Psalms 37:37: For the one who promotes peace has a future.

This verse gave him the confidence to launch his clothing brand at the age of 16.

Senior Christian David runs his own clothing brand, Pau, in which he designs custom pieces. Christian began his business his sophomore year after a trip to L.A., where he saw diverse aesthetics and styles, driven by his passion toward the intersection of fashion and his Christian faith.

“I’ve always been geared [toward] fashion,” Christian said. “I’ve always been [interested] in the hype beast culture —Yeezy, Supreme, Off-White —the designs of these big brands inspired me to draw my own designs. The [diversity] of fashion trends and [streetwear] [gave me] the idea of starting my own clothing line.”

Christian’s family, including his older brother Rusty David, introduced Christian to several aspects of fashion. Rusty’s relationship with Christian grew by sharing new styles and fashion trends since Christian was 8. Rusty helped Christian launch merchandise throughout the years. 

“I’m proud of [Christian] and what he has done with his passion,” Rusty said. “Pau is more than just a clothing company. It gives you a message about peace, love and faith — three things that my family and I live by and want to share with the world.”

Unlike other clothing businesses that resell or recycle vintage clothes, Pau is about originality. Christian researched the design process, found vendors who could ship materials from Japan, and began pattern drafting to create each piece from scratch. 

“It’s all about creating something fresh, not just reselling,” Christian said. “I [want] to learn how clothes are actually made, [as] opposed to [slapping] design[s] on t-shirts. I’m in it to make an impact — not just for myself, but for the world.”

The message behind Christian’s clothing plays a significant role in his brand, with his faith continuing to guide his design process after his first drop sold out within hours.

“Faith is my cornerstone — God blessed me with so much talent [and] creativity to provide for the world,” Christian said. “[My] purpose lies in serving others; clothes gave me the direction to do that.”

Christian said he credits much of his success to his friend, senior Ishan Abraham, who helps market and advertise his brand. 

“Christian’s motivation for fashion is inspiring,” Abraham said. “He doesn’t care about the money — it’s all his passion. Whenever I’m [marketing] for the business, it never feels like work — it’s fun. His attention to detail has taught me a lot about giving 100% in everything I do.”

During his senior year, Christian graduated a semester early to prioritize other parts of his life while still working on his business — just on a bit of a smaller scale. This allowed him to research more about fashion design and understand himself. 

“It’s easy to get burned out, especially in creative work,” Christian said. “Finding the balance and patience is important — without them, [you risk producing] something that isn’t meaningful in the long run.”

Christian plans to pursue a career in fashion design in the future. He said he hopes to make Pau a recognizable brand that people admire.

“One of my goals is to win the Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH) prize,” Christian said. “They’re the head of luxury fashion that funds and provides exposure to [specific] brands. This would help spread the message to push for a more inclusive and constructive community when it comes to high fashion which is often [overlooked].” 

Most of Christian’s sales come from his friends and students at the school. He said he hopes his brand is accessible and affordable.

“Fashion needs to be inclusive,” Christian said. “When I see people wearing my [work] and genuinely liking them, that’s the most rewarding part for me. It shows that the community appreciates my work and [that] keeps me moving forward.”

Christian said Pau advocates for self-expression by helping individuals discover inner peace through clothing that creates confidence, authenticity and a sense of purpose. Christian said he is determined to inspire others and spread positivity as he expresses his faith and peace through fashion. 

“The root of all design comes from our experiences,” Christian said. “The brand is an extension to [who I am] and how my experiences tie into my [brand.] I want to tell a story through my [work] that others could appreciate.”