Angela Dean, DeanZign, Designer Collection
Celebrity Designer Angela Dean is taking the world by storm. With critically-acclaimed designs, a loyal following of Hollywood’s top celebrities, this fashion powerhouse has evolved into one of the hottest names in the music and entertainment industry. Angela Dean is preparing to let the world know that she is indeed building a global empire.
She started designing and sewing at the early age of seven years old.
She made a pair of shorts and a matching scarf without a pattern, which was very rare for a child of that age. After graduating from high school she attended the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. Angela is a member of F.I.D.M.’s Alumni Board of Directors, and was the Residing President Elect 2004. Upon graduation, she went directly into the industry designing for various fashion companies. One job she truly enjoyed was designing lingerie for a well- known boutique in Hollywood, California that specialized in high-end lingerie and evening gowns for the television and movie industry.
In 1987, Angela created the now famous bullet bra bustier that launched Madonna’s outerwear lingerie look. She also designed Paula Abdul’s leopard printed bustier on the December 1989 cover of Us Magazine. The two bustier looks created a major fashion trend.
Deanzign began in a small boutique in the eighties on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, California where Angela Dean sold her unique but timeless designs to entertainment heavyweights. As the music video craze exploded, requests for her star-worthy creations took off, leading Angela to eventually close the store to provide full custom service to the celebrities.
She was commissioned by the Legendary Grammy Award-winning, Nancy Wilson to design her wardrobe for her television show “Red Hot and Cool.”
This was an exciting opportunity because Nancy Wilson is such an elegant and regal woman. She represents the true essence of sophistication. Mary Wilson of the original Supremes requested Angela to create new designs for her stage performances. Angela became known for unique designs that transformed from elegant evening gowns to mini-dresses within seconds.
Not long after, Natalie Cole requested Angela to create beautiful gowns for her Grammy Award-winning “Unforgettable” album that featured her father, the legendary singer Nat King-Cole. Angela Dean designed inspiring, timeless gowns that created a mystic around the entire Natalie Cole and Nat King-Cole project. The evening gown that Natalie Cole wore on the October 1991 cover of Ebony Magazine will never be forgotten. That image will always be synonymous with the most successful time in Natalie Cole’s career.
Patti Labelle emerged bringing fire and a flamboyant style, and because of Angela’s design diversity, she was not restricted in her imagination when she created for Patti Labelle. One of the highlights of designing for Ms. Labelle was when Angela designed a silver metal mesh bell sleeve evening gown with a train that weighed over 50 pounds. She was the first designer to ever construct a metal mesh evening gown with set in sleeves. The Grammy award-winning singer, Anita Baker sought out this new, up-and-coming celebrity designer for her new image that she wanted to create for her “Fairytales” video.
The diversity of Angela Dean’s designs was being recognized by all facets of the entertainment industry and not only did she become very popular with women; but also, with men. Montell Jordan became one of the hottest R & B artists and Angela created his image around class and elegance with an edge. Leather, pony, and anaconda skins became his trademark. Angela’s designs for Montell Jordan were ahead of its time.
Deanzign became a full-service studio to the entertainment industry, having access to fashion stylists, make-up artist, hair stylists, and photographers. Major publications recognized Angela’s design talent. Sister 2 Sister magazine was one of the first publications to reach out and request Angela’s expertise in art direction.
The most memorable covers that Angela Dean created was the October 1999 cover featuring multi-platinum recording artist Lil’ Kim and the November 1999 cover, featuring Grammy Award -winning recording artist, Mary J Blige. It was at this time that Angela Dean started being recognized by some of the top fashion stylists and artist in the music and entertainment industry.
The Hollywood Museum requested Angela to collect and preserve original garments worn by her celebrity clients. This medley of originals was called era of entertainment. Deanzign show pieces once worn by Nancy Wilson, Natalie Cole, Patti LaBelle, Dyan Cannon and Priscilla Presley. The exhibit encompassed showstoppers of beaded imported laces, rhinestone embellished gowns, and silk taffeta opera coats that represented the refined elegance of the 40’s and 50’s.
After many unforgettable visual masterpieces, one of the greatest highlights of Angela Dean’s career was when she was asked to design for Hollywood’s eight leading ladies, Halle Berry, Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, Vivica J. Fox, Michael Michelle, Elise Neal, Lorretta Devine, and Regina King for the Collector’s Edition of the 30th Anniversary Essence cover. It was the highest-selling issue in the history of Essence magazine. The individual style that was captured in each design made each piece timeless. Angela Dean’s electrifying designs were featured on many more Essence covers; Oscar nominated actor, Samuel L. Jackson and wife Latonya Richardson Jackson May 2002, Oscar winner Halle Berry December 2002, Magic Johnson and wife Cookie Johnson December 2003, Monique July 2004, and Jill Scott June 2008.
Angela designed a beautiful red silk taffeta ball gown for her 2007 Fall collection. The gown was selected to be used for Paris Hilton’s perfume ad campaign “Can Can.”
The Academy Awards is one of the biggest highlights in a fashion designer’s career. Every major designer anxiously awaits the decision of Hollywood’s’ most elite movie stars to select some of the most highly-viewed designs in television history. Samuel L. Jackson’s wife, LaTonya Richardson Jackson, selected Angela to design her exquisite evening gowns for the 2000, 2002 and 2004 Academy Award shows. Angela Dean of Deanzign was given credit globally by LaTonya Richardson Jackson for the design of her gown on the Red Carpet Pre-Show on E! Entertainment Television Network hosted by Star Jones.
Angela was requested to create a new stage image for multi Grammy award-winning recording artist Chaka Khan. Chaka Khan and Gladys Knight performed for a sold out crowd at the Hollywood Bowl in 2005. Chaka dazzled the crowd in her black beaded lace opera coat. Angela enjoys stage design because with a legend like Chaka Khan and her energetic stage presence, the designs come to life. Nancy Wilson and Chaka Khan were invited to Oprah Winfrey's “Legends Ball 2005” as two of the honorees. Once again Angela’s’ designs for these legendary women were memorable. As the legendary women gathered for a monumental photo, Nancy Wilson poses next to Oprah, finely draped in Deanzign Couture suspended in time never to be forgotten.
Angela’s studio in Los Angeles, California is an exclusive environment that services the Who’s Who of Hollywood.
Angela Dean is in the process of negotiating with a number of investors to launch her worldwide campaign of her luxury designer lifestyle. Deanzign Designer Collections lines will consist of Deanzign Couture (custom, limited edition, luxury line), DZ Fashionista (young, trendy consumer, accessories, bridge line), Angela Dean Collection (mature consumer, bridge line), DZ Men (high quality, fashion forward, bridge line) and Deanzign Home, (flat ware, bedding and interior accessories).
Over the past two decades, Angela Dean has created a brand portfolio of distinctly dressed and satisfied “Superstars.” With immediate goals to further expand Deanzign Designer Collections as the most diversified fashion house in the world. Angela’s long term goals involve continuously growing her fashion empire into an international lifestyle brand and further establishing Deanzign Designer Collections as a worldwide powerhouse of style.
