Fab Man Of The Week: De'Von Christopher
Name: De’Von Christopher Occupation: Publisher of Bleu Magazine & Restaurant Owner Age: 30 something Status: Single Zodiac Sign: Leo
Ian Jarrell: So De’Von when did u decide to get into magazine publishing?
De’Von Christopher: Well the idea of starting my own magazine came around late 2005 I believe. I just wanted to try something different, and show people something different. There weren’t many magazines that interest me, so I just decided to create my own.
Ian Jarrell: What made you think, "I finally made it?"
De’Von Christopher: Not to sound cocky but I have always felt like I made it.
Ian Jarrell: (Laughs) So what made you think the magazine was going to be a success?
De’Von Christopher: Bleu’s first issue featured Kelis on the cover. So that was very big to me, and it kind of established the magazine. Kelis takes chances and so does Bleu, so she embodied the direction we were going in.
Ian Jarrell: What magazine do you look at as competition? There are a lot of men’s magazines out there.
De’Von Christopher: I choose to just focus on Bleu Magazine. I don’t really worry about the other mags. When you focus on other it will just affects your end product. I love what we produce over at Bleu, so I am content ya know.
Ian Jarrell: De’Von tell us what else do you do besides Bleu? I heard you do a few other things.
De’Von Christopher: Well I am also a club promoter; I throw a party every Friday in New York City. I also have my own restaurant in Harlem called Atomic Wings.
Ian Jarrell: So besides business, what do you do for fun?
De’Von Christopher: Business is fun to me (laughs). But to answer your questions, I love eating out, and hanging with friends and partying. I am also bi-coastal so I love to travel also. That is what I do for fun (laughs)
Ian Jarrell: After just hearing all of that, how is it possible to do all of that stuff?
De’Von Christopher: I’m not sane; most geniuses have been like me. No but seriously I really don’t know how I do it all. A lot of people around me think I am crazy, and maybe they are right. But hey they thought Jesus was crazy, not that I am comparing myself to Jesus or anything.
Ian Jarrell: Let’s take it back now, where did you grow up, and how was De’Von’s childhood?
De’Von Christopher: I grew up in a little town on Long island called Uniondale. My childhood was pretty cool. I received a great education. I was a boy scout and everything. My growing up was very All America, but I wasn’t sheltered or anything. I just had a very good upbringing.
Ian Jarrell: Out of all your jobs, what was your best and worst one? I heard you have been around the industry for a minute. You started in music correct?
De’Von Christopher: Yeah my first job right out of college was at Def Jam. They wanted someone right out of college and that was me. While over there I did work for a lot of artist like Jay-Z, Foxy Brown, just the whole roster until like 2002. Then I went over to Universal to work in advertising, I also help start Asylum Records. I was a communications major, so I was just eager to work in the industry, so we the opportunity presented itself, I just went for it. I really don’t think I had any bad experiences, but I will say I learned a lot of working at Def Jam. I learned a lot about the power of the brand. Once you are an established brand, you can produce anything you want.
Ian Jarrell: Now on a more fun note, if you had to choose a reality show to be on, which would it be?
De’Von Christopher: To be honest none of them. I would create my own.
Ian Jarrell: (Laughs) On your show would you be the boss and would people compete for a job. Or would the camera just follow your everyday life?
De’Von Christopher: The show would be all about me. I don’t see many black males like me on television, so I would love cameras to capture that.
Ian Jarrell: Who are some of your industry idols, and why?
I am going to have to go with Jay-Z because he made it with all the odds stacked up against him. He managed to take his street hustle to the corporate world, and that is not easy. I also admire business men like LA Reid and Tavis Smiley. They have stayed true to who they are.
Favorite Things….
Favorite Businessmen: Donald Trump
Favorite Restaurants in NYC: City Craft & China Grill
Favorite TV Shows: Brothers & Sisters and Lost
Favorite Reality TV shows: Real Housewives of New York & The Apprentice
Favorite Artists of Now: Lil’ Wayne & Brandy
Favorite Genre of Music: R&B
Favorite clubs in NYC: Home, Prime, and Guest House
Favorite Magazines: Black Enterprise & Vman
Ian Jarrell: Most publishers are bout money are you the same way?
De’Von Christopher: I am bout the brand and growth of the magazine. I am actively apart of everything that goes in Bleu. That’s from the size of front to how the Logo looks.
Ian Jarrell: Now weren’t you the Editor –In-Chief of Bleu Magazine. Are you still in that position or have you passed it on?
De’Von Christopher: Yeah I was EIC of the magazine. I passed it over once I felt I found the right person. Our new EIC is Lenox Mcgee
Ian Jarrell: Good answer man. Now tell are readers something most people don’t know about you?
De’Von Christopher: People really don’t that I am extremely shy...
Ian Jarrell: Please De’Von you are so not shy. I can’t believe that.
De’Von Christopher: No I actually am, I compensate for it by been so out spoken.
Ian Jarrell: Why should are readers be interested in you?
De’Von Christopher: Because I am interesting person (laughs). They better hook in now and take the ride. I have a lot of big things coming, know me now not later. (laughs)
Ian Jarrell: Okay well this was a very fun and entertaining interview. I really enjoyed speaking with you.
De’Von Christopher: Yeah it was cool, thanks.
Check out some past some past Bleu Magazine and previous ATF Fab Men Chavis Aaron, Bryan Taylor, and Miguel Perdomo who have appeared in Bleu Magazine below:
