The Portfolio of Cedric Claiborne

Designer/Photograher/Tastemaker

An

Artistic

View

Into

A

Dude

Called Ced

If someone asked you what the one most important thing in your life was or if you could keep one thing in your life and have everything else perish, what would it be?

For me that response is simple. My mind and my ability to think is the most important thing in my life and is the one thing I would never let perish.

To some this may seem like a strange answer, but it is the absolute truth. More than what I earn, more than where I live, more than anything I may have or I may gain, more than anything I may lose.

More than anything I may accomplish, more than what anyone may think of me. More than any relationship or network that I may build.

More than any circumstance or obstacle that may come against me. More than any success that may benefit me.

My mind and what I think is more important to me than anything else in my life, simply for the fact that what I think will determine all of these.

With my mind, I can always find or create the solution.

These following pages are a glimpse into my most prized possessions –my Mind and my imagination. The mind that is always seeking to find and create new opportunities, new perspectives, new solutions and new perceptions. The mind that is always looking to learn new things. The mind that has no limits or boundaries. The mind that loves the unknown and that is always looking to knock down the walls of conformity and the unconventional. The mind thatalways questions.

The mind that never settles for the easy way out.

"The real issue is not talent as an independent element, but talent in relationship to will, desire, and persistence. Talent without these things vanishes and even modest talent with those characteristics grows."

- Milton Glaser

In My Mind…Each and everyday people encounter situations and people that spark strong emotions, passionate reactions and deep thoughts.

Many of these emotions, reactions and thoughts are powerful things that can influence the ignition of change in the world and those around us.

However, very few people take these powerful elements seriously and fail to embrace them and do anything with them. They fail to ponder, analyze and question. They simply let those thoughts, reactions and emotions of change, challenge and transformation drift off into oblivion and continue to accept a world in which they simply exist.

I am simply someone who is aching to make his mark on the world and share with everyone what I experience when I notice things in the world.

I always question why things are the way they are. Yet, I am always open to finding out the answers.

I want to have more than what my parents have.

I want to innovate, to challenge the norm. I just want to be me in a world of copies.

I see the world through the eyes of a grown-up kid with endless possibilities and an eagerness to learn.

Who is Ced?

People have a need to place others in boxes. I refuse to be put in one. I hate boxes. Some people think outside the box…As for myself on the other hand, tear it up.

Truth is, if you relate to me, you feel me as a person and what I stand for, not for who I am or what I do.

I am a down-to-earth person, I just happen to see the world a little differently than everyoneelse.

At the end of the day, I know life is much bigger than me and what anyone thinks. I think and I wonder about how to get the most out of life everyday.

I want to be a world traveler with my wife by my side.

I am ambitious. I am always thinking and trying to figure things out.

I love to learn new things. I love to question

Rarely do I like to be told the correct answer.

Sometimes I’d rather figure things out the hard way but I love to learn. I am far from perfect. I do not want to be perfect, just the best at what I do.

I am passionate and a perfectionist.

I am learning to love life because I am learning that life loves me. I am an artist, a sneakerhead. I love soccer. I love music.

Most of all I love to skateboard, it is my inspiration and my getaway.

A lot of people do not ‘get’ me; sometimes I barely ‘get’ myself. I hate when other people ‘think’ they ‘get’ me.

I have a very open mind. I hate conformity.

I am scared of very little, which scares me a whole lot. I love to think. I am a fighter. I always go hard as I can. But sometimes I can be lazy.

I am a daydreamer.

I love my wife more than life itself.

My mind is a everywhere at times. I am wrong a lot. I admit when I amwrong.

I like real people. And I also like enemies.

They teach me a lot.

One day I want to help a great amount of people. I want to be remembered not just for my work but for who I am.

I love myself. I know a lot about myself, and there is still much to learn.

That’s just a little bit aboutmyself and there is still more to come as I continue to learn, grow and evolve.

Ced’s Work

From my experience interning, freelancing and attending the International Academy Of Design, I have learned and practiced the strategic elements of design, business and marketing as well as gained real-world experience creating and working with creative teams.

In addition to that I have owned my own clothing label (Local Academy) which focused on streetwear and accessories in which through that I learned to solve business problems and align with the brand’s truth and promise to its consumers.

Some of the brands I have had the opportunity to work on include Local Academy, Robo-Bonez, X-Customs, Ruehl and Skechers Footwear to name a few.

The following pages include case summaries of some of my favorite brands and projects I have worked on and shows the approaches taken toward my creative processes.

Enjoy!

Local Academy : Class is in session

ChallengeTo create a unisex brand for men and women.

OpportunityDevelop authentic engagement opportunities that brings the X brand to the ground level for all of its current and potential consumers.

InsightThe Brand was created for the more slightly classic T-shirt enthusiast. In this we found inspiration from lifestyle incl, Skateboarding, Photography and pop culture. I wanted the brand to be an extention of myself and my own style as far as tees were concerned. We used only organic materials and used techinques to create the illusion of tees that you have worn all your life.

Sketches and Works

Footwear has always been a passion of mine…

The Designs of Ced

In this business I have learned patience, because very seldom I get things right the first time. Fashion allows mistakes, and sometimes those mistakes turn out to be pure genius. As a perfectionist I expect the best out of myself, but at the same time I have to pace myself not rush in order to make sure that the task gets done right.

I don’t claim to be the best, I just claim to be a hard worker. I fashion is about passion, desire and the willingness to learn and do, not just talent. Here’s some of my sewn (and knitted) pieces modeled by friends as well as some styling within my Black & White photography which is also my hobby.

Enjoy.

Pinstripe Shorts, By Cedric Claiborne

Fingerless Gloves and Scarf, By Cedric Claiborne

V-Neck sweater, By Cedric Claiborne

Scarves By Cedric Claiborne

Jacket and Slim Trousers by Cedric Claiborne

Scarf and Skinny Jeans by Cedric Claiborne

Jacket and Slim Fit Jeans by Cedric Claiborne

Inspirations…My passions and my inspirations all on one page.

My wife.

Skateboarding.

Vintage Porsches.

Street Style.

Pharrell Williams.

Home.

Football.

Photography : Ced behind the Lens

Photography is a form of expression, to be able to catch a moment in time and to have the moment speak volumes.

Cedric ClaiborneDesigner/Photograher/Tastemaker

adudecalledc.tumblr.comcdclaiborne@hotmail.com