California's LGBTQ Media Source! * PRINT * DIGITAL * WEB * SOCIAL MEDIA * EVENTS *

Daniel Sheehan – From Passion to Fashion

By Alexander Rodriguez

Daniel Sheehan is a contradiction in terms.  His steely blue eyes, pale skin, and even his name belie his Puerto Rican heritage; his thick, vintage jeans, impeccably cut waistcoat, oversized silver buckle, and tight ringer tee exude straight masculinity that resembles a fashionable welder from the 1930s when in reality, he would be just as comfortable in a boa singing Donna Summer.   Behind this hunky Daddy image is a gentle giant who is currently using his small business resources, even in the time of COVID, to help the surrounding community…with a little help from one of our favorite pop stars, eight-time #1 Billboard charting musician, Luciana. 

Backed by over 20 years in the fashion industry, he launched his namesake brand, Sheehan & Co., in Los Angeles in 2016, which quickly achieved international recognition. The vintage-inspired line boasts a curated selection of men’s made to measure, ready-to-wear, and accessories, all proudly designed and produced in Los Angeles. The collection is inspired by Sheehan’s lifelong love affair with early Americana and his twenty years working in the fashion industry.   His line can be described as rugged vintage, a little steampunk, and a little diva.  From t-shirts with sassy slogans, to pinstripe blazers and high waisted trousers, it’s a brand that’s immediately recognizable. 

As the pandemic crisis grew, he was forced to close the manufacturing side of his company, determined to continue the brand so that his staff could one day return.  Working by himself, by hand, he became the one-man show screen printing and designing his tees, cutting fabrics, boxing products, and keeping up customer service – around the clock.  In an exhausted frenzy and true Sheehan personality form, he decided to flip off the pandemic in a way and designed a series of tongue in cheek t-shirts with slogans like Wash Your F*cking Hands, Virus Suck It, Back the F Up I’m Social Distancing, and the more somber Alone Never Lonely.  The shirts were a hit and he couldn’t fill orders fast enough.  With the uptick in business, he was optimistic that he could return to business and bring back his staff.  He was also adamant that sales should benefit the local community on some level.  He partnered with West Side Food Bank, an organization that provides food services to over 70 local organizations (including LGBT and other minority groups), with a portion of the proceeds literally putting food on the table for those in need, while keeping his business afloat. 

He knew that with a little star power, we could even go further.  He called up his friend, Luciana (I Like That, I’m Still Hot), who, even while launching a new website and releasing new music, joined forces and put together an expanded fashion line geared directly for the pandemic.  With vibrant colors and signature sayings, they have put together tees, masks, and more, to keep you chic and energized, from stay home couture, to check the mailbox outfits, to social distance on the beach looks.  The “Luciana for Sheehan” campaign has already provided thousands of meals to the So Cal community. 

I sat with Daniel to chat about his career, Luciana, and the homophobia that can still exist in the fashion world:

When was the first moment that fashion inspired you in your life? 

The very first moment that I was inspired was by a one-piece velour jumpsuit that my mother got for me at Sears…. It had Tigger, from Winnie the Poo embroidery on it.  I LOVED IT.

How did you get into the industry?

I fell into the industry.  I was studying at NYU and I needed to work full-time…. I would answer phones for a temporary employment agency and by chance got a gig answering phones for a corporation in NYC that owned Perry Ellis.  This was while Marc Jacobs was there so there was a lot of stuff happening…I caught the bug… I was home and I never wanted to leave.

Your line of clothing is unique to the market, did you have any trepidation about not conforming to a mainstream style?

Ahhhh. That was the whole point! My brand is about relevance in the irreverent. Breaking the cliché, being who you are no matter what…. That is why the “Tall, Silver, and Handsome” shirt means so much to me. I wanted to combine classic menswear with the gold irreverence of owning yourself at any age, which is unique for menswear.

Have you ever dealt with homophobia in your industry?

Yes, I have, and it disappoints me.  While I cannot talk in specifics of my journey I would advise young gay professionals to be careful, even in what we believe to be the safety net of the fashion world; we have no title7 protection in many states like Georgia, where it is legal to be discriminated on based on sexual orientation… SCARY…The battle is not over.

Most small businesses are suffering quite badly during this pandemic.  You are using your small business to help others, what inspired you to do this?

I am on the front lines of this battle.  I live and work in an immigrant neighborhood in East Hollywood.  You can see how devastating that closure of our economy is…. I had to do something. That’s what we are supposed to do as Americans right?

Explain how one shirt can provide 40 meals?

The West Side Food Bank has wholesale buying power!  They buy in bulk and supply organizations like God’s Love We Deliver, Meals on Wheels, US Veteran programs, LBGTQ youth, you name it.  One dollar can buy a powerful amount when used in bulk.  Average purchase from me generates about a $10 donation.  So, the math is simple 1 shirt $10, 4 meals per 1$, 40 MEALS!

What is it like to collaborate with Luciana?

SUNSHINE, LOVE, LIFE, and all with a techno beat!  She is amazing and kind…Luciana brings you to life, what I think I like most about Luciana is her ability to make you forget about all the bad things that are going on and she makes you laugh, sing, and smile so hard your face hurts…. I love her… or as she would say, “Holy Shit, I F**king Love You,” in an East London Cockney accent.

Why are you still single? 

OMG you tell me!? He is out there!!!  Help me find him, Alexander!

Check out Daniel and his line of clothing at www.DanielSheehan.co

Follow him on Instagram: @DanielSheehanOfficial

Check out his full interview with Luciana at www.OntheRocksRadioShow.com

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.