Meet our founder and lead designer
At Anchor & Air Collections, every experience begins with intention… and a story rooted in resilience, purpose, and transformation.
Founded by Deonda Gardner, a veteran, creative visionary, and natural host, Anchor & Air was not born from overnight success—but from years of passion, persistence, and an unwavering ability to create beauty in every moment.
For a long time, Deonda identified as a serial entrepreneur—driven, talented, and full of ideas—but still searching for the one thing that would truly take flight. While traditional business success remained just out of reach, one thing was always certain:
She had a gift.
A gift for bringing people together.
A gift for creating joy.
A gift for transforming ordinary moments into unforgettable experiences.
Without being asked, she became the one people relied on.
She planned the baby showers.
She coordinated the weddings.
She sourced the venues, curated the décor, secured the catering, and managed every detail in between.
And every time—without fail—people left feeling something deeper than satisfaction.
They felt seen.
They felt celebrated.
They felt joy.
But the true turning point came during one of the most unexpected seasons of her life.
In the midst of grief, Deonda made a powerful decision—to create a celebration anyway.
And in that moment, something extraordinary happened.
Even through pain, people still experienced beauty.
Still found connection.
Still felt uplifted.
That was the moment everything shifted.
That was the moment Deonda realized her work was never just about events…
It was about experience.
It was about emotion.
It was about impact.
From that clarity, Anchor & Air Collections was born.