Sunday, October 8th, 2023
The Sunday Destiny and I meet is the first day of fall here in Chicago. The calendar claims autumn started two and a half weeks ago. But today officially brings in the new season. This morning, the sun is missing and so are the bright blue skies. In their place is a low hanging, milky-gray blanket. The fall wind carrying the chilled weather sounds different too. It’s heavier—filled with the rustle of aging leaves brushing against each other.
But despite the changes, there is movement in Bronzeville. Sidewalkers offer courteous good mornings in passing and the free street parking for churchgoers on South Michigan is filling up quickly. Still, I only have to circle the block once to find a park. Destiny and I exit the vehicle and breath in new.
We meet fellow Chicago creative and clothing stylist Mya Perry a short walk away. She parked on the opposite side of the street just in front of the SouthSide Community Arts Center. Hugs are exchanged and I admire what the two pulled an all nighter to a complete. Destiny Brady’s ensemble.
It’s dashing. Clean. Fitting in the way it hugs her person and represents her. Most of all, it’s intentional. Not one piece of fabric or jewelry goes uncomplimented. Mya periodically prunes Destiny as we walk like a painter making minor adjustments. She only needs to make subtle changes. A piece of lint here, a stray strand there. She stands proudly by what she put together for todays shoot and interview. Rightfully so.
Destiny in alleyway that separates the two worlds of her youth. Styled by @myaperry
After an impromptu stop to Pearl’s Place for a bathroom break, the three of us carry out the photo/video capture portion of the project. It takes us about an hour and twenty minutes. Between the team there are two film cameras, a vhs camcorder, one pair of baby blue heels, assists in the form of back up pearls and napkins to dab sweat, and as well as bouquet of pewter flowers. We share just as much laughter as we do shot analyzation. Destiny informs me in a somber tone that the mural that used to sit on the wall of the ally has been painted over. An executive decision is made to use the remaining shots to photograph Destiny in front of her late Grandfather’s home. The Last White House in Bronzeville is less than a 5 minute walk away from our original location.
On the walk over Destiny acts as a tour guide for her own origin story sharing the relevance of streets and the CTA station to our immediate right. All of our emotions start to reflect the day’s weather as Destiny explains the porch she stands on is the last she saw her grandfather alive. “Joking, laughing, and as big as day.”
han : I have to ask, what's the significance of your outfit?
“What, this outfit?” the artist responds coyly.
For the record, Destiny has at least two different kinds of laughs. One is playful and always lasts at least three beats, this is the most contagious laugh.
The second is a laugh she pulls out for ironic or pessimistic situations. This laugh doesn’t sound dry, but there’s a firmness behind it.
I roll my eyes in a friendly way and smile back at Destiny’s grin “Yes, the one you’re wearing right now!”
“Well, Budda—her and Mya’s childhood nickname for each other—and I came up with this look because I always loved to see my momma in a suit. To me, that’s when she looked the most feminine.”
“Suits also represent joyous and sad occasions, like funerals and marriage. I can say with the amount of death and blessings I’ve experienced in my life lately, I’m mourning the old—but welcoming in the new.”
han: Give me a briefing of you what it was like being you growing up?
han: What did you study in school?
han: What was your PawPaw like?
han: How is this area that you grew up in changing?
han: Why is exhibition design another one of your passions?
han: When did you start farming?
Destiny’s favorite flower Goldenrod.
han: What is farming like?
han: What does your name mean to you?
Destiny in Bronzeville alleyway.
han : When is storytelling Better?
View more of Destiny’s work here:
