Dan P. LEE

The Man Behind The PLOTTWST

Here at Substantial we believe in full circle moments and that’s exactly what we had when we got the chance to catch up with the rural NC native Dan P. Lee who’s showing the big city just how Substantial he is.

Dan P. Lee was featured in our 2014 issue of Substantial as a young rising entrepreneur and stylists hitting the Eastern NC scene. That’s right over seven years ago we had the opportunity to chop it up with this young ambitious brother that knew then just how considerably important in size and worth he was and as you read this current feature and listen to our All Things Substantial podcast you’ll also note that he knew then he was also Substantially built and made.

SM: Tell our readers a little about the origin story of Dan P. Lee.

DPL: I’m a fashion stylist currently living in the New York area. I specialize in menswear styling for all realms of entertainment ranging from editorials, look books, music videos, live performances, red carpet appearances, etc.

I’m originally from Elizabeth City, NC. The 252, you know! I left Elizabeth City and went off to college at East Carolina University and that’s where I met you (Greg) and was introduced to Substantial. In fact, talking about full circle moments I remember you giving me the creative freedom during my photoshoot and you gave me the freedom to direct the other features that were in that young and Substantial highlight.

Really thinking back on it I remember going to the Substantial Awards and being in that environment. Honestly it was those moments that I believe helped prepare me for the moments I’m experiencing now. Being on the red carpet and having photographers taking pictures, etc. back then gave me the opportunity to experience it and now it’s just scaling. I’m just thankful for the platform that you shared with me at a young age and you gave a young creative a chance and a voice when there weren’t a lot of opportunities in the South, especially Eastern NC.

SM: What made you pick up and say I’m about to take this chance as a stylist in New York?

DPL: So the journey has been very beautiful but you know I’ll never sugarcoat it, it’s also been some hard unknown moments. I graduated one day and literally moved to New York the next. I moved not having a job but knowing if I could just get an opportunity or a chance to talk and network with different people my time would come.

SM: WOW, talk about faith. You just described what it means to have it and walk in it. Stepping out there and going from Elizabeth City to Greenville to New York and I need our readers to understand when Dan P. stepped out there and made that move it wasn’t like there were things lined up, it was more like “yo we’re going to go out here and we’re going to make something happen. We’re going to seize a moment.”

Talk to me about some of the highlights of the career thus far.

DPL: So I really gained my start at the top of 2016. I’ve been able to be play a part in various projects with companies such as Elle, ESPN Magazine, Sports Illustrated, At Large, Icon Magazine, L’Officiel magazine, Atlantic Records, 300 Entertainment, and Island Records.

A highlight for me honestly if I had to choose one, which is hard, would have to be attending my first Grammys. It was an aha moment. I mean I’ve had the chance to work alongside my mentor who styled Mary J. Blige and some other really big names and those were some big aha moments too, but it was something about that first Grammy Awards and getting to be backstage and see all the people I grew up watching on TV. It was surreal.

Read the full interview and catch the "All Things Substantial" podcast interview with Dan P. Lee. Wearesubstantial.com