Today we’d like to introduce you to Earnest Diaz. They and their team shared their story with us below:
From Runways to Soundwaves: Hon. D. F. A. Earnest’s Artistic Legacy
Hon. D. F. A. Earnest Diaz is a true force to be reckoned with in the world of creative arts. With an extensive repertoire that spans multiple industries, including fashion, writing, film, television, and music, Earnest has left an indelible mark on the world of fine arts.
From an early age, Earnest showed an undeniable passion and natural talent for fashion design.
Over the years, he has worked with A-list celebrities and major corporations and even designed a full collection for life on Mars, making history as the only fashion designer to do so.
In addition to his exceptional work in fashion design, Earnest has also made remarkable contributions to music production and songwriting, including creating dance songs for two artists. His book, Unity, will make a significant impact on the LGBT community, and his award-winning book, Thankful, has inspired readers.
Earnest has designed costumes for various productions in film and television and has collaborated with renowned celebrities and artists, making significant strides throughout his career. His animated music video, Let Them Eat Cake, has earned an impressive 95 Awards and Accolades across six continents, cementing his status as a visionary in the world of fine arts.
Earnest’s accomplishments and achievements are numerous and impressive, but what truly sets him apart is his unwavering determination to overcome personal struggles and challenges. Through his passion for creativity and his ability to inspire and uplift others, Hon. D. F. A. Earnest Diaz has truly made his mark in the world of fine arts.
The Early Passion and Career of a Fashion Design Legend
Hon. D. F. A. Earnest Diaz’s career in design began at the tender age of five when he watched his mother sew clothing for him. This sparked a love for the craft and the creative opportunities it presented. Earnest’s extraordinary imagination and deep knowledge of fashion allowed him to work with A-list celebrities and corporations, bringing their ideas to life and taking them to new heights.
Throughout his career, Earnest has worked with a variety of clothing, including business attire, wedding dresses, tuxedos, evening attire, as well as casual, Avant-grade, and western attire. But perhaps his most remarkable accomplishment was when he designed the first-ever full collection of clothing for life on Mars, exhibited at the Fifth Annual Meeting of the Mars Society in Boulder, Colorado in 2002. The collection featured daywear, nightwear, evening wear, children’s clothing, and even Mars outfits for pets. Earnest’s creativity and unique approach to fashion design earned him a reputation as a designer who is not afraid to take risks and push boundaries. His experience in working with different forms of clothing opened doors for him to work in film, stage, and television, designing costumes for magicians, commercials, and reality shows, as well as the silver screen. Through his work, Earnest has become a legend in the fashion industry, inspiring others to dream big and think outside the box.
From Fashion to Music: Exploring Earnest’s Versatile Creativity
After years of success in fashion design, Hon. D. F. A. Earnest found new ways to express his creativity through music and writing. He began his venture into music production and songwriting in the mid-2000s, co-producing two dance songs for artists.
In 2015, Earnest made a significant contribution to the LGBT community by creating “Unity: New Traditions for LGBT Nuptials.” The book offers a fresh take on wedding ceremonies, respecting the traditions of the past while incorporating new ideas for the present and future. Earnest’s vision for Unity began in 1982, inspired by his own experiences as a member of the LGBT community, and it has since become a beacon of hope for those seeking an inclusive celebration of love. When speaking with a documentary director for Unity, Earnest decided to compose and produce one song per chapter of Unity for the Unity soundtrack. Debut title: “Let Them Eat Cake (Chapter 18)”/Let Them Eat Cake (Official Video).
In 2016, Earnest’s first book, “Thankful,” received the prestigious International Publisher Award (IPA) for Best Inspirational Book of the Year. The short semi-autobiographical work chronicles his journey through loss and depression and how he used writing as a means of overcoming his struggles. The book’s impact led to the creation of a screenplay based on its story, which has earned two Best Screenplay Awards at the Havelock International Film Festival and Golden Peacock International Film Festival. Earnest’s ability to translate his own experiences into inspiring stories through both books and film speaks to his versatile talent and passion for creative expression.
Earnest’s talent for writing continued to flourish, and in 2022 he announced the release of “Beauty and Grooming,” the second installment in the Unity series. With each publication, Earnest’s unique voice continues to inspire and uplift readers around the world.
Blending Soundwaves and AI
“Beauty and Grooming (Chapter 9)” from the highly anticipated sophomore release, due out on August 5th, reflects the ninth chapter of “Unity – New Traditions for LGBT Nuptials.” A manuscript in which Earnest redesigns marriage ceremonies for LGBT couples. He collaborated with Anna, an AI creator, to incorporate hair and makeup preparations along with snippets of the ceremony and traditions into the music video. The official Unity Journal is scheduled for release on the same day.
Earnest: “I find it incredible that an idea I first had 41 years ago has evolved from me writing about it on paper, to my sketching numerous ideas over the years, to now having a computer make visuals to communicate some of my ideas for a global audience. Let Them Eat Cake (Chapter 18/Official Video), my debut song and music video, is inspired by a fictional couple I write about in that chapter and their love of sports. In “Beauty and Grooming (Chapter 9)”, people will get a glimpse of preparations for Unity along with clues of the nuptials and traditions. When I first saw it, it brought me to tears, I hope everyone adores it as much as I do”.
Collaborating with Celebrities
Earnest’s creativity and talent also extended to film and television, where he worked as a costume designer for various productions. He collaborated with a wide range of celebrities and artists, including Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis, Grammy-nominated vocalist Tamar Davis, painter Jumper Maybach, and Jonathan Sandys (Sir Winston Churchill’s Great Grandson).
One of Earnest’s most notable achievements in the film and music industry was his success in creating the animated music video “Let Them Eat Cake.” The music video was an international sensation, winning 95 decorations across six continents, and is hailed as the best-animated sports music videos ever made.
Earnest’s ability to combine his creative vision and passion for various forms of art is evident in his work across industries. His unique approach to design and his innovative ideas have earned him a reputation as a visionary artist.
Forever Inspired: Hon. D. F. A. Earnest’s Creative Legacy
As a true Renaissance man, Earnest has proven time and time again that he can master any creative endeavor he sets his mind to. His Mars collection, Unity book, and Let Them Eat Cake animated music video are just a few examples of his outstanding work.
Additionally, Earnest has been awarded six Honorary Doctorates of Fine Arts in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the arts and his impact on the creative industry.
Hon. D. F. A. Earnest’s legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire and influence future generations of artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs. His commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible, and his tireless pursuit of excellence serves as a reminder that anything is possible with hard work, dedication, and passion.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It all started with the childhood accident. At the age of 5, I fell out of a tree and hit the root of the tree face-first. It broke my right orbital bone and nose. While recovery at home, I begin thumbing through various magazines my mother had in the living room. Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, Good house Keeping, and of course Highlights for children.
In my boredom, I watch mother sewing. I remember feeling the hum of the sewing machine on the bottom of my chin as I held onto the edge of table, watching the needle and thread going through the fabric.
By 12, I began sketching designs; I got ridiculed all the time by some family members, some kids in the neighborhood and at school. I never let their words stop me. This is the same time I began to realize heterosexual couples marry when in love. And I wondered what it would be like for a person like me. I wondered what I would wear, what would he wear, how would I want the chapel setup, would I even want a chapel setup. This is when I also began designing Unity.
During my high school years, my home economics teacher allowed me to showcase new designs in her classroom weekly. Those designs consist of matching prom outfits. Dress and tuxedo in various designs and fabrics.
As time went on, I lived through an abusive relationship, people (so-called friends) talking behind my back and laughing at me for pushing myself to achieve what many dream of. Friends and lovers have come and gone, but I never feared or complained about the countless hours and hard work it takes to achieve these goals and dreams.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
The work.
I am first and foremost a Fashion Designer. I began sewing at the age of 5 and designed at the age of 12. My first major design client was Olympic Gold Medalist Carl Lewis. I’ve gone on to design for nonprofits, major cooperations, to Magicians. Which lead to Weddings, Reality shows, a multiple-time awarded kids’ tv show, movie, music video, underwater gear, to surveillance gear, Underwear line – Sk’n – The Uninhibited Pleasure for men, to a collection for life on Mars.
In 2004 while designing and showcasing an Avant Gard collection for a Houston designer, I lost a few family members and friends. This brought me to writing. The first award-winning book. I say first with the hopes my new work will win also. By 2006 Thankful was published. It was the summer of 2006 I was approached by a high school friend who happens to be an alternative entertainer. He asked me to write songs for an album for him.
G-licious-G: “Hey…. You just wrote a book and had it published. Since you can write, write me some lyrics for an album”.
Me: “I don’t think that’s how it works, but I’ll give it a shot.
That’s when NSA was born. NSA= (Nocturnal Sexual Addiction).
A second artist approached me, and I wrote and Co-produced the song “Sk’n” The Uninhibited Pleasure.
Shortly after, I met with a manager that introduced me to the reality tv, stage, and royal wedding clients.
The royal wedding client was Jonathan Sandys (Winston Churchill’s Great grandson) he went on to wear pieces I designed for him at the Royal Wedding of Kate and William.
Reality Tv: Lost Survivors and ETU (Elite Tactical Unit).
I was introduced to and began working with Jumper Maybach. I designed Tuxedos, Vests, Tee Shirts, anything and everything. Many pieces were made into the “Jumper Maybach Story”.
2015 is when it all came to light. One idea I started working on in 1982 would finally come to light. As the Supreme Court ruled, allowing the homosexual community to legally wed. I sat and wrote the manuscript “Unity – New Traditions for LGBT Nuptials.” I completed it within four months. I did sign on with a literary agent but let the contract end. It didn’t feel like the perfect home for the manuscript.
Thinking outside of the box, I decided a documentary would help me explain the history and concept and provide a visual for those that are not book readers. In this decision, I met with a documentary director, the topic of music came up, and the cost of using copyrighted music. Director’s suggestion: “I would say make the music yourself if you know how.”
Thus, I began composing music for the soundtrack. At first, I figured maybe 7-8 songs with a bit of silence during scenes would work. Then I decided why not make one song per chapter. 21 Chapters = 21 songs. So, the journey began. I had a few samples for the first artist that I never touched, so I brought those back to life. While making music for the Unity Soundtrack, I was designing and writing various ideas for a possible stage or film project for Thankful.
Pandemic hit. As fear crippled the United States, I reflected on meeting I had with various clients and their desired fabric choices and the various reason for their fabric decision. This made me dig into protective fabrics used in the medical field. What made them different? What structure or weave was used to provide protection for those professionals. My research led me to utilize a protective fabric that I was, in turn, use to make face masks for family, clients, and friends. As word spread about the masks I was making, the orders were rolling in.
The summer of 2020 is when I made the decision to debut the first song, “Let Them Eat Cake (Chapter 18)”. It aired on a few radio stations and made the top 10 chart. Shortly after that is when I discovered Film Freeway.
I was on the fence with the direction of the music video at first. Originally, I was going to hire dancers, with costumes I had designed, and the set with everything all over the top full on dance production. But then I thought, wait! A majority of Artist trying to get everyone’s attention do that. I asked myself, what would catch everyone’s attention that would be timeless? Something someone could see in 50 years, and it would look and sound like it was just created. So, I searched for an Animated filmmaker.
I gave him the directions, the colors I wanted to use, and the idea has become the world’s best-animated sports music video ever made and has received 95 Awards and Accolades across 6 continents.
As the decorations were announced, a young filmmaker Zoe Szymon of Greece approached me and asked if I would be willing to write a song for upcoming animated spy film. I accepted the offer and created Spy Z.0. The original has gone on to achieve 6 decorations.
With the release of Spy Z.0 / Spy Z.0 (Meta Groove)/Spy Z.0 (Meta Dance), I was awarded Music Composer of the Year for Fashion Art Media Magazine out of Aberdeen, Scotland.
By the end of 2022, something I never knew was possible for someone like me happened. A Film Festival connected to a Film school honored me with my first Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts. By April of 2023, I have received a total of 6 Honorary Doctorates for my contributions to television and film.
May 2023 brought the official nomination for LMA International Awards/Magazine’s Top 20 Men of 2023.
While all of this was going on, I began working on the second release of the Unity soundtrack. “Beauty and Grooming (Chapter 9)”. Set for release on my birth August 5th.
What sets me apart from others: As a Fashion Designer, Artist, Musician, Composer, Producer, etc.… Tenacity in the dream, dedication to self, and not wanting to disrespect the gifts God has blessed me with.
NFT collection available on Opensea. It focuses on the award-winning music video Let Them Eat Cake (Official Video). The link in: https://opensea.io/
What do you like and dislike about the city?
The food! Everything from Mama Ninfa’s to the small Mom and Pop Mexican restaurants. A relaxing Italian lunch on the water in Kingwood and, lest we forget, the good ole fashion Texas Barbecue.
Pricing:
- Bespoke clothing varies.
- Music (currently) 0.99
- Unity Journal (tentatively) 8.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.earnestdiaz.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/earnest_diaz?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Earnest-House-of-Diaz-Music/100030791186481/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Earnest_Diaz
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@EarnestDiaz
Image Credits
Chris Perez
