SAN ANTONIO — Mixing denim, leather and textiles gives designer Javier Trevino his creative edge.
Eight years ago while working in the medical industry in Los Angeles, Trevino found a his way back to his passion.
"Living over by the water and being in the city of Los Angeles really inspired me with all the clothes, the colors, the weather, the music, " Divide & Conquer, Denim & Leather owner, Javier Trevino said. "It got me back into that world of fashion and I didn't know I was going to go back into it."
Trevino studied design at The University of Incarnate Word, but it was his previous work in the restaurant industry that got him sewing again.
"Being in that world of customer service, of the restaurant industry I realized there was something missing in the uniform when it came to apron," Trevino said.
He began mixing leathers and denims to create a more eye-catching look.
"Leather is dreamy and there's something about it why it's been around for such a long time," Trevino said.
Finding joy in cutting every piece of leather.
"There was nothing like making your own shirts or your own chef's shirts," Trevino said. "That's what got me that high to go further."
Once back in San Antonio he chose to also focus on his men's clothing line and the guayabera.
"Guayaberas have always been a part of my life because it inspired me from my grandfather, to the colors, to the music that inspired me to make the designs that we do," Trevino said. "That will always be a part of my life."
These days Trevino has stepped away from the sewing machine to focus on the designs and the raw materials.
"Right now we are working on designing our own textiles making our own cottons our own silks," Trevino said.
Ensuring his creative control on every aspect of his business.
"It took some time to get where we are at," Trevino said. But I'm extremely thankful because without having a boss, allowing me to grow at my pace, I think that's what true success is."