BACKSTORY // Founded in the summer of 2012 during Hampton University’s PERL summer program, Somniis (Soom-Niece) was created amongst college friends to solve the missing space of “good” fitting denim and graphic t-shirts on a college campus. The label’s initial goal was to create the perfect fitting jean with the most elegant graphic t-shirts. Our Creative Director had a vision that had been itching to be scratched for years to come, stemming back to high school days. The initial release of Somniis was curated on the back of it’s “Good Could Be Better” long sleeve jersey’s which sold out in a week of it’s release on campus. Stanton along with a few college friends began to drift into their respective majors, encouraging Stanton to carry the Label’s “torch”. The Label’s identity grew as our director’s knowledge and confidence in self grew. With time, Somniis took the identity of curating beautiful clothing that would be a platform to express the knowledge of who Jesus Christ is. Our Brand motivation will always stem from this message, as it is the corner stone of who we are. Characterized by love, beauty and versatility, Somniis looks to provide clothing to the wearer that is bold and elegant.
Stanton Jordan Portrait // Shot By // Stephanie Ridley
Stanton Ridley // Designer // Creative Director
The basis of Somniis (plural form of the Latin word meaning “Dreams”) is to give God the glory for all endeavors and journeys that are taken through life. With a forever growing relationship in Christ, Stanton strives to implement and display who Christ is through the areas of art, design and communication. Personally, Stanton’s meaning of “Somniis” stems from 2 Timothy 3:16-17, which states “ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” This reminds our Creative Director that all inspiration comes from Christ. The fact that Stanton has a vision to design is not random or exploratory but a purposeful gift from God. This gift is used to tell people about Christ and show them who He is through design, art and communication. Stanton uses God’s example of creation found in Genesis 1 to carry the torch: Design, see that it is good, rest and take care of the creativity. With this concept, Somniis in laymen terms means Inspiration from Christ.
For Stanton, design was a realization that occurred overtime. His roots in this arena stem back to the New York culture of “sneaker heads”, “get-lite” dancing, graffiti, reggae, jazz music, actors such as Sidney Portier, suiting, Manhattan, and the various realms that characterize New York City. His artistic exposure has always been near as his parents were both artists, his siblings encompassing the same artistic qualities through; music, science and dance, and many friends who live in creative spaces. Stanton’s development into fashion was completely organic as he began sewing as a need to create better fitting pants. The need allowed our Creative Director to not only solve this problem but push the limit of where sewing and design could possibly go. Now as an Electrical Engineer from Hampton University and Parson’s School of Design Graduate, his curiosity has bloomed into expanded areas such as tech fashion, architecture, social stability (designing to relieve concerns in mental and physical health), economics, and even biology. For Stanton, Somniis will not only design fashion but will strive to bring harmonic solutions to these various real world issues.