Level21 Magazine

 While participating in a local Pop-Up Shop event in Charlotte recently, we had the great pleasure to meet and speak with Dr. Denyse Hicks Ray.

 Dr. Ray took on, not a single, but dual P.H.D. She has practiced medicine since the 1990's under the Surgeon General-David Satcher, she has successfully managed her own practice and has also been a First Responder for every national disaster in the last 25 years. Talk about an amazing person! Dr. Denyse Hicks Ray, a medical professional and fashion designer, collided the two worlds when she manufactured her first face mask. She is the first African American female manufacturer in the state of Hawaii to mass produce products. She stated, "I've got a left-side right-side (brain) where I have gifts on both of those sides and I use them every day, all-day!"

The concept for the mask was birthed from her work during 9/11 and the lack of adequate protection from harmful particles and matter. Dr. Ray had the opportunity to have a legislative meeting to get others to buy into the idea of the apparel manufacturing company, and simply told them "Look around the room, no one in here is naked". Thus, from that date on, “Lady Ease” was born. The masks are currently dispensed in vending machines across the country and throughout China.

She delighted us with recounts of her mother dressing her in Roth Child coats, a cornerstone of her love of fashion. As she put it, this groomed her to be the diva she is today. She has expanded her presence in the world of fashion by introducing her collection of perfected shape wear. Mi Nudes is a shape wear collection designed specifically for women of color. It does not use compression techniques. The design of her shape wear collection is heavily influenced by the marriage of her two passions; health and fashion. All of the fabrics used for the shape wear are natural and breathable with all harmful components removed. The colors that were selected also do not compromise the identities of women of color.  There are also fashion colors available in her shape wear line. The gusset of the garment has also been strategically structured so that a full body unit can be worn without dismantling it to use the restroom. Dr. Ray is currently on a cross-country tour promoting her new shape wear line.

Through the informative and intellectual conversation we held with Dr. Ray she makes it very clear that she attributes her current position to her gratitude to the universe, and also to God. She ends our conversation with, "don't put me in a box, I'll bling it out and leave." She refuses to be categorized by society’s stereotypical boxes and we hope she continues to push on and inspire more women like herself to step outside of their comfort zone, and walk out on faith. 

"Life is filled with road blocks in its pathway, but we cannot look at it as a stop sign. You have to maneuver around the blocks and keep moving forward. Perseverance and believing in yourself will put you in the room with the winners."-Dr. Denyse Hicks Ray

Dr. Denyse Hicks Ray

ladyeasesays@gmail.com

website:www.minudes.com