@denise

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Denise Chase-Danzey was deemed legally blind at age 5 and had to wear special glasses. She still loved to color and often made things different colors than what they were supposed to be. Her trees were purple instead of green and brown.

 

She was introduced to fashion design in 7th grade at Camp Curtain Jr. High School by taking a home economics class. Her first design was an apron, and her final design was a turquoise blue corduroy and black faux fur reversible car coat. She participated as a designer in fashion shows produced by Bernard Ballard and Larry Holland located in PA, VA & NJ.

 

Vivid colors, exquisite jewels, beading, and luxurious material inspired Denise. Often, she would be awakened by a thought, a spirit, a dream, or vision of a design. Denise would reenact the creation immediately before she lost the vision. Wearing special contacts, using a magnifier, and jewelry making tools, the masterpieces were born. Her collection consists of a wide variety of elements, which makes her talent stand out as unique, classy, creative, bold, and distinctive.

 

The wearable art that you will see on the Harlem Fashion Week Runway is by far her most creative designs. One of her featured creations is from her Pearl Heaven Collection. She developed the pearl top on an Excel spread sheet where the flowered design looks embroidered into the pattern. It can be worn as a wedding garment or worn on New Year’s Eve with a pair of black tuxedo pants.

 

In her later years, she developed glaucoma which has led to partial blindness. The Blind Association was instrumental in assisting with home therapy. Denise is a stroke and cancer survivor, is learning to live with MS and the heartache of losing both her daughter and husband to cancer. Despite being unable to create new jewelry and her health challenges, she continues to persevere.