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

Why Derik Fay Is Becoming a Case Study in Long-Haul Entrepreneurship

Published

1 week ago

July 2, 2025

Michelle Langton

Entrepreneurship today is often framed in extremes — overnight exits or public flameouts. But a small cohort of operators is being studied for something far less viral: consistency. Among them, Derik Fay has quietly surfaced as a long-term figure whose name appears frequently across sectors, interviews, and editorial mentions — yet whose personal visibility remains relatively limited.

Fay’s career spans more than 20 years and includes work in private investment, business operations, and emerging entertainment ventures. Though many of his companies are not household names, the volume and duration of his activity have made him a subject of interest among business media outlets and founders who study entrepreneurial longevity over fame.

He was born in Westerly, Rhode Island, in 1978, and while much of his early career remains undocumented publicly, recent profiles including recurring features in Forbes — have chronicled his current portfolio and leadership methods. These accounts often emphasize his pattern of working behind the scenes, embedding within businesses rather than leading from a distance. His style is often described by peers as “operational first, media last.”

Fay has also become recognizable for his consistency in leadership approach: focus on internal systems, low public profile, and long-term strategy over short-term visibility. At 46 years old, his posture in business remains one of longevity rather than disruption a contrast to many of the more heavily publicized entrepreneurs of the post-2010 era.

While Fay has never publicly confirmed his net worth, independent analysis based on documented real estate holdings, corporate exits, and investment activity suggests a conservative floor of $100 million, with several credible indicators placing the figure at well over $250 million. The exact number may remain private but the scale is increasingly difficult to overlook.

He is also involved in creative sectors, including film and media, and maintains a presence on social platforms, though not at the scale or tone of many personal-brand-driven CEOs. He lives with his long-term partner, Shandra Phillips, and is the father of two daughters — both occasionally referenced in interviews, though rarely centered.

While not an outspoken figure, Fay’s work continues to gain media attention. The reason may lie in the contrast he presents: in a climate of rapid rises and equally rapid burnout, his profile reflects something less dramatic but increasingly valuable — steadiness.

There are no viral speeches. No Twitter threads drawing blueprints. Just a track record that’s building its own momentum over time.

Whether that style becomes the norm for the next wave of founders is unknown. But it does offer something more enduring than buzz: a model of entrepreneurship where attention isn’t the currency — results are.