The Dynamic Duo: An Introduction to Ev Bravado and Téla D’Amore
Ev Bravado and Téla D’Amore are more than just collaborators—they are the soulmates of streetwear innovation, bringing together two creative universes to form a single compelling vision. Known for their work on the brand Who Decide War , these two artists have redefined what it means to tell stories through fashion. Their partnership is grounded in shared values of authenticity, cultural commentary, and craftsmanship, but their individual paths to prominence were distinctly shaped by experience, risk, and an unwavering commitment to purpose.
Ev Bravado, born Everard Best, began his career in fashion from humble beginnings. He gained attention through hand-distressed denim and custom-painted garments that combined the grit of the streets with the beauty of personal expression. What set Ev apart was not just the aesthetic but the emotional depth conveyed through every piece. His early work under the Murder Bravado label already hinted at his future potential—one defined by subversive designs, spiritual undertones, and intricate storytelling.
Téla D’Amore, both muse and designer in her own right, brings an emotional and artistic balance to the creative process. Her background in visual arts and spiritual symbolism is critical to the brand’s visual language. As creative director and co-founder, she ensures that each collection resonates not just stylistically but philosophically. Her influence is palpable in the brand’s incorporation of themes like redemption, suffering, beauty, and liberation—often drawn from personal and collective Black experiences.
Together, Bravado and D’Amore have built Who Decides War into a platform that challenges societal norms, critiques injustice, and elevates streetwear into an artistic and cultural movement. Their collaborative synergy has placed them at the forefront of not only fashion design but also a new era of fashion activism.
From Side Hustles to High Fashion: The Journey to Who Decides War
The path to launching Who Decides War wasn’t paved with privilege—it was etched in resilience. Before becoming a fixture on runways and in high fashion circles, Ev Bravado was handcrafting jeans in his family home, customizing denim with bleach, paint, and distressing techniques that gained traction on Instagram. What started as a DIY operation soon turned into a word-of-mouth success, capturing the attention of fellow artists, musicians, and eventually, fashion insiders.
Téla D’Amore entered the fashion world with a vision that extended beyond aesthetics. Her contribution wasn’t merely in garment design but in conceptual narrative building. She approached each collection like a canvas, using spiritual and historical motifs to explore themes often overlooked in traditional streetwear—especially those pertaining to Black identity, gender, trauma, and freedom.
The duo launched Who Decides War in 2019, a name deliberately chosen to provoke questions and stir political thought. The brand quickly rose through the ranks due to its compelling storytelling and unconventional use of denim. Each piece became a statement—layered with embroidery, hand-painted symbolism, and spiritually-charged iconography. Their designs often reflected religious art, war, colonialism, and social movements, making them not only garments but wearable protests.
The brand’s early collections, including “Trial by Fire” and “One Nation Under God,” solidified their unique position in the industry. These weren’t just seasonal drops—they were ideological manifestos. The craftsmanship was meticulous, and the garments often took months to complete. This attention to detail resonated deeply with an audience looking for more than just fashion—people were seeking truth, raw emotion, and resistance. And Bravado and D’Amore delivered exactly that.
Their success didn’t come overnight, but their dedication to their roots and mission made them one of the most respected design duos in streetwear and beyond.
Philosophy Over Hype: The Core Ideals of Bravado and D’Amore
While the fashion world is often driven by trends and commercial cycles, Bravado and D’Amore have chosen a more intentional path. Their philosophy centers around creating fashion that holds meaning—both personally and culturally. For them, clothing is a spiritual medium, a vessel for exploring the intersection of identity, pain, joy, and revolution.
One of their core beliefs is that fashion should confront as much as it comforts. This is evident in their use of religious and war-like symbolism. By incorporating angelic figures, crosses, and references to spiritual warfare, their pieces often suggest a battle for morality and purpose in a world plagued by injustice. The garments challenge wearers to think deeper about the systems they exist within, and their role in either upholding or dismantling them.
Another central tenet of their philosophy is community. Who Decides War doesn’t just speak to the culture—it comes from the culture. Bravado and D’Amore frequently spotlight Black artistry, labor, and innovation. They hire Black creatives, uplift underrepresented voices, and ensure that their work reflects their community’s lived experience. Rather than chasing commercial clout, they build lasting impact by staying rooted in their truth.
Their collections are also deeply introspective. Téla often brings in emotional vulnerability and feminine perspectives, which complements Ev’s structured, battle-ready aesthetic. This duality—softness and strength, elegance and edge—is what makes their work resonate with such depth. They refuse to dilute their message for mass appeal, even if it means slower growth or exclusion from certain industry circles.
For Bravado and D’Amore, the philosophy is clear: fashion is resistance, and art is activism. They aren’t just creating clothing—they’re building a legacy of cultural introspection and revolution.
Spirituality and Symbolism: Rewriting the Language of Denim
Perhaps the most defining characteristic of Bravado and D’Amore’s work is their use of denim as a spiritual and symbolic fabric. In their hands, denim transforms from a workwear staple into a sacred canvas. Their garments are often adorned with intricate embroidery, gothic fonts, religious iconography, and powerful hand-painted visuals. These elements are never random—they’re layered with meaning that speaks to history, Blackness, healing, and resistance.
Ev’s signature style includes heavily distressed and stitched denim, representing not destruction but endurance. The tears in the fabric mirror societal wounds—wounds that can’t be ignored or smoothed over. Instead of discarding the broken, they amplify it. Each fray and rip becomes part of a larger narrative of struggle and survival. This raw, unapologetic approach resonates with audiences who see themselves reflected in these imperfections.
Téla’s touch brings an ethereal softness. She brings symbolism drawn from divine feminine energy, Black spirituality, ancestral connection, and emotional resilience. Her influence can be seen in the brand’s storytelling, often referencing generational trauma and transcendence. The fusion of her sensibility with Bravado’s rugged artistry results in collections that are emotionally textured and spiritually charged.
In a world where fashion is often reduced to surface-level style, Bravado and D’Amore have rewritten the language of what clothes can mean. They’ve shown that denim can preach, scream, mourn, and heal. Their work urges us to see fashion not as consumption, but as a meditation—a reflection of who we are and what we fight for.
Cultural Impact and Industry Disruption: Beyond the Runway
Bravado and D’Amore have not only created a niche—they’ve shifted the paradigm. In an industry long dominated by Eurocentric standards and profit-driven aesthetics, their approach is radical. They don’t cater to the system; they disrupt it. Their collections regularly feature political messages, and they use their platforms to speak on race, capitalism, mental health, and spirituality. Each show, each drop, each post is laced with intention.
Their presence has reinvigorated New York Fashion Week, bringing back a sense of soul and sincerity that had long been missing. Their 2021 collection staged in a Brooklyn church was a spiritual homecoming, blurring the lines between fashion show and religious experience. Audiences weren’t just there to see clothes—they came to be moved, to feel, to remember.
They’ve also redefined what success looks like. Bravado and D’Amore measure impact not by sales or followers but by influence and integrity. Their influence can be seen in a new generation of designers who are now using fashion to speak on identity and justice. From independent creators on Instagram to stylists working with top-tier rappers, Who Decides War has become a blueprint. https://whodecideswars.com/
They’ve collaborated with industry heavyweights like Virgil Abloh and Heron Preston, gaining the respect of fashion’s inner circles while remaining true to their ethos. Yet, they never let acclaim dilute their message. Even as celebrities and stylists clamor for their pieces, they’ve refused to mass-produce or compromise on their slow-fashion values.
This disruption is intentional. Bravado and D’Amore aren’t here to fit in—they’re here to rebuild. They’ve created a new table, and instead of gatekeeping, they’re inviting others to sit, speak, and be seen.
