn many hats, both inside and outside the fashion industry. Each experience taught me something about business, leadership, people, and, most importantly, myself.
One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is that being gifted at something doesn’t automatically mean you understand how to build a sustainable business around it. Talent may open the door, but discipline, integrity, consistency, and a willingness to evolve are what help you remain in the room.
Today, I am the founder of Model Haven Design Group, a fashion and design company that is evolving into a luxury-focused destination for custom design, professional alterations, wardrobe styling, and fashion emergency services. My vision extends beyond creating beautiful garments. I want to establish a standard of excellence in craftsmanship, exceptional service, and an experience that makes every client feel valued.
I’m also passionate about developing the next generation of seamstresses and designers. I believe that a gift becomes even more valuable when you’re willing to teach someone else how to use theirs.
My faith has played an enormous role in how I navigate my life and career. I’ve learned that success isn’t always about how far you can go or how many people know your name. Sometimes success is having the courage to change direction, start again, or acknowledge that you’re still becoming the person God created you to be.
And that’s where I am today.
I’m proud of everything I’ve accomplished, but I’m equally excited about everything I’m still discovering. I’m no longer interested in simply building a name in fashion. I’m building something that will outlive me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Smooth? Ha!!! Absolutely not! But I can honestly say that every challenge has contributed to the woman and business owner I am today.
One of my greatest struggles has been learning how to balance the creative side of who I am with the business side of what I do. As a creative, I can become so consumed with bringing a vision to life that I forget to consider the time, resources, and financial investment required to make it happen. I’ve had to learn that just because I have the ability to create something doesn’t necessarily mean I should, especially at the expense of my own well-being or the sustainability of my business.
Work-life balance has also been a journey. When you’re passionate about what you do, it’s easy to convince yourself that every opportunity requires your immediate attention. There were seasons when I gave so much of myself to my work, my clients, and everyone else’s expectations that I had very little left for myself. I’ve had to learn that rest is not a reward for exhaustion. It’s a responsibility.
Then there’s the journey of understanding my own worth. Not just what my work is worth financially, but who I am outside of what I can produce. When people recognize your gifts, they can sometimes begin to value your accessibility more than your humanity. Learning to establish boundaries, charge appropriately, say no without guilt, and recognize that I don’t have to prove my value through constant productivity has been life-changing.
Navigating relationships has been another significant lesson. I’ve had to learn the difference between nurturing a relationship and maintaining access to someone simply because of history, familiarity, or opportunity. I’m naturally someone who loves to pour into people, but I’ve learned that I can love people, wish them well, and still recognize when certain relationships require distance. Every connection isn’t meant to accompany you into every season.
And then there’s the fashion and entertainment industry itself!
I’ve had the privilege of working with celebrity clientele, navigating major professional networks, and entering spaces that, on paper, I wasn’t necessarily expected to occupy. I don’t have a formal fashion degree. My education came through generations of craftsmanship, hands-on experience, countless hours of refining my skills, and what I wholeheartedly believe has been the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
There were times when I walked into rooms surrounded by people with impressive credentials, extensive connections, and industry recognition. I had to learn not to allow what I didn’t have on paper to overshadow what I carried in my hands, my mind, and my spirit.
I’ve also learned that when you’re new to certain levels of the industry, people can smell “fresh blood.” Not every opportunity is what it appears to be, and not everyone offering access has your best interests at heart. There can be tremendous pressure to compromise your values, overlook questionable behavior, or accept situations that don’t align with who you are simply because someone promises exposure or advancement.
I’ve had to make some difficult decisions about what I was willing to participate in, what I would walk away from, and what success would look like on my own terms. My faith has been my compass. I refuse to believe that I have to sacrifice my integrity to fulfill my purpose.
Social media has presented its own challenges. We’re living in a time when visibility is often mistaken for success, followers for influence, and constant content for productivity. I’ve had to remind myself that my value as a designer isn’t determined by an algorithm. Some of the most meaningful work happens when nobody is watching, liking, sharing, or applauding.
But perhaps one of the most important struggles has been learning to continually check my ego.
When you’ve accomplished certain things, received recognition, and gained experience, it’s easy to become overly attached to your title, your reputation, or your own way of doing things. I never want to become so impressed with what I’ve accomplished that I forget I was once the person who needed someone to believe in me, teach me, correct me, or open a door.
I believe that gifts are entrusted to us, not simply given to us for personal recognition. If God has allowed me to develop a skill, gain wisdom, and occupy certain spaces, then I have a responsibility to make room for others.
I want to remain teachable while I’m teaching, humble while I’m succeeding, and generous even when I’ve had to fight for what I’ve built.
So no, the road hasn’t been smooth. I’ve had to learn some lessons more than once, and I’m still learning others.
But I’ve come to understand that every open door isn’t an assignment, every closed door isn’t rejection, and every opportunity isn’t worth the cost of losing yourself.
My goal is not simply to be successful in this industry. It’s to remain whole, grounded, and faithful to who I am while doing it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a fifth-generation master seamstress, fashion designer, stylist, creative director, and the founder of Model Haven Design Group. At the heart of everything I do is craftsmanship, creativity, and the belief that fashion should serve the individual rather than requiring the individual to conform to fashion.
My work spans several areas of the industry, including luxury alterations, custom garment construction, couture design, wardrobe styling, creative direction, fashion show production, and education. I specialize in understanding not only how a garment should look, but how it should be constructed, how it should fit, how it should move, and most importantly, how the person wearing it should feel.
I often say that I don’t need a pattern to see the possibilities in a piece of fabric. I can look at a garment and envision what it could become. My ability to deconstruct, reconstruct, reshape, and reimagine clothing is one of the things that has defined my career. Whether I’m creating an elaborate couture piece, tailoring a gentleman’s suit, transforming a thrifted garment, or solving a last-minute wardrobe emergency, I approach each project with the same level of care and attention to detail.
I’m particularly passionate about fit. Beautiful clothing means very little if the person wearing it doesn’t feel comfortable, confident, or seen. I’ve worked with individuals of various shapes, sizes, backgrounds, and lifestyles, and I believe exceptional craftsmanship should never be limited to one body type.
Over the years, I’ve had opportunities to work with celebrity clients, participate in major fashion platforms, and contribute my skills in environments where precision, professionalism, confidentiality, and quick thinking are essential. Those experiences taught me how to perform under pressure, adapt to unexpected challenges, and deliver solutions without compromising quality.
One of the services I’m especially excited about developing through Model Haven Design Group is our luxury, client-centered alteration and 24HR Fashion Emergency experience. I recognize that fashion emergencies don’t always happen during traditional business hours. Sometimes a garment needs immediate attention before a wedding, an important event, a performance, or a production. My vision is to provide an elevated level of service that combines exceptional technical skill with convenience, discretion, and genuine care for the client.
But Model Haven Design Group is about more than garments. I’m building a company where craftsmanship and service excellence work together, where the client experience is just as memorable as the finished product.
As for what sets me apart, I believe it’s my ability to bridge multiple sides of the industry. I understand fashion from the designer’s perspective, the seamstress’s perspective, the stylist’s perspective, and the business owner’s perspective. I’m not limited to creating a concept. I understand how to bring that concept to life from beginning to end.
I’m also a problem solver by nature. Give me a challenging garment, an unusual design request, a complicated fit issue, or a seemingly impossible deadline, and my mind immediately begins searching for solutions. I don’t believe every challenge requires starting over. Sometimes it simply requires seeing something differently.
When I consider what I’m most proud of, I could certainly point to my accomplishments: becoming a semifinalist for Season 15 of Project Runway, presenting my work on fashion platforms connected to New York and Paris, producing runway experiences, and having my work recognized beyond my immediate community.
Those moments mean a great deal to me, but they aren’t my greatest source of pride.
I’m most proud of the lives I’ve been able to impact through my gift.
I’m proud of the people who have stood in front of my mirror and seen themselves differently because of something I created or altered. I’m proud of the aspiring seamstresses I’ve had opportunities to train, the creatives I’ve encouraged, and the individuals who discovered that they were capable of more than they initially believed.
Being a fifth-generation seamstress gives me a deep appreciation for the knowledge passed down before me. But I don’t want that legacy to stop with me. I want to preserve the art of sewing and help develop a new generation of skilled professionals who understand that this craft can become a meaningful and sustainable career.
Another thing that sets me apart is my faith and how it influences my approach to business. I don’t view my abilities as something that makes me better than anyone else. I view them as something I’ve been entrusted to steward. That perspective challenges me to maintain integrity, remain teachable, and consistently operate with excellence.
I also believe that luxury is not defined solely by a price tag, a designer label, or exclusivity. True luxury is found in the details, the craftsmanship, the experience, and the way you make someone feel.
Ultimately, I want Model Haven Design Group to be known for far more than beautiful clothing. I want it to become synonymous with exceptional craftsmanship, innovative solutions, professionalism, and a standard of service that people can trust.
Because at the end of the day, I’m not just creating clothing. I’m restoring confidence, preserving craftsmanship, solving problems, and building a legacy.
The garment may be what brings someone through my door, but the experience is what I want them to remember.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My greatest advice when it comes to finding a mentor or networking is to stop approaching people solely from the perspective of what they can do for you. Instead, ask yourself what you can learn, what you can contribute, and how you can build a genuine relationship.
Networking, for me, has never been about collecting business cards, taking pictures with influential people, or being able to say I know someone important. It’s about connection, character, consistency, and credibility.
I’ve had the opportunity to work with celebrity clients, connect with industry professionals, and enter spaces that I once only imagined being part of. One thing I’ve learned is that your reputation will often enter a room before you do. How you treat people, how you handle pressure, whether you honor your commitments, and how you conduct yourself when nobody is watching can open doors that a résumé or social media following never could.
When it comes to mentorship, I encourage people to be intentional. Don’t simply look for someone who has achieved the level of success you desire. Look for someone whose character, values, discipline, and lifestyle reflect qualities you respect.
Everyone who is successful isn’t necessarily qualified to mentor you, and everyone who can mentor you won’t necessarily look successful by the world’s standards.
Some of the greatest lessons I’ve received have come from people who weren’t famous, didn’t have large platforms, and weren’t publicly celebrated. They simply possessed wisdom, experience, and a willingness to share what they knew.
I also believe you should never approach mentorship expecting someone else to do the work for you. Come prepared. Ask thoughtful questions. Be willing to receive correction, not just encouragement. Apply what you’ve been taught, and follow through. A mentor can offer guidance, but they cannot substitute for your own discipline.
Another important lesson is understanding that mentorship doesn’t always come in the form of a formal relationship. Sometimes a conversation, an observation, a mistake, or a single piece of advice can teach you something that changes the trajectory of your career. I’ve learned to remain a student regardless of how long I’ve been in the industry.
As for networking, what has worked well for me is being authentic, allowing my work to speak for itself, and treating everyone with the same level of respect.
I don’t believe in treating someone differently because of their title, influence, or financial status. The assistant on a production set deserves the same respect as the executive running it. The young designer just getting started deserves the same kindness as the established designer being celebrated.
You never know whose life you’re impacting, and you should never need to know someone’s position to determine how well you treat them.
I’ve also learned the importance of discernment. Not every connection needs to become a close relationship, and not every opportunity for access is an opportunity for alignment. Early in your career, it can be tempting to say yes to everything because you’re afraid of missing your moment. But I’ve learned that protecting your integrity, your peace, and your purpose is just as important as expanding your network.
My faith plays a significant role in that. I believe the Holy Spirit has guided me into rooms I couldn’t have entered through credentials or connections alone. But I’ve also had to be prepared when those doors opened. Faith doesn’t eliminate the responsibility to develop your skills, show up professionally, and do excellent work.
Now that I’m in a position to mentor and train others, I try to remember what it felt like to need guidance myself. I never want to become so accomplished that I become inaccessible to someone who genuinely wants to learn. At the same time, I recognize that healthy mentorship requires boundaries, mutual respect, and a willingness to grow.
I tell aspiring creatives that you don’t always need someone to give you an opportunity. Sometimes you need someone to help you recognize the opportunities already in front of you.
And when you finally reach a place where people begin looking to you for guidance, don’t forget to reach back.
Networking may introduce you to people, but your character determines the quality of the relationships you build. Mentorship may help open doors, but what you do with the wisdom you’ve received is ultimately your responsibility.
My advice is simple: Be genuine. Be prepared. Stay teachable. Honor your relationships. Never compromise your integrity for access, and never become so successful that you forget the importance of serving others.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modelhavendesigngroup?psln=MTkwMGx1ZHVzejNiZw==
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@modelhavenbouti?_r=1&_t=ZP-9AjqMHh3ZJ0
