Meet Ariona Fanning | Artist, Fashion designer, Stylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ariona Fanning and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ariona, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind my success and brand (clothing brand and personal brand) is God. God has blessed me with beautiful ideas to launch my brand since I was a little girl in my granny’s kitchen drawing clothes. Sui Generis is the name of my clothing brand. The name was given to me as an idea by my mother when I was 10 years old. Sui generis is a Latin word that means “to be original” or “of its own kind”. The authenticity of my brand and what it represents is what makes people gravitate towards the brand what it means to them as an individual. To unapologetically stand out the crowd and embrace what makes you unique is what my brand promotes and I also live by that motto which reflects in my personal brand. God has helped me appreciate being who he made me to be and that’s what is most important to the success of my brand is sharing that so that others can appreciate that in themselves as well.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is deeply rooted in storytelling, identity, and transformation. I design clothing and paint works of at as an expressions of my emotions and experiences—each piece is meant to empower, inspire, and spark conversation. What sets me apart is the way I merge fashion with narrative: I’m not only creating clothes, I’m creating a visual language for people who want to feel seen, bold, and connected to something bigger than themselves.

The journey to where I am now has been anything but easy. As an upcoming designer and artist. I’ve faced challenges with resources, visibility, and even self-doubt. But each obstacle has pushed me to refine my vision and reimagine what success looks like. I’ve learned that resilience, consistency, and authenticity are the foundation of sustainable creativity.

Right now, I’m in the process of rebranding my clothing line to reflect my growth as both as an artist and a person. I’m most proud of this transformation, because it’s not just about creating new designs—it’s about building a brand that speaks to my community, honors my culture, and redefines luxury in a way that’s inclusive and intentional. I’ve learned that it’s necessary to start over, learn more, and take time to create a brand that is built to last.

What I want the world to know about me is that my art is not manufactured—it’s lived. Every work of art that includes my clothing and paintings comes from my personal experiences, my heritage, and my vision of what art can be when it’s soulful, loud, and unapologetic. My story is still being written, but my brand is a promise: to create art that empowers people to stand confidently in who they are.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I had a friend that was visiting, I would take them to La Lucha for brunch has the best fried chicken or I would take them to Lucille‘s that has the best croissant French toast. I would then take them to Hardy and Nance Studios, where they have the dopest art shows that showcase the most talented artists in Houston . My favorite places for dinner that are a must go to would be bungalow for a more upscale scenery or if you’re looking for something more chill to go to Rodeo goat where they have the best burgers. For nightlife, I would take my friend to a place where a lot of individuals are creative or very stylish, and those places typically are off the record which is in downtown Houston and also bald kitty or neighbors. These three places play the best music have the best DJs and offer R&B music and a dance floor

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shout out to both of my parents for always supporting me and my creative endeavors in being an artist and fashion designer. My granny and Papa may he rest in peace for dropping to and from Watkins College of Art in Nashville, TN at 12 years old for fashion summer school that I was blessed to have a scholarship for. My aunt for allowing me to assist her for Nashville Fashion Week shows at a very young age and photo shoots she would be apart of as a stylist herself. My mentor Toju for teaching me how to sew and being patient with me through the process. My friends and associates from back home in Nashville TN and in Houston for supporting me up until this point. Last but who I’m most grateful to is God for blessing me with gifts I have and allowing me to share them with the world.

Instagram: Arionadeshay

Other: Clothing line instagram: suigthebrand
TikTok: Arideshay

Image Credits
Sierra Smith “Taqo”