1 00:00:00,880 --> 00:00:02,680 Speaker 1: I try not to look at the negative side of 2 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:06,480 Speaker 1: things at all. If you tell me that this person 3 00:00:06,519 --> 00:00:09,080 Speaker 1: can't do this, I'll show you someone I can. And 4 00:00:09,160 --> 00:00:12,760 Speaker 1: I really truly believe that has positioned me to be 5 00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:16,639 Speaker 1: where I am today. Honestly, I just I don't believe 6 00:00:16,680 --> 00:00:18,960 Speaker 1: in the negativity, especially when it comes to our community 7 00:00:18,960 --> 00:00:21,639 Speaker 1: and our culture. You know, we hear so much with 8 00:00:21,760 --> 00:00:24,280 Speaker 1: me working and pressed, I have a very critical eye 9 00:00:24,360 --> 00:00:26,320 Speaker 1: when I'm looking at the different stories that come out 10 00:00:26,360 --> 00:00:29,200 Speaker 1: and how they're ran. Yeah, I see what you're saying here, 11 00:00:29,240 --> 00:00:31,040 Speaker 1: but I know this group of people over here that 12 00:00:31,120 --> 00:00:34,160 Speaker 1: are doing what you're saying that they can't do. So 13 00:00:34,360 --> 00:00:36,720 Speaker 1: I just choose to see the positive side of things. 14 00:00:36,720 --> 00:00:39,920 Speaker 1: And when I do that, guess what, things just seem to. 15 00:00:39,920 --> 00:00:40,760 Speaker 2: Fall a place. 16 00:00:45,960 --> 00:00:48,440 Speaker 3: Here. Everybody, Welcome to another episode of butter Nomics. I 17 00:00:48,479 --> 00:00:50,760 Speaker 3: am your host, Brandon Butler, founder and CEO of Butter 18 00:00:50,840 --> 00:00:54,440 Speaker 3: atl and we have a very very special guest today 19 00:00:54,920 --> 00:00:57,680 Speaker 3: in the studio with us, the one the only Miss 20 00:00:57,760 --> 00:00:58,520 Speaker 3: Angela Watts. 21 00:00:58,600 --> 00:00:59,800 Speaker 2: Angela, how are you doing. 22 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:02,360 Speaker 4: I am doing well. Thank you Thank you for having me. 23 00:01:02,680 --> 00:01:05,399 Speaker 3: Good good, thank you for coming out now. You know 24 00:01:05,480 --> 00:01:07,319 Speaker 3: you're doing a lot of stuff out here in these streets. 25 00:01:07,319 --> 00:01:08,920 Speaker 2: Now, you know we didn't even see you out here 26 00:01:08,959 --> 00:01:09,520 Speaker 2: making some movies. 27 00:01:09,560 --> 00:01:10,160 Speaker 4: Are you watching? 28 00:01:11,080 --> 00:01:13,240 Speaker 2: You best believe I'm watching. You know the moves you've 29 00:01:13,280 --> 00:01:13,960 Speaker 2: been making. 30 00:01:14,920 --> 00:01:17,440 Speaker 3: And you know you've you've you've built this thing Atlanta 31 00:01:17,440 --> 00:01:20,720 Speaker 3: Fashion Week into really was kind of becoming a new, 32 00:01:20,920 --> 00:01:23,240 Speaker 3: you know, cultural stable for the city. And we don't 33 00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:25,600 Speaker 3: get into that, but real quick though, you started in tech. 34 00:01:25,720 --> 00:01:26,200 Speaker 4: Yes I did. 35 00:01:26,280 --> 00:01:28,559 Speaker 3: How did you end up going from tech to running 36 00:01:28,680 --> 00:01:30,319 Speaker 3: you know, the biggest fashion week in Atlanta? 37 00:01:30,920 --> 00:01:34,039 Speaker 1: Well, when I was in college, I started. I went 38 00:01:34,040 --> 00:01:39,319 Speaker 1: to Fort Valley State and my initial degree that I 39 00:01:39,360 --> 00:01:41,680 Speaker 1: signed up for you, obviously, you have to identify that 40 00:01:41,800 --> 00:01:45,000 Speaker 1: right once you get into school was to become a 41 00:01:45,280 --> 00:01:51,440 Speaker 1: computer information technology specialist. Eventually, I left Fort Valley and 42 00:01:51,520 --> 00:01:57,800 Speaker 1: transferred to Georgia State due to personal reasons and some 43 00:01:57,840 --> 00:02:01,680 Speaker 1: situations that happen on campus, unfortunate for a friend of ours, 44 00:02:01,720 --> 00:02:06,160 Speaker 1: right of mine, and I ended up getting a job 45 00:02:06,200 --> 00:02:09,800 Speaker 1: at this place called TRX. Initially, when I got that position, 46 00:02:10,600 --> 00:02:12,919 Speaker 1: which I knew it was had something to do with tech, 47 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:16,600 Speaker 1: it was more customer service, but it was customer service 48 00:02:16,639 --> 00:02:20,280 Speaker 1: where I would help the internal staff if something went 49 00:02:20,280 --> 00:02:23,640 Speaker 1: wrong with their laptop or with their computer, very simple 50 00:02:23,680 --> 00:02:27,240 Speaker 1: fixes with the program. Eventually I realized that they had 51 00:02:27,280 --> 00:02:31,800 Speaker 1: a server team, and I am a very ambitious person, 52 00:02:32,400 --> 00:02:35,880 Speaker 1: so I decided that, hey, I am going to go. 53 00:02:36,240 --> 00:02:40,919 Speaker 1: I started having conversations with the different staff members that 54 00:02:40,960 --> 00:02:44,400 Speaker 1: were on the server team at that time and inquiring 55 00:02:44,440 --> 00:02:46,720 Speaker 1: about how can I become a part of this team, 56 00:02:46,919 --> 00:02:49,520 Speaker 1: you know, researching myself learning that oh my god, you 57 00:02:49,520 --> 00:02:53,120 Speaker 1: could make X amount of dollars per year. I wanted 58 00:02:53,160 --> 00:02:56,040 Speaker 1: to get into that space. So I started doing my education, 59 00:02:56,520 --> 00:02:59,920 Speaker 1: building a report with the manager and the team over there, 60 00:03:00,120 --> 00:03:03,080 Speaker 1: and eventually they knew my interest and allowed me to 61 00:03:03,080 --> 00:03:05,440 Speaker 1: get in that position. And once I got in that position, 62 00:03:05,480 --> 00:03:07,320 Speaker 1: I worked that position for seven years, which was the 63 00:03:07,360 --> 00:03:12,520 Speaker 1: Microsoft Sertivice system engineer, and then eventually I got tired 64 00:03:12,560 --> 00:03:15,440 Speaker 1: of that because I was like, I like to go out, 65 00:03:15,520 --> 00:03:18,360 Speaker 1: I like to have fun. I like to socialize and engage. 66 00:03:19,040 --> 00:03:21,320 Speaker 1: And of course, if you're out and you're on the 67 00:03:21,360 --> 00:03:24,640 Speaker 1: server team and something happens with one of the servers, 68 00:03:24,639 --> 00:03:26,120 Speaker 1: guess what you're gonna have. 69 00:03:26,080 --> 00:03:26,880 Speaker 2: To got to go in. 70 00:03:26,960 --> 00:03:27,680 Speaker 4: You got to go in. 71 00:03:27,919 --> 00:03:30,880 Speaker 1: And I kept getting called in and I was like, Okay, 72 00:03:30,919 --> 00:03:33,520 Speaker 1: this is not what I want. And eventually I started 73 00:03:33,520 --> 00:03:37,000 Speaker 1: doing additional research for other industries and that's how I 74 00:03:37,120 --> 00:03:40,560 Speaker 1: transition into public relations marketing. 75 00:03:41,040 --> 00:03:44,320 Speaker 3: Okay, so were you so now you're doing Atlanta Fashion Week? 76 00:03:44,320 --> 00:03:46,240 Speaker 3: Now I gotta ask, like, were you like the stylish 77 00:03:46,400 --> 00:03:48,120 Speaker 3: tech person at work? Like, were you coming in there 78 00:03:48,160 --> 00:03:50,360 Speaker 3: stepping on their throats back in the day, Firse. So 79 00:03:50,400 --> 00:03:52,800 Speaker 3: it was always in you, It was always in me. Okay, 80 00:03:52,920 --> 00:03:54,880 Speaker 3: So how did Atlanta Fashion League start? 81 00:03:55,160 --> 00:04:00,000 Speaker 1: Well? Back into So I got laid off into thousand 82 00:04:00,280 --> 00:04:02,840 Speaker 1: and six, but I will tell you in two thousand 83 00:04:02,880 --> 00:04:05,040 Speaker 1: and five, I start learning more about. 84 00:04:04,920 --> 00:04:06,640 Speaker 4: New York Fashion Week. 85 00:04:06,640 --> 00:04:10,400 Speaker 1: And that just totally drew in my interest and I 86 00:04:10,440 --> 00:04:13,800 Speaker 1: was like, okay, hey, I Atlanta doesn't have a fashion week? 87 00:04:14,080 --> 00:04:15,320 Speaker 4: How can I bring that here? 88 00:04:15,920 --> 00:04:19,800 Speaker 1: So maybe two thousand and two to two thousand and five. 89 00:04:20,000 --> 00:04:22,120 Speaker 4: Right before I got laid off, I was doing promotions. 90 00:04:22,360 --> 00:04:24,960 Speaker 1: We started the first I worked with this guy named 91 00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:28,360 Speaker 1: Darius dje Class and a few others and we started 92 00:04:28,360 --> 00:04:30,719 Speaker 1: the first day party in the city of Atlanta. Oh, 93 00:04:30,760 --> 00:04:32,520 Speaker 1: so that allowed me to dip my toe into the 94 00:04:32,560 --> 00:04:34,000 Speaker 1: whole promotion pr space. 95 00:04:34,040 --> 00:04:36,159 Speaker 2: So all these grass walls your fault. Then, you're telling 96 00:04:36,200 --> 00:04:38,279 Speaker 2: me all these we didn't have. 97 00:04:38,800 --> 00:04:42,000 Speaker 4: We did not have grass walls back then, right, yeah 98 00:04:42,120 --> 00:04:42,320 Speaker 4: he did. 99 00:04:42,920 --> 00:04:45,000 Speaker 2: There were no grass walls, I can confirm, right. 100 00:04:45,120 --> 00:04:49,000 Speaker 1: But you know, obviously the guy Darius Miller was the 101 00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:52,640 Speaker 1: one that was a brain chowne behind that concept, and 102 00:04:53,520 --> 00:04:55,680 Speaker 1: he knew that I wanted to get into pr because 103 00:04:55,680 --> 00:04:57,480 Speaker 1: I start talking about it and he's like, well, you 104 00:04:57,520 --> 00:04:59,160 Speaker 1: come on, you can beat the publicist for the event. 105 00:04:59,160 --> 00:05:01,320 Speaker 1: I said, sure, did not know what I was doing, 106 00:05:02,040 --> 00:05:07,200 Speaker 1: but I started to research again fashion, looking at entertainment, music, 107 00:05:07,680 --> 00:05:10,120 Speaker 1: just kind of exploring, looking at everything, knowing that the 108 00:05:10,240 --> 00:05:15,159 Speaker 1: music was virgining what actually just at not even at 109 00:05:15,200 --> 00:05:17,400 Speaker 1: his peak, but it was like the thing Atlanta was 110 00:05:17,440 --> 00:05:22,240 Speaker 1: the market. So, knowing that I could not produce fashion 111 00:05:22,360 --> 00:05:24,760 Speaker 1: just was not there at the time, I would just 112 00:05:24,760 --> 00:05:28,840 Speaker 1: do smaller events, right for myself, working with motophor for 113 00:05:29,080 --> 00:05:31,839 Speaker 1: working with all these different boutiques to produce fashion shows 114 00:05:32,120 --> 00:05:36,440 Speaker 1: and really honestly coining it as my own fashion week. Eventually, 115 00:05:36,760 --> 00:05:40,600 Speaker 1: what happened in twenty thirteen, I came across a young 116 00:05:40,640 --> 00:05:43,520 Speaker 1: lady that was actually one of the producers and founders 117 00:05:43,520 --> 00:05:47,159 Speaker 1: for Charleston Fashion Week, and we weren't on the board 118 00:05:47,200 --> 00:05:49,760 Speaker 1: together Fashion Group International. 119 00:05:50,480 --> 00:05:51,560 Speaker 4: That's how we connected. 120 00:05:52,320 --> 00:05:56,520 Speaker 1: She told me her history, and obviously everybody knew back 121 00:05:56,600 --> 00:05:59,960 Speaker 1: then that Charleston Fashion Week was the show for the South, 122 00:06:00,440 --> 00:06:02,840 Speaker 1: and I was like, well, I've been doing these events 123 00:06:02,839 --> 00:06:05,159 Speaker 1: since two thousand and six, but I haven't really brought 124 00:06:05,160 --> 00:06:07,560 Speaker 1: it together to make it where it has a lot 125 00:06:07,560 --> 00:06:08,160 Speaker 1: of impact. 126 00:06:08,480 --> 00:06:09,600 Speaker 4: How can we do that here? 127 00:06:10,160 --> 00:06:13,680 Speaker 1: And that's when we decided to put everything under right 128 00:06:13,680 --> 00:06:16,919 Speaker 1: Trade Atlanta and then start producing the shows in a 129 00:06:16,960 --> 00:06:21,080 Speaker 1: more organized way that resonated with or resembled New York 130 00:06:21,120 --> 00:06:21,720 Speaker 1: Fashion Week. 131 00:06:22,040 --> 00:06:22,760 Speaker 2: Gotcha? Gotcha? 132 00:06:23,320 --> 00:06:25,800 Speaker 3: So you kind of have this vision of Atlanta kind 133 00:06:25,800 --> 00:06:28,400 Speaker 3: of becoming the fifth fashion capital of the world, right, 134 00:06:28,960 --> 00:06:31,039 Speaker 3: you know, why do you think that's important for you know, 135 00:06:31,040 --> 00:06:34,400 Speaker 3: a city like Atlanta, especially knowing that, as we always 136 00:06:34,400 --> 00:06:36,560 Speaker 3: say it, land influences everything, But like, why is it 137 00:06:36,600 --> 00:06:39,720 Speaker 3: important that Atlanta becomes the fifth fashion capital of the world. 138 00:06:39,839 --> 00:06:43,680 Speaker 1: I just think we've done amazing at every creative discipline 139 00:06:43,680 --> 00:06:45,039 Speaker 1: that is out there at this time. 140 00:06:45,200 --> 00:06:45,920 Speaker 4: Think about it. 141 00:06:46,040 --> 00:06:50,200 Speaker 1: You know, nobody would have ever ever thought that music 142 00:06:50,360 --> 00:06:53,040 Speaker 1: would have taken a stronghold on this market like it did. 143 00:06:53,680 --> 00:06:55,839 Speaker 1: Nobody would have never thought that Felm and Television would 144 00:06:55,880 --> 00:06:58,840 Speaker 1: have taken a stronghold like it did. So knowing that 145 00:06:59,000 --> 00:07:02,480 Speaker 1: and identifying that that we have so many great creatives 146 00:07:02,480 --> 00:07:04,479 Speaker 1: in that space. We also have them in fashion and 147 00:07:04,520 --> 00:07:08,119 Speaker 1: we have them in art, and we are growing into 148 00:07:08,120 --> 00:07:11,000 Speaker 1: that space. You know, I think I mentioned to you before, 149 00:07:11,680 --> 00:07:14,560 Speaker 1: the first week in October is shaping up to be 150 00:07:14,880 --> 00:07:19,120 Speaker 1: quote unquote Atlanta Design Week. Because you have Atlanta Fashion Week, 151 00:07:19,160 --> 00:07:22,080 Speaker 1: you have Atlanta Art Fair, you have Atlanta Art Week, 152 00:07:22,560 --> 00:07:25,360 Speaker 1: you have Elevate, which is with the City of Atlanta, 153 00:07:25,680 --> 00:07:28,840 Speaker 1: and then you also have what Face, which is Fashion, Art, 154 00:07:28,840 --> 00:07:32,520 Speaker 1: Culture and Education, which is part of Fulson County led 155 00:07:32,560 --> 00:07:35,520 Speaker 1: by David Manuel. But then even more so that our 156 00:07:35,600 --> 00:07:38,760 Speaker 1: recently learned we also have Atlanta Design Festival that's taking 157 00:07:38,800 --> 00:07:41,760 Speaker 1: place last week is September, going into the first week 158 00:07:41,760 --> 00:07:46,360 Speaker 1: in October. Atlanta is ready for that discipline. It's time 159 00:07:46,800 --> 00:07:50,040 Speaker 1: fashion and art drives those other two disciplines and has 160 00:07:50,080 --> 00:07:52,400 Speaker 1: for a very long time. We have so many different 161 00:07:52,440 --> 00:07:54,880 Speaker 1: creatives that are here in this market that are making 162 00:07:54,920 --> 00:07:58,000 Speaker 1: an impact but honestly are not getting the recognition. But 163 00:07:58,080 --> 00:08:00,920 Speaker 1: it's just time for a platform to provide that recognition 164 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:01,360 Speaker 1: for them. 165 00:08:01,840 --> 00:08:05,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, what do you think makes Atlanta's you know, approach 166 00:08:05,080 --> 00:08:08,120 Speaker 3: to fashion so special? Because again, for a long time, 167 00:08:08,200 --> 00:08:11,160 Speaker 3: if you wanted to do something in fashion, it was 168 00:08:11,200 --> 00:08:12,560 Speaker 3: like you got to go to New York, you got 169 00:08:12,560 --> 00:08:14,480 Speaker 3: to go like to some of these other areas. You know, 170 00:08:14,520 --> 00:08:15,840 Speaker 3: if you want to do something in tech, you had 171 00:08:15,840 --> 00:08:17,600 Speaker 3: to go to San Francisco, right, if you want to 172 00:08:17,600 --> 00:08:19,720 Speaker 3: do something in finance, you had to go But like 173 00:08:19,800 --> 00:08:21,760 Speaker 3: now all these things are possible here. Like, you know, 174 00:08:21,800 --> 00:08:24,560 Speaker 3: what do you think is so special about Atlanta's fashion scene? 175 00:08:25,120 --> 00:08:26,960 Speaker 4: You know what, I don't know if it's anything that special. 176 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:29,440 Speaker 1: I think it's the belief Atlanta has always been like 177 00:08:29,520 --> 00:08:31,920 Speaker 1: a springboard to those other markets and has been for 178 00:08:31,960 --> 00:08:34,040 Speaker 1: a very long time. So when you think about, like, 179 00:08:34,160 --> 00:08:37,480 Speaker 1: our designers that we have here are just the entrepreneurs 180 00:08:37,840 --> 00:08:41,240 Speaker 1: that we have here, right, we believe in ourselves and 181 00:08:41,480 --> 00:08:45,800 Speaker 1: we obviously Atlanta is a test market to try things out, 182 00:08:46,160 --> 00:08:49,200 Speaker 1: but once we accomplish those we do so great at them. 183 00:08:49,280 --> 00:08:52,280 Speaker 1: And I do believe that our designers and our visual 184 00:08:52,400 --> 00:08:56,680 Speaker 1: artists in these particular industries have chosen to choose Atlanta 185 00:08:56,720 --> 00:08:57,760 Speaker 1: as their home. 186 00:08:58,160 --> 00:09:01,760 Speaker 4: And the way that we're leading in. 187 00:09:01,679 --> 00:09:04,400 Speaker 1: Regards to our design like I give all the glory 188 00:09:04,440 --> 00:09:08,480 Speaker 1: to New York, right, just like how Lil Yati said, yes, 189 00:09:08,559 --> 00:09:12,840 Speaker 1: they have, they led in so many different ways. However, 190 00:09:13,000 --> 00:09:15,480 Speaker 1: I do feel like the way that Atlanta has moved 191 00:09:15,520 --> 00:09:19,000 Speaker 1: over the last maybe ten fifteen years, we are continuously 192 00:09:19,080 --> 00:09:22,080 Speaker 1: set in trends and continue to do that and being 193 00:09:22,160 --> 00:09:25,720 Speaker 1: recognized for that. Now with fashion and visual arts. 194 00:09:25,800 --> 00:09:40,280 Speaker 3: Okay, now, what all is included in Atlanta Fashion Week? 195 00:09:40,280 --> 00:09:42,880 Speaker 3: You all do these events, There's like multiple moments like 196 00:09:43,040 --> 00:09:45,280 Speaker 3: what all is included in Atlanta Fashion Week? 197 00:09:45,559 --> 00:09:49,120 Speaker 1: We approach our show as a festival, right because we 198 00:09:49,160 --> 00:09:51,840 Speaker 1: want all of our individuals, We want all of our 199 00:09:51,840 --> 00:09:53,880 Speaker 1: guests that come out to our event to have a 200 00:09:53,920 --> 00:09:58,679 Speaker 1: great time outside of just the runway shows. So I'm 201 00:09:58,679 --> 00:10:01,080 Speaker 1: gonna talk about it from two different perspectives. From the 202 00:10:01,120 --> 00:10:04,520 Speaker 1: consumer perspective, you're going to get runway shows, You're going 203 00:10:04,559 --> 00:10:07,599 Speaker 1: to get to meet new designers and pop up experiences. 204 00:10:07,840 --> 00:10:10,520 Speaker 1: You're going to get to attend different parties that are 205 00:10:10,559 --> 00:10:14,000 Speaker 1: curated specifically for Atlanta Fashion Week. You're going to get 206 00:10:14,040 --> 00:10:19,520 Speaker 1: a chance to also experience a nightlife with Atlanta Fashion Week. Now, 207 00:10:19,559 --> 00:10:22,679 Speaker 1: from a designer perspective, what makes us different is that 208 00:10:22,760 --> 00:10:27,120 Speaker 1: we do tend to target more direct to consumer designers, right, 209 00:10:27,760 --> 00:10:32,680 Speaker 1: we also allow those designers to participate in a fashion 210 00:10:32,880 --> 00:10:38,679 Speaker 1: show that is highly produced, very similar or even better 211 00:10:38,720 --> 00:10:40,920 Speaker 1: than New York. But then you also get a chance 212 00:10:40,960 --> 00:10:45,160 Speaker 1: to sell and make money, and so we incorporate that 213 00:10:45,200 --> 00:10:48,280 Speaker 1: business aspect in it because we understand for our designers 214 00:10:48,880 --> 00:10:51,199 Speaker 1: that it's more than just showing. You need to be 215 00:10:51,240 --> 00:10:54,400 Speaker 1: able to touch that consumer, build a relation with that consumer, 216 00:10:54,760 --> 00:10:57,840 Speaker 1: and also grow your brand and even scale for that weekend. 217 00:10:57,880 --> 00:10:59,200 Speaker 4: And so we've been doing that. 218 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:01,720 Speaker 1: That's always been like the model for our show for 219 00:11:01,800 --> 00:11:05,160 Speaker 1: our participating designers since we started. In regards to the 220 00:11:05,200 --> 00:11:07,800 Speaker 1: actual week though, you know, if we could after I 221 00:11:07,800 --> 00:11:11,240 Speaker 1: touch on that. October second is our opening night party 222 00:11:11,800 --> 00:11:14,680 Speaker 1: and we're going to be honoring the founders of Fubo. Okay, 223 00:11:14,920 --> 00:11:17,720 Speaker 1: October third and fourth are the runway shows. We have 224 00:11:17,760 --> 00:11:21,520 Speaker 1: shows that are happening from eleven am to eight pm. 225 00:11:22,280 --> 00:11:25,640 Speaker 1: We just announced our two feature designers that are going 226 00:11:25,679 --> 00:11:29,720 Speaker 1: to close out each day. On Thursday, October third, Kouji 227 00:11:30,040 --> 00:11:33,360 Speaker 1: is coming from New York in Australia to showcase their 228 00:11:33,440 --> 00:11:37,679 Speaker 1: latest collection. And then on Friday, October fourth, Fubu is 229 00:11:37,760 --> 00:11:41,160 Speaker 1: relaunching Stateside. A lot of people think that Fubu had 230 00:11:41,240 --> 00:11:44,280 Speaker 1: left and they were no longer around, but in reality, 231 00:11:44,320 --> 00:11:49,080 Speaker 1: they just switched their direction and went overseas and penetrated 232 00:11:49,120 --> 00:11:52,280 Speaker 1: that market. But the cool thing about it the gen 233 00:11:52,400 --> 00:11:56,199 Speaker 1: Z audience. They are so into these nineties brands, these 234 00:11:56,280 --> 00:11:59,160 Speaker 1: nineties and two thousand brands, all of them are coming 235 00:11:59,160 --> 00:12:03,600 Speaker 1: back from avery. Last night at the Trap Museum's event Wilato, 236 00:12:03,880 --> 00:12:07,920 Speaker 1: she literally had on a Pelly Pelly jacket and then 237 00:12:08,200 --> 00:12:12,200 Speaker 1: obviously the Cougie's many calls that I got yesterday just 238 00:12:12,240 --> 00:12:15,920 Speaker 1: from that announcement, I cannot wait to wear my Cougie sweater. 239 00:12:16,760 --> 00:12:18,840 Speaker 1: It was like, I gotta go buy a new Cougie sweater. 240 00:12:19,080 --> 00:12:22,800 Speaker 1: My boyfriend got an original piece from Australia from Kujie. 241 00:12:23,000 --> 00:12:25,360 Speaker 1: He's going to wear that to the show. Like the 242 00:12:25,440 --> 00:12:28,400 Speaker 1: excitement around these brands is what's making me happy and 243 00:12:28,440 --> 00:12:31,680 Speaker 1: fueling my energy for it because I cannot wait to 244 00:12:31,760 --> 00:12:34,240 Speaker 1: see these brands have the glory again. They did so 245 00:12:34,320 --> 00:12:36,760 Speaker 1: much for our culture, they did so much for our community, 246 00:12:37,080 --> 00:12:39,320 Speaker 1: and to see that they could possibly come back in 247 00:12:39,360 --> 00:12:42,360 Speaker 1: a major way and also be launched here in Atlanta 248 00:12:42,520 --> 00:12:45,160 Speaker 1: and get that glory here in Atlanta. Just it's the 249 00:12:45,240 --> 00:12:45,960 Speaker 1: cherry on top. 250 00:12:47,280 --> 00:12:49,199 Speaker 3: I gotta bust out my old ax Shackett, you know 251 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:51,560 Speaker 3: what I'm saying. I thought one somewhere up in the closet. 252 00:12:51,600 --> 00:12:53,520 Speaker 3: I'm gonna need to get that thing ready for Atlanta 253 00:12:53,520 --> 00:12:54,200 Speaker 3: Fashion Weekend. 254 00:12:54,200 --> 00:12:55,440 Speaker 4: Absolutely, and I think it's. 255 00:12:55,280 --> 00:12:56,679 Speaker 3: Amazing too to your point, like a lot of these 256 00:12:56,679 --> 00:12:58,680 Speaker 3: brands are kind of starting to come full circle. Yeah, 257 00:12:58,720 --> 00:13:00,880 Speaker 3: you know, I've kind of noticed too in culture that 258 00:13:00,920 --> 00:13:02,520 Speaker 3: you're starting to see more people kind of, you know, 259 00:13:02,520 --> 00:13:05,319 Speaker 3: bring back that nineties vibe, you know, some of the looks, 260 00:13:05,320 --> 00:13:07,439 Speaker 3: the clothes. I saw something the other day online where 261 00:13:07,480 --> 00:13:11,200 Speaker 3: people were talking about the the oldest Charlotte hornet starter jacket. 262 00:13:11,559 --> 00:13:13,040 Speaker 3: It was like, you know, if you had to have 263 00:13:13,040 --> 00:13:14,920 Speaker 3: one of these things growing up, because it was just 264 00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:16,679 Speaker 3: one of those symbols, like people had never seen those 265 00:13:16,760 --> 00:13:19,640 Speaker 3: kind of colors come together before, and like everybody kind 266 00:13:19,640 --> 00:13:21,920 Speaker 3: of want to have one. What's your like, favorite you know, 267 00:13:22,000 --> 00:13:25,120 Speaker 3: most you know, favorite kind of most nostalgic you know brand. 268 00:13:25,160 --> 00:13:27,040 Speaker 3: I know you talked about Cooogie and liking to see that, 269 00:13:27,160 --> 00:13:29,480 Speaker 3: but what's kind of that favorite you know brand for 270 00:13:29,520 --> 00:13:30,280 Speaker 3: you from back in the day. 271 00:13:30,320 --> 00:13:32,040 Speaker 2: That you want to see comeback for me. 272 00:13:33,040 --> 00:13:37,359 Speaker 1: Oh, there are several, but I would I always love sneakers, 273 00:13:37,760 --> 00:13:41,440 Speaker 1: so I would do the Juicy Cuatur. Okay, sweatsuit, that 274 00:13:41,640 --> 00:13:45,120 Speaker 1: was my thing. I love the Juicy Cuatur sweatsuit, so 275 00:13:45,480 --> 00:13:48,400 Speaker 1: I would have to go to that. The Bealore sweatsuit. 276 00:13:48,520 --> 00:13:50,679 Speaker 4: Yeah, oh you know what I had me a a 277 00:13:51,640 --> 00:13:53,160 Speaker 4: women and it was the good on women. 278 00:13:53,240 --> 00:13:55,000 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, they always looked good. It was a Charlotte 279 00:13:55,080 --> 00:13:56,680 Speaker 2: Juicy coutour. Y'all were doing a lot for the culture 280 00:13:56,679 --> 00:13:57,600 Speaker 2: back in the day. 281 00:13:58,400 --> 00:14:00,680 Speaker 3: Now, you know again you've taken in a fashion week 282 00:14:00,679 --> 00:14:02,800 Speaker 3: of these last ten plus years that you've been doing it, 283 00:14:03,160 --> 00:14:05,000 Speaker 3: and it's really kind of grown into something it started, 284 00:14:05,080 --> 00:14:07,000 Speaker 3: you know, it was one thing. Now it draws you know, 285 00:14:07,080 --> 00:14:10,720 Speaker 3: thousands of people and you know artists and creators and 286 00:14:10,800 --> 00:14:13,800 Speaker 3: fashion designers and the public. Like, what were some of 287 00:14:13,800 --> 00:14:16,000 Speaker 3: the things you did that kind of you know, made 288 00:14:16,000 --> 00:14:18,480 Speaker 3: the biggest difference. I think a lot of times when 289 00:14:18,480 --> 00:14:20,560 Speaker 3: you're doing something, you can't always connect the dots looking 290 00:14:20,560 --> 00:14:22,040 Speaker 3: for but you can always kind of connect the dots when 291 00:14:22,040 --> 00:14:24,160 Speaker 3: you look backwards, right and when you think about it, 292 00:14:24,200 --> 00:14:25,800 Speaker 3: Like a lot of times, business is kind of a 293 00:14:25,800 --> 00:14:28,560 Speaker 3: series of as I say, like you know, hills and plateaus, 294 00:14:28,640 --> 00:14:30,720 Speaker 3: right like this, it's kind of slow sometimes and things 295 00:14:30,720 --> 00:14:32,880 Speaker 3: are just working your grinding. Then you have kind of 296 00:14:32,880 --> 00:14:35,640 Speaker 3: these inflection points. What were some of those inflection points 297 00:14:35,640 --> 00:14:38,120 Speaker 3: for you that kind of, you know, helped Atlanta Fashion 298 00:14:38,120 --> 00:14:40,920 Speaker 3: Week break through. Was it a certain designer getting involved 299 00:14:40,960 --> 00:14:42,560 Speaker 3: or was it a certain person that showed up at 300 00:14:42,600 --> 00:14:44,440 Speaker 3: a show? Like when you kind of look back at it. 301 00:14:45,320 --> 00:14:47,800 Speaker 1: When I look back at it, I would have to 302 00:14:47,880 --> 00:14:52,160 Speaker 1: say that I do contribute it to my team and 303 00:14:52,200 --> 00:14:57,520 Speaker 1: then also to I mean, I'm a publicist, right, so I. 304 00:14:57,560 --> 00:15:00,280 Speaker 4: Built many, many, many, many. 305 00:15:00,080 --> 00:15:03,080 Speaker 1: Relationships over the course of the years in all types 306 00:15:03,120 --> 00:15:08,640 Speaker 1: of industries. So being consistent with the production, even though 307 00:15:08,880 --> 00:15:12,880 Speaker 1: I have to say it is sometimes very challenging. I'm 308 00:15:12,880 --> 00:15:16,400 Speaker 1: an entrepreneur trying to run a PR marketing agency, but 309 00:15:16,480 --> 00:15:19,440 Speaker 1: then also trying to build this brand that I vision 310 00:15:19,600 --> 00:15:22,840 Speaker 1: to be a multimillion dollar brand that will be a 311 00:15:22,880 --> 00:15:25,800 Speaker 1: brand that would be a legacy brand that will outlive me, right, 312 00:15:26,240 --> 00:15:28,880 Speaker 1: And so it gets challenging trying to figure out like, Okay, 313 00:15:29,280 --> 00:15:33,080 Speaker 1: where do I spend the most time at right, But essentially, 314 00:15:33,320 --> 00:15:36,000 Speaker 1: you know, when we did one of our shows at 315 00:15:37,080 --> 00:15:40,280 Speaker 1: the w Hotel and that was actually probably twenty thirteen, 316 00:15:41,360 --> 00:15:45,080 Speaker 1: the way that Bart College at that time came around 317 00:15:45,880 --> 00:15:48,760 Speaker 1: and those students showed and it was a sold out show. 318 00:15:49,200 --> 00:15:52,240 Speaker 1: And then our second show happened and it was independent 319 00:15:52,280 --> 00:15:54,880 Speaker 1: designers that were part of that show, and then that 320 00:15:54,960 --> 00:15:59,880 Speaker 1: show sold out, and at that time, knowing that we 321 00:16:00,120 --> 00:16:02,320 Speaker 1: been working at this for a very long time, but 322 00:16:02,360 --> 00:16:05,200 Speaker 1: then receiving like a proclamation from the City of Atlanta 323 00:16:05,240 --> 00:16:07,800 Speaker 1: at that time, actually it was the Phoenix Award from 324 00:16:07,840 --> 00:16:11,640 Speaker 1: the City of Atlanta from Mayor Cassine Reid, but it 325 00:16:11,680 --> 00:16:14,720 Speaker 1: was presented by Ebony Williams. I think that's what I say. 326 00:16:14,880 --> 00:16:17,520 Speaker 1: Ebony that works for the City of Atlanta and special events. 327 00:16:17,800 --> 00:16:19,960 Speaker 1: She brought that and presented that too, and I was like, okay, 328 00:16:20,080 --> 00:16:23,520 Speaker 1: so now people are really beginning to recognize the work 329 00:16:23,520 --> 00:16:26,920 Speaker 1: that we put behind building up this brand and what 330 00:16:26,960 --> 00:16:29,280 Speaker 1: we're trying to do. And that's when I saw the 331 00:16:29,320 --> 00:16:31,680 Speaker 1: turning point, because every year after that it's started getting 332 00:16:31,680 --> 00:16:35,120 Speaker 1: bigger and bigger and bigger. Of course, we had celebrities participate, 333 00:16:35,400 --> 00:16:38,080 Speaker 1: but when I got Microsoft in twenty twenty two to 334 00:16:38,120 --> 00:16:40,280 Speaker 1: come on as a brand partner, I knew that we 335 00:16:40,280 --> 00:16:42,120 Speaker 1: were onto something at that point. 336 00:16:42,320 --> 00:16:44,320 Speaker 3: Yeah, you know, it's interesting a lot of people, you know, 337 00:16:44,360 --> 00:16:48,080 Speaker 3: people think that sponsors and partners are easy, but you know, 338 00:16:48,280 --> 00:16:50,200 Speaker 3: it's hard work getting those folks involved. You know, how 339 00:16:50,200 --> 00:16:52,240 Speaker 3: do you get partners and sponsors involved with the Atlanta 340 00:16:52,280 --> 00:16:54,400 Speaker 3: Fashion Week? And then also, you know, just how are 341 00:16:54,400 --> 00:16:56,280 Speaker 3: some of the ways that Atlanta Fashion Week like actually, 342 00:16:56,360 --> 00:16:58,480 Speaker 3: you know makes money to help cover some of these things, 343 00:16:58,520 --> 00:17:00,880 Speaker 3: Like do is it just purely through partners and sponsorships? 344 00:17:00,880 --> 00:17:01,880 Speaker 3: So you're selling tickets? 345 00:17:01,920 --> 00:17:04,479 Speaker 1: Like yeah, so we have to sell tickets, you know, 346 00:17:04,560 --> 00:17:07,240 Speaker 1: because we don't charge. If you show in New York. 347 00:17:08,520 --> 00:17:12,240 Speaker 1: At minimum, you're going to spend twenty thousand, okay, twenty 348 00:17:12,240 --> 00:17:15,800 Speaker 1: thousand dollars to produce your show. And that's just you 349 00:17:15,880 --> 00:17:20,720 Speaker 1: producing your show. That does not include any opportunities to 350 00:17:20,920 --> 00:17:24,000 Speaker 1: sell immediately after. I mean, you can go to the 351 00:17:24,040 --> 00:17:27,359 Speaker 1: different trade shows like Coterie Magic or whatever, but that's 352 00:17:27,480 --> 00:17:28,560 Speaker 1: just for you to do your show. 353 00:17:29,000 --> 00:17:31,119 Speaker 2: So how do you bring those kind of partners involved? 354 00:17:31,200 --> 00:17:35,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, so obviously we target you know, obviously, we really 355 00:17:35,119 --> 00:17:38,720 Speaker 1: do look at the different brands that we want to 356 00:17:38,760 --> 00:17:41,400 Speaker 1: go after and see what they want to focus on. 357 00:17:41,560 --> 00:17:43,639 Speaker 1: So obviously I may reach out to them and I 358 00:17:43,680 --> 00:17:45,640 Speaker 1: may say, hey, what is it that you're currently looking 359 00:17:45,680 --> 00:17:48,679 Speaker 1: at or looking to accomplish in twenty twenty four, twenty 360 00:17:48,680 --> 00:17:51,120 Speaker 1: twenty five, And then I send them like a quick 361 00:17:51,240 --> 00:17:54,600 Speaker 1: event overview of the things that we accomplished the year 362 00:17:54,640 --> 00:17:57,280 Speaker 1: before and maybe a couple of years prior to that. 363 00:17:57,920 --> 00:18:01,920 Speaker 1: A lot of times we have had us getting responses back. 364 00:18:02,119 --> 00:18:04,520 Speaker 1: Now I have to say again, because I work in 365 00:18:04,520 --> 00:18:08,159 Speaker 1: PR marketing, I have relationships, right and I also have 366 00:18:08,440 --> 00:18:11,960 Speaker 1: worked they know my work from experiential marketing, so I 367 00:18:12,000 --> 00:18:14,199 Speaker 1: send that information to them, I get a response back, 368 00:18:14,240 --> 00:18:17,240 Speaker 1: then we jump on a call. Every conversation I have 369 00:18:17,400 --> 00:18:18,719 Speaker 1: does not be successful. 370 00:18:19,119 --> 00:18:19,679 Speaker 4: It's just not. 371 00:18:20,160 --> 00:18:21,919 Speaker 1: It's one particular brand that I've been trying to go 372 00:18:21,960 --> 00:18:23,919 Speaker 1: after for many many years, and I still have not 373 00:18:24,000 --> 00:18:26,800 Speaker 1: got them on board. Hopefully this time around they come around. 374 00:18:26,840 --> 00:18:29,840 Speaker 1: You know, I'm still waiting, but for the most part, 375 00:18:30,160 --> 00:18:34,280 Speaker 1: understanding their target audience, who they're going after, the topper 376 00:18:34,320 --> 00:18:37,399 Speaker 1: product and program that they're trying to promote for twenty 377 00:18:37,520 --> 00:18:41,080 Speaker 1: that particular year, and then finding ways creatively to integrate 378 00:18:41,119 --> 00:18:44,439 Speaker 1: the two. And that's where my experience with experiential marketing 379 00:18:44,480 --> 00:18:46,560 Speaker 1: has totally helped me out a whole lot. 380 00:18:58,080 --> 00:18:59,840 Speaker 3: So, Okay, so you go out here, you get these brands, 381 00:18:59,840 --> 00:19:02,920 Speaker 3: and what's a brand that you really want to work 382 00:19:02,920 --> 00:19:04,359 Speaker 3: with or you think you know would fit be a 383 00:19:04,359 --> 00:19:06,000 Speaker 3: perfect fit for Atlantic Fashion Week. 384 00:19:06,160 --> 00:19:09,320 Speaker 1: I will tell you I don't know. Okay, it would 385 00:19:09,320 --> 00:19:11,640 Speaker 1: be Atlanta Fashion Week, but it will also be for. 386 00:19:11,600 --> 00:19:14,320 Speaker 4: The entire year of everything that we're doing. I would 387 00:19:14,320 --> 00:19:15,280 Speaker 4: say about two years. 388 00:19:15,080 --> 00:19:20,240 Speaker 1: Ago, we actually did outreach to LVMH per particular program. 389 00:19:20,920 --> 00:19:26,360 Speaker 1: They are a very strong company. Obviously, the majority LVMH itself, 390 00:19:26,920 --> 00:19:31,160 Speaker 1: the other brands. The profit coming from LVMH is coming 391 00:19:31,160 --> 00:19:34,399 Speaker 1: from from the actual LVMH. It's probably twenty five percent, 392 00:19:34,480 --> 00:19:37,200 Speaker 1: so the other brands are actually carrying that brand, right. 393 00:19:37,560 --> 00:19:40,800 Speaker 1: So they are extremely strong and stable, and they do 394 00:19:40,840 --> 00:19:44,280 Speaker 1: support independent brands obviously they have in the past. So 395 00:19:44,640 --> 00:19:47,080 Speaker 1: I reached out to them about possibly doing a program 396 00:19:47,119 --> 00:19:51,720 Speaker 1: with them that I thought that would be amazing for Atlanta. Unfortunately, 397 00:19:51,920 --> 00:19:53,760 Speaker 1: it did not come to us. It end up going 398 00:19:53,800 --> 00:19:57,160 Speaker 1: somewhere else, not to be named. And I'm not upset 399 00:19:57,200 --> 00:20:00,560 Speaker 1: about it, you know, because it just probably wasn't time. Obviously, 400 00:20:00,600 --> 00:20:04,280 Speaker 1: I'm keeping that conversation open and keeping that relationship there, 401 00:20:04,800 --> 00:20:07,040 Speaker 1: But it was a relation program that I built up 402 00:20:07,080 --> 00:20:09,320 Speaker 1: that obviously was a good program because guess what they 403 00:20:09,400 --> 00:20:12,760 Speaker 1: end up using the program somewhere else. So I know 404 00:20:12,880 --> 00:20:16,520 Speaker 1: what I was building out made since. But if I 405 00:20:16,520 --> 00:20:20,080 Speaker 1: could bring LVMH here to see the local brands that 406 00:20:20,160 --> 00:20:22,560 Speaker 1: we have here. You have brands like Sea Sent Assists. 407 00:20:22,640 --> 00:20:26,280 Speaker 1: That brand is amazing. Fred Foster has worked in this 408 00:20:26,359 --> 00:20:30,480 Speaker 1: industry for so long. He has made had major placements 409 00:20:30,720 --> 00:20:34,919 Speaker 1: and on many different celebrities right and been on big 410 00:20:35,040 --> 00:20:39,560 Speaker 1: main stages where his product was seen, and it's just time. 411 00:20:40,000 --> 00:20:42,280 Speaker 1: It's time for him to have that opportunity in that shot. 412 00:20:42,720 --> 00:20:43,560 Speaker 1: Even think about. 413 00:20:43,320 --> 00:20:44,960 Speaker 4: Meryll's High and D map. 414 00:20:45,440 --> 00:20:48,040 Speaker 1: You know he's doing amazingly well right now with his 415 00:20:48,160 --> 00:20:49,359 Speaker 1: Crown of Cairo hats. 416 00:20:49,680 --> 00:20:51,680 Speaker 4: I love him doing his scene. 417 00:20:51,680 --> 00:20:55,280 Speaker 1: But then we also have different designers like Kenya Freeman 418 00:20:55,640 --> 00:20:59,080 Speaker 1: that on Sybia Molly now she has amazing partnership with 419 00:20:59,440 --> 00:21:04,280 Speaker 1: Sheen where she designs her collection and then she and 420 00:21:04,359 --> 00:21:08,080 Speaker 1: produces the product for them and sells it on their platform. 421 00:21:08,560 --> 00:21:12,320 Speaker 1: That's huge. You know it is fast fashion, but it's huge. 422 00:21:12,960 --> 00:21:15,840 Speaker 1: So just kind of identifying giving those different designers that 423 00:21:15,880 --> 00:21:19,480 Speaker 1: opportunity where they can be invested by one of those 424 00:21:19,520 --> 00:21:22,320 Speaker 1: big brands like at VMH that has all the resources 425 00:21:22,640 --> 00:21:24,920 Speaker 1: that will help them catabul to the next level. That's 426 00:21:24,920 --> 00:21:27,679 Speaker 1: what I would love to see, and so it'll be 427 00:21:27,720 --> 00:21:30,000 Speaker 1: bigger than just Atlanta Fashion Week. It's really for the 428 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:33,119 Speaker 1: designer and seeing that designer really scale up their business 429 00:21:33,160 --> 00:21:34,600 Speaker 1: at the level that they can. 430 00:21:35,320 --> 00:21:37,000 Speaker 3: For people that are just trying to get started in 431 00:21:37,040 --> 00:21:40,240 Speaker 3: like design fashion, you know, how do you go from 432 00:21:40,280 --> 00:21:41,879 Speaker 3: like how would you recommend somebody kind of goes from 433 00:21:41,960 --> 00:21:44,360 Speaker 3: zero to one? You know, they're starting an idea, then 434 00:21:44,359 --> 00:21:46,480 Speaker 3: maybe they're they're doing shirt, so they want to do 435 00:21:46,520 --> 00:21:48,119 Speaker 3: something special, Like how do you kind of start to 436 00:21:48,160 --> 00:21:50,440 Speaker 3: break through nowadays? I mean, obviously you can push stuff 437 00:21:50,480 --> 00:21:53,119 Speaker 3: on social media and you can try to get you know, placements. 438 00:21:53,280 --> 00:21:54,960 Speaker 3: I get stuff in all the time in the mail, 439 00:21:55,520 --> 00:21:57,359 Speaker 3: But like, you know, what advice would you kind of 440 00:21:57,359 --> 00:21:59,240 Speaker 3: give to that aspiring designer's like, I want to get 441 00:21:59,240 --> 00:22:00,680 Speaker 3: my stuff out there kind of breakthrough? 442 00:22:01,480 --> 00:22:04,640 Speaker 1: I would say, master your craft. There are a lot 443 00:22:04,640 --> 00:22:09,120 Speaker 1: of different designers that are out there that create garments 444 00:22:09,520 --> 00:22:12,080 Speaker 1: that are not necessarily ready for market. 445 00:22:12,920 --> 00:22:14,680 Speaker 2: Okay, now what does that mean? What does them not 446 00:22:14,720 --> 00:22:15,600 Speaker 2: ready for market mean? 447 00:22:15,760 --> 00:22:18,119 Speaker 1: It could be just the craftmanship behind the brand, you know, 448 00:22:18,200 --> 00:22:21,480 Speaker 1: the way that they sew the garment together, the way 449 00:22:21,560 --> 00:22:26,200 Speaker 1: that the type of material a fabric that they're choosing 450 00:22:26,400 --> 00:22:30,960 Speaker 1: to use. There's many different reasons that they're just not 451 00:22:31,119 --> 00:22:34,119 Speaker 1: ready to go to market yet, right, I would master 452 00:22:34,240 --> 00:22:38,120 Speaker 1: your craft. A lot of designers from France, from Italy, 453 00:22:39,000 --> 00:22:41,240 Speaker 1: it takes years for them to master before they even 454 00:22:41,240 --> 00:22:44,199 Speaker 1: go to market. And I think that we have to 455 00:22:44,280 --> 00:22:47,720 Speaker 1: take that opportunity to do that here. I think a 456 00:22:47,720 --> 00:22:51,560 Speaker 1: lot of times what end up happening. We're so quick 457 00:22:51,600 --> 00:22:54,840 Speaker 1: to try to jump on a trend, right, So we 458 00:22:54,960 --> 00:22:57,280 Speaker 1: jump on that trend, create like a sweatshirt or whatever, 459 00:22:57,880 --> 00:23:00,240 Speaker 1: and think that we created a brand, but then you 460 00:23:00,280 --> 00:23:03,600 Speaker 1: still don't have the back of your house together. It's 461 00:23:03,640 --> 00:23:05,640 Speaker 1: a lot of money to start a fashion brand. It's 462 00:23:05,680 --> 00:23:09,239 Speaker 1: not something that you could just do initially, right. It 463 00:23:09,280 --> 00:23:13,040 Speaker 1: takes having the manufacturing together and making sure that you're 464 00:23:13,080 --> 00:23:16,720 Speaker 1: on the fashion calendar and understanding that when the buyers 465 00:23:16,760 --> 00:23:20,639 Speaker 1: are looking to purchase product, having money that money is 466 00:23:20,680 --> 00:23:22,359 Speaker 1: a big part of that because a lot of times, 467 00:23:22,440 --> 00:23:25,440 Speaker 1: especially if you're trying to go into wholesale, you got 468 00:23:25,440 --> 00:23:27,000 Speaker 1: to be able to produce. You may not get paid 469 00:23:27,000 --> 00:23:32,040 Speaker 1: for sixty days, and then based on the amount of 470 00:23:32,040 --> 00:23:34,879 Speaker 1: product that's sold within a timeframe, they may return it. 471 00:23:35,080 --> 00:23:36,600 Speaker 2: Oh that's possible. They can do that. 472 00:23:36,480 --> 00:23:39,560 Speaker 1: Absolutely in the contracts. Oh you got to be prepared 473 00:23:39,600 --> 00:23:42,560 Speaker 1: for all that. It's called the sell through rate. What 474 00:23:42,640 --> 00:23:46,639 Speaker 1: is the sell through rate between August first to August fifteenth? 475 00:23:47,400 --> 00:23:49,439 Speaker 3: So if you, as a designer get your stuff placed 476 00:23:49,440 --> 00:23:52,760 Speaker 3: in a store, you're promoting it, they put it up 477 00:23:52,800 --> 00:23:55,199 Speaker 3: on the shelves. If a certain percentage of it is 478 00:23:55,240 --> 00:23:58,840 Speaker 3: not selling within that whatever timeframe you tell me, they 479 00:23:58,880 --> 00:24:00,520 Speaker 3: can literally send it back to you. And now you 480 00:24:00,600 --> 00:24:01,600 Speaker 3: all of a sudden you had all that. 481 00:24:01,520 --> 00:24:03,879 Speaker 4: Merchandise possibility to get sent it back to you. 482 00:24:04,680 --> 00:24:07,399 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, massing that craft. 483 00:24:09,440 --> 00:24:10,600 Speaker 4: You got to mass that craft. 484 00:24:11,359 --> 00:24:14,119 Speaker 3: Now again you talk about how, you know, Atlanta Fashion 485 00:24:14,119 --> 00:24:15,880 Speaker 3: we kind of helps these designers and puts them out 486 00:24:15,920 --> 00:24:17,919 Speaker 3: there knowingly they kind of go through all this stuff. 487 00:24:18,000 --> 00:24:19,720 Speaker 3: What are some of the benefits of the designers and 488 00:24:19,720 --> 00:24:21,800 Speaker 3: the people that get involved in Atlanta Fashion Week, Like, 489 00:24:21,840 --> 00:24:24,119 Speaker 3: how does it help them take their brands in the 490 00:24:24,160 --> 00:24:24,680 Speaker 3: next level? 491 00:24:25,080 --> 00:24:28,679 Speaker 1: Well, you know, the great thing that has happened, And 492 00:24:28,720 --> 00:24:31,440 Speaker 1: it's so funny because I was looking back at Old Photos, 493 00:24:31,800 --> 00:24:34,840 Speaker 1: realizing that we've already built We've been building our relationship 494 00:24:34,880 --> 00:24:39,320 Speaker 1: with bloom Medals for years and understanding the ethos and 495 00:24:39,359 --> 00:24:43,680 Speaker 1: the DNA of Blue Meadal's. They have always supported new 496 00:24:43,760 --> 00:24:47,600 Speaker 1: brands at one step or another, right. Donnie Karen is 497 00:24:47,680 --> 00:24:52,000 Speaker 1: a example of that. Diane von Fersenberg is an example 498 00:24:52,040 --> 00:24:56,639 Speaker 1: of that. And so the fact that with Atlanta Fashion 499 00:24:56,640 --> 00:25:02,560 Speaker 1: Week there's a possible opportunity for wholesale with Bloomingdale's and 500 00:25:02,600 --> 00:25:05,800 Speaker 1: I say possible, but you get a chance to start 501 00:25:05,800 --> 00:25:10,199 Speaker 1: building that relationship. We've created this pipeline that when you 502 00:25:10,280 --> 00:25:13,760 Speaker 1: show at Atlanta, the next step is now you sell 503 00:25:13,800 --> 00:25:16,240 Speaker 1: at Bloomingdale's for a pop up experience. 504 00:25:16,600 --> 00:25:17,600 Speaker 4: Some of those pop up. 505 00:25:17,520 --> 00:25:20,199 Speaker 1: Experiences can be just for two days if it's happening 506 00:25:20,240 --> 00:25:23,040 Speaker 1: during Atlanta Fashion Week. Some of them can be thirty days. 507 00:25:24,040 --> 00:25:27,240 Speaker 1: You know, eventually, if they are thirty days, that means 508 00:25:27,240 --> 00:25:28,600 Speaker 1: you obtain a skew. 509 00:25:28,440 --> 00:25:31,440 Speaker 4: Number from bloom Meydale's, okay. 510 00:25:31,080 --> 00:25:33,879 Speaker 1: Meaning that you're in the system, and that allows you 511 00:25:33,920 --> 00:25:37,480 Speaker 1: to what go around and do different trunk shows at 512 00:25:37,520 --> 00:25:40,040 Speaker 1: any one of the properties that they have throughout the 513 00:25:40,160 --> 00:25:43,200 Speaker 1: United States, and then based on your numbers and how 514 00:25:43,240 --> 00:25:47,719 Speaker 1: you're performing, that's when there's an opportunity for your brand 515 00:25:47,960 --> 00:25:52,560 Speaker 1: to become a purchase order or a wholesale account. We've 516 00:25:52,560 --> 00:25:55,240 Speaker 1: had a couple of successes with that. One be in particular, 517 00:25:55,640 --> 00:25:58,439 Speaker 1: a young lady by the name of Alexandria, her brand 518 00:25:58,480 --> 00:26:02,280 Speaker 1: FNW Style took that same path and now she is 519 00:26:02,280 --> 00:26:05,439 Speaker 1: a wholesale account and also sold on their dot com. 520 00:26:06,000 --> 00:26:08,920 Speaker 4: Okay yeah, and doing extremely well. 521 00:26:08,960 --> 00:26:11,199 Speaker 1: And she was also blooming Del's just open up an 522 00:26:11,200 --> 00:26:15,760 Speaker 1: outlet store about yesterday actually, and she's in there as well. 523 00:26:16,440 --> 00:26:19,000 Speaker 3: How do some of these partnerships, like with Bloomingdale's and 524 00:26:19,040 --> 00:26:21,639 Speaker 3: I think you do some stuff with a magic in Vegas, Like, 525 00:26:22,280 --> 00:26:25,200 Speaker 3: how do all these different partnerships help you scale Atlanta 526 00:26:25,200 --> 00:26:28,040 Speaker 3: Fashion Week not just locally but also globally and nationally, 527 00:26:28,119 --> 00:26:30,880 Speaker 3: right so that people understand there's a lot of amazing 528 00:26:30,880 --> 00:26:32,280 Speaker 3: stuff going on down here in Atlanta. 529 00:26:32,320 --> 00:26:36,280 Speaker 1: Well, the goal, like I mentioned to you before, has 530 00:26:36,440 --> 00:26:40,440 Speaker 1: always been about the actual designer. We want to see 531 00:26:40,480 --> 00:26:44,840 Speaker 1: our designers succeed and understanding that we are in the South. 532 00:26:45,560 --> 00:26:47,880 Speaker 1: And you know as well as I know that sometimes 533 00:26:47,920 --> 00:26:50,480 Speaker 1: Atlanta and all the creatives that come out of Atlanta 534 00:26:50,640 --> 00:26:52,600 Speaker 1: are considered what like the step child. 535 00:26:53,880 --> 00:26:55,320 Speaker 2: They do it's wrong. Sometimes, they do. 536 00:26:55,240 --> 00:26:58,400 Speaker 1: It's wrong sometime and it's okay, you know, but we continue, 537 00:26:58,640 --> 00:27:02,600 Speaker 1: you know, to push forward, improve how worthy and how 538 00:27:02,640 --> 00:27:05,879 Speaker 1: successful we are and how creative we are. Right, so 539 00:27:06,040 --> 00:27:11,280 Speaker 1: just figuring out what programming is going to benefit that 540 00:27:11,359 --> 00:27:15,080 Speaker 1: designer and then making sure that we protect that designer 541 00:27:15,600 --> 00:27:18,200 Speaker 1: when we execute them through that program, because I don't 542 00:27:18,200 --> 00:27:21,240 Speaker 1: want to put them in a situation where they're being 543 00:27:21,280 --> 00:27:23,280 Speaker 1: set up to fail. I don't want to see that. 544 00:27:23,880 --> 00:27:26,800 Speaker 1: I truly, truly want to see them succeed. And I 545 00:27:26,800 --> 00:27:30,520 Speaker 1: feel like Atlanta have enough talent Atlanta market in general, 546 00:27:30,600 --> 00:27:33,800 Speaker 1: not just the designers that are here, just any independent 547 00:27:33,840 --> 00:27:37,720 Speaker 1: brand that wants to grow and succeed definitely needs to 548 00:27:37,760 --> 00:27:40,960 Speaker 1: look at this market one hundred percent and the platform 549 00:27:41,000 --> 00:27:45,040 Speaker 1: that we're producing for our independent brands. But I will 550 00:27:45,080 --> 00:27:48,879 Speaker 1: say it's exciting to see also too, on two fold, 551 00:27:49,320 --> 00:27:52,920 Speaker 1: that you have major brands that have accumulated over millions 552 00:27:52,960 --> 00:27:56,080 Speaker 1: and millions of dollars saying you know what, I think 553 00:27:56,080 --> 00:27:58,399 Speaker 1: we want to come to Atlanta, Which that is not 554 00:27:58,440 --> 00:28:00,280 Speaker 1: a bad thing because what that's going to do is 555 00:28:00,280 --> 00:28:03,320 Speaker 1: bring more attention to what all our different designers that 556 00:28:03,359 --> 00:28:06,240 Speaker 1: are based here in this market as well and provide 557 00:28:06,240 --> 00:28:07,480 Speaker 1: additional opportunities. 558 00:28:07,800 --> 00:28:09,199 Speaker 2: Okay, now I see it. 559 00:28:09,240 --> 00:28:11,400 Speaker 3: I see it. It's all coming together. Let me ask 560 00:28:11,400 --> 00:28:12,720 Speaker 3: you Angel before we get out of here. So, what 561 00:28:13,160 --> 00:28:16,720 Speaker 3: is a piece of advice or a mantra that you 562 00:28:16,800 --> 00:28:19,159 Speaker 3: kind of go by that's kind of helped guide you 563 00:28:19,200 --> 00:28:20,000 Speaker 3: over this journey? 564 00:28:20,560 --> 00:28:21,000 Speaker 4: You know what. 565 00:28:21,320 --> 00:28:24,480 Speaker 1: I choose to be positive all the time. You know, 566 00:28:24,520 --> 00:28:26,639 Speaker 1: I try not to look at the negative side of 567 00:28:26,680 --> 00:28:30,480 Speaker 1: things at all. If you tell me that this person 568 00:28:30,480 --> 00:28:33,040 Speaker 1: can't do this, I'll show you someone I can. And 569 00:28:33,119 --> 00:28:36,760 Speaker 1: I really truly believe that has positioned me to be 570 00:28:36,840 --> 00:28:40,400 Speaker 1: where I am today. Honestly, I just don't. I don't 571 00:28:40,400 --> 00:28:42,479 Speaker 1: believe in a negativity, especially when it comes to our 572 00:28:42,480 --> 00:28:45,320 Speaker 1: community and our culture. You know, we hear so much 573 00:28:45,520 --> 00:28:48,080 Speaker 1: with me working and pressed. I have a very critical 574 00:28:48,080 --> 00:28:50,080 Speaker 1: eye when I'm looking at the different stories that come 575 00:28:50,120 --> 00:28:54,800 Speaker 1: out and how they're ran. So sometimes it's very challenging 576 00:28:54,880 --> 00:28:57,719 Speaker 1: to watch because I know that, yeah, I see what 577 00:28:57,760 --> 00:28:59,760 Speaker 1: you're saying here, but I know this group of people 578 00:29:00,200 --> 00:29:02,280 Speaker 1: that are doing what you're saying that they can't do. 579 00:29:03,200 --> 00:29:05,880 Speaker 1: So I just choose to see the positive side of things, 580 00:29:05,960 --> 00:29:06,760 Speaker 1: and when I do that. 581 00:29:07,040 --> 00:29:09,760 Speaker 4: Guess what, things just seem to fall in place. 582 00:29:09,960 --> 00:29:11,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know, when you're doing the right thing, the 583 00:29:11,520 --> 00:29:12,200 Speaker 2: right thing to happen. 584 00:29:12,320 --> 00:29:15,520 Speaker 1: Yeah, and yeah, it's hard, listen, it's hard. Trying to 585 00:29:15,520 --> 00:29:17,960 Speaker 1: build up something like an Atlanta Fashion Week and a 586 00:29:18,000 --> 00:29:20,960 Speaker 1: platform like that is not an easy feat. But I 587 00:29:20,960 --> 00:29:22,840 Speaker 1: think God put this in my spirit, in my DNA 588 00:29:22,920 --> 00:29:25,680 Speaker 1: to do this, and I'm excited to do it, and 589 00:29:25,720 --> 00:29:28,080 Speaker 1: I'm taking it by the rain and I'm just going 590 00:29:28,120 --> 00:29:29,840 Speaker 1: to build it up as much as I can. I 591 00:29:29,960 --> 00:29:31,840 Speaker 1: may be going slower than a lot of people will 592 00:29:31,880 --> 00:29:33,760 Speaker 1: want me to go, but I'm going at the pace 593 00:29:33,800 --> 00:29:35,640 Speaker 1: that I know that I can go, and I'm going 594 00:29:35,720 --> 00:29:38,360 Speaker 1: to be very specific about the decisions that I make 595 00:29:38,400 --> 00:29:42,560 Speaker 1: to ensure that one it benefits the designers and that 596 00:29:42,640 --> 00:29:43,760 Speaker 1: this becomes a legacy. 597 00:29:44,080 --> 00:29:44,320 Speaker 2: Yeah. 598 00:29:44,440 --> 00:29:47,080 Speaker 3: You know, there's nothing that exists that didn't start as 599 00:29:47,080 --> 00:29:48,320 Speaker 3: an idea or thought. 600 00:29:48,320 --> 00:29:48,560 Speaker 2: First. 601 00:29:48,600 --> 00:29:50,320 Speaker 3: The most beautiful thing about the human mind is the 602 00:29:50,360 --> 00:29:53,080 Speaker 3: ability to kind of manifest things and the thoughts and 603 00:29:53,080 --> 00:29:55,280 Speaker 3: make them in the physical reality. And when you look around, 604 00:29:55,320 --> 00:29:57,920 Speaker 3: literally every single thing that you look at is something 605 00:29:57,920 --> 00:29:59,600 Speaker 3: that started with a thought. In Atlanta Fashion we can 606 00:29:59,640 --> 00:30:02,680 Speaker 3: started with thought. Now it's evolving and bringing in other 607 00:30:02,680 --> 00:30:05,239 Speaker 3: people that feel the same way, and some congratulations on 608 00:30:05,280 --> 00:30:07,560 Speaker 3: all that and amazing work. How can people find out 609 00:30:07,600 --> 00:30:09,480 Speaker 3: a more about Atlanta Fashion Week and connect with it 610 00:30:09,480 --> 00:30:10,200 Speaker 3: and get involved? 611 00:30:10,320 --> 00:30:13,600 Speaker 1: Sure you can visit ww dot Atlanta Fashion Week dot 612 00:30:13,640 --> 00:30:17,479 Speaker 1: co and then also follow us on Instagram at ATLFW, 613 00:30:18,280 --> 00:30:22,880 Speaker 1: Facebook at ATLFW, and Twitter at ATFW. Well X, I'm 614 00:30:22,920 --> 00:30:25,040 Speaker 1: sorry at ATFW Underscore Week. 615 00:30:25,400 --> 00:30:27,960 Speaker 2: Okay, well, thank you so much, Angela. This has been amazing. 616 00:30:27,960 --> 00:30:30,760 Speaker 3: Congratulations on fashion Week. We can't wait to see it. 617 00:30:30,800 --> 00:30:36,160 Speaker 3: Y'all go out and support and that's the pod. Also, yeah, 618 00:30:36,680 --> 00:30:38,920 Speaker 3: you've been listing the button Nomics and I'm your host, 619 00:30:39,080 --> 00:30:41,760 Speaker 3: Brandon Butler. Comments feedback. Want to be a part of 620 00:30:41,760 --> 00:30:44,320 Speaker 3: the show, send us an email today at hello at 621 00:30:44,320 --> 00:30:47,640 Speaker 3: Butterdomics dot com. Butter Nomics is produced in Atlanta, Georgia 622 00:30:47,680 --> 00:30:51,000 Speaker 3: at iHeartMedia by Ramsey, with marketing support from Queen and Nike. 623 00:30:51,320 --> 00:30:54,480 Speaker 3: Music provided by mister Hanky. If you haven't already, hit 624 00:30:54,480 --> 00:30:57,080 Speaker 3: that subscribe button and never miss an episode, and be 625 00:30:57,120 --> 00:30:59,360 Speaker 3: sure to follow us on all our social platforms at 626 00:30:59,360 --> 00:31:02,280 Speaker 3: butter dot a a t L. Listen to buttter NoMix 627 00:31:02,320 --> 00:31:05,320 Speaker 3: on the iHeartRadio, app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get 628 00:31:05,320 --> 00:31:06,040 Speaker 3: your podcasts.