VCN Clothing Brings a Local Bent to Streetwear

“Why am I wearing other people’s stuff when I can just make my own?”

That was the realization that hit Cleveland native Davon Dumetz when he was a student at Kent State University studying athletic training. He was cutting hair to supplement his income and digging into fashion, gaining more visibility on campus.

Years later, it’s what’s become VCN Clothing, his line that includes baseball tees, tracksuits and windbreakers, and will soon expand into accessories such as bookbags and leather belts, products that Dumetz says will be more high-end. This past July, he opened his flagship store on Cedar Road, offering affordable, luxury streetwear.

VCN – an acronym for vision, create and network – is based on what Dumetz believes is the formula that leads to success.

“Vision, create and network is the basis for anybody to become successful,” Dumetz told Scene. “No matter what background you come from or what industry [you] plan on being in. You visualize the idea, you execute the idea, and then you network to expand the brand.”

Dumetz’s early interest in fashion was influenced by his mother’s efforts to provide decent clothes for him and his family. He then taught himself everything about creating a business and starting his own clothing line. And he leaned on his family for inspiration for his line.

His grandmother unexpectedly passed away in 2017. In honor of her, VCN’s main logo is an elephant, which was her favorite animal because they symbolize wisdom. Dumetz wanted to turn a negative situation into something positive.

“I’m trying to be a more luxury type of streetwear [brand],” says Dumetz. “When you put certain embroideries, designs and patches [on the clothing], you can kind of give it a more luxurious feel.”

Dumetz has used social media to help expand the brand. VCN Clothing went viral on TikTok after Dumetz held an impromptu giveaway at Garfield Heights High School, which received over 1 million views on TikTok and led to an influx of followers across social media platforms.

Down the road, Dumetz hopes to expand VCN with stores across the country in cities like Houston, Atlanta and New York, continuing to offer affordable high-end items.

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