Lifestyle

Aria Noir Model on the 5 Things that Separate Designer Clothing from the Competition

Published

3 years ago

April 12, 2022

Artists want to stand out and make a statement. Naturally, they seek out fashion that is original and fresh. Aria Noir is the chosen brand of rapper Jalal, AKA Feros. In this article, Feros shares five reasons why creative individuals turn to the artistry of fashion designers as they represent their identity to the world.

1. Designer fashion is original

High-end fashion is not the same thing artists obtain from fashion designers. While Prêt-a-porter is created for discerning customers with attention to fabric, detail, and cut, it is mass-produced for the general market.

Haute Couture designers create from scratch and are true artists themselves. Aria Noir’s pieces resonate with a small but serious artistic audience base. The brand’s designs exemplify its vision of “for designers, by designers” which, while an admittedly acquired taste, is one committed to continue producing clothing artists adore to adorn.

2. Designer fashion emphasizes unique design

When fashion designers create a line or a single item, they experiment with exotic and prized materials, mixing textiles and textures. During the creation process, fashion designers hand-sketch or computer-draft original concepts, reviewing and revising those concepts until they achieve the designer’s vision.

“My favorite part in the creative process is the final product,” Feros says regarding both his music and the Aria Noir designs he models. “It’s like giving birth to something that didn’t exist before, and now it does because of me. The ultimate reward is when someone else acknowledges its beauty.”

To achieve that unique beauty in the final designs, Aria Noir incorporates precious metals and unique textiles. This season, gold and alpaca wool feature prominently in the brand’s pieces.

Gold brings a transcendent value to items due to its scarcity and utility. In other words, it’s not only pretty—it’s practical. This season, Aria Noir electroplated every metallic element of its ARCA series eyewear with 18k gold to communicate value beyond design.

The brand extols baby alpaca wool as the “other Peruvian gold.” This remarkable textile confers unparalleled softness on this year’s collection of knits.

3. Designer fashion features an artist’s individual identity

Artists embody their unique personas through their works and through the style they wear. Feros, for instance, was born in Damascus, Syria, and immigrated to Montreal, Canada, in 1996. The struggle of leaving family and friends behind, coming to a new world, learning a new language, and adapting to new customs seeped into his very identity.

“This journey is only one of many stories that make me who I am,” says Feros. “My life has been one of adventure, joy, and sorrow. I attempt to put these life experiences into words and tell my story”.

It is no wonder Feros is drawn to the designs of Aria Noir. The backbone of inspiration behind the brand’s designs is one of tragic romanticism—a term used to describe the nature of life’s sad but tender story. That bitter-sweet idea colors every aspect of the brand’s creations.

“Life is full of surprises; many good, many bad,” remarks Feros. “That is what makes life so beautiful. You fully mature when you realize that in every bad experience, there is a positive lesson or outcome. That’s what we all need to focus on.”

4. Designer fashion lends authority

Creative works of art are subjective. Artists wear designer fashion to embody creative freedom in their works and their authority to make artistic statements. “I like to have fun and explore new things in life and music,” Feros comments. “My style has changed since I first started and will continue to transform. My goal is to keep improving and diversifying.”

Any true work of art makes a statement and evokes varying emotions. Some find Aria Noir’s designs gorgeous, while others find those same designs grotesque. The brand’s slogan is not dogmatic truth—it’s a personal statement, and artists are drawn to this vision.

5. Fashion designers enable artists to express authenticity

Fashion designers do not create out of the constraints of mass appeal. Their designs spring from pure inspiration. The artists who model their works identify with this authentic expression.

“My inspiration comes from real-life experiences, “says Feros. “I stay true to who I am and where I am from, both artistically and in real life. I never pretend to be something or someone I’m not.”

Aria Noir has a small but devoted following and is determined to stay true to itself. Its creations are not products—they are intimate experiences. To learn more about the fashion creations or the artists who model them, readers can visit Aria Noir’s website and Instagram feed.

Lifestyle

The Future of Social Dancing: How Latin Dance is Adapting to a New Generation

Published

7 hours ago

August 21, 2025

Michelle Langton

Latin dance thrives on connection. The music, the partner, and the crowd all feed one another.

Today, that connection is shaped by a younger, digitally fluent generation, and few understand the shift better than Damian Guzman, founder of Bachata Sensual America (BSA). From prize-winning festivals to late-night socials, Guzman and BSA show how the scene is evolving without losing its roots.

Streaming steps, viral beats

A decade ago, beginners to Latin dance hunted for grainy DVD tutorials; now they unlock entire combinations on their phones. TikTok loops, YouTube shorts, and Instagram reels have compressed learning into snack-sized bursts.

Many of the artists signed on with Bachata Sensual America meet dancers where they scroll, posting slow-motion breakdowns and “follow-along” drills that rack up thousands of views. This approach addresses two key Gen Z demands: instant access and a clear path from screen to floor.

By allowing newcomers to practice at home before facing a packed room, the online channel lowers the fear barrier while seeding a desire for in-person connection.

Festivals as entry points, not finish lines

Digital discovery is only the first act. For many people, their real baptism happens at multi-day events where practice hours blur into sunrise socials.

BSA’s flagship Houston Bachata Sensual Festival returned on May 2^nd, 2025, with a follow-up week slated for Bachata Sensual Festival Chicago, September 4^th-9^th, 2025. Both weekends pair technique labs with mental-wellness talks and DJs specializing in bachata, mirroring the playlists in dancers’ earbuds.

That balance of skills and community is why independent reviewers named BSA one of the “Top Latin Dance Festivals in the United States” for 2025. Yet, for Damian, awards matter less than the message: a festival can feel world-class without pricing out college students. He keeps passes tiered, encourages volunteer shifts that offset costs, and prepares bootcamps for absolute beginners, ensuring the dance floor reflects the same diversity he sees online.

Teaching culture, not just choreography

Bachata’s recent boom owes much to its European reinvention. Damian experienced that surge firsthand while earning one of the first U.S. instructor certifications in the Bachata Sensual style. He returned determined to give American dancers the same blend of precision and musicality he had experienced abroad.

BSA classes devote equal time to connection cues, body mechanics, and the genre’s Dominican roots. That trifecta resonates with younger students who want authenticity, not just a viral dip.

“In class I tell people, ‘Technique is how you respect your partner; musicality is how you respect the song,’” Guzman said during a recent podcast. The line distills his mission: elevate standards while keeping the dance welcoming.

Building inclusive, mindful spaces

Generation Z brings new expectations around consent, identity, and mental health. BSA’s code of conduct spells out everything from appropriate touch to gender-neutral role selection. Security staff mediate conflicts quickly, and workshop leaders open sessions with grounding exercises to calm nerves. These actions might sound small, yet they remove friction that once pushed many newcomers away.

Damian argues that such policies go beyond ethics; they future-proof the scene. Normalizing role fluidity in Latin dance widens its talent pool and invites richer musical interpretations. By acknowledging anxiety and overstimulation — common concerns for digital natives — events can retain dancers who might otherwise retreat after their first crowded social.

Latin dance has never stood still, and its next evolution is already spinning under disco lights from Houston to Helsinki. With a phone in every pocket and a festival on every calendar, the gap between discovery and mastery keeps shrinking.

Damian Guzman and Bachata Sensual America illustrate what happens when tradition listens, adapts, and leads with purpose. The result is a scene ready for whatever beat the next generation drops — and a future where social dancing feels more connected, inclusive, and alive than ever.