1 00:00:00,840 --> 00:00:02,640 Speaker 1: I try not to look at the negative side of 2 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:06,440 Speaker 1: things at all. If you tell me that this person 3 00:00:06,480 --> 00:00:09,039 Speaker 1: can't do this, I'll show you someone I can. And 4 00:00:09,119 --> 00:00:12,760 Speaker 1: I really truly believe that has positioned me to be 5 00:00:12,840 --> 00:00:13,800 Speaker 1: where I am today. 6 00:00:14,120 --> 00:00:15,600 Speaker 2: Honestly, I just don't. 7 00:00:16,120 --> 00:00:18,239 Speaker 1: I don't believe in the negativity, especially when it comes 8 00:00:18,239 --> 00:00:20,680 Speaker 1: to our community and our culture. You know, we hear 9 00:00:20,800 --> 00:00:23,360 Speaker 1: so much with me working and pressed, I have a 10 00:00:23,480 --> 00:00:25,760 Speaker 1: very critical eye when I'm looking at the different stories 11 00:00:25,760 --> 00:00:28,360 Speaker 1: that come out and how they're ran. Yeah, I see 12 00:00:28,360 --> 00:00:30,320 Speaker 1: what you're saying here, but I know this group of 13 00:00:30,320 --> 00:00:32,479 Speaker 1: people over here that are doing what you're saying that 14 00:00:32,520 --> 00:00:35,280 Speaker 1: they can't do. So I just choose to see the 15 00:00:35,280 --> 00:00:38,040 Speaker 1: positive side of things. And when I do that, guess 16 00:00:38,080 --> 00:00:40,480 Speaker 1: what things just seeing them all in place. 17 00:00:45,960 --> 00:00:48,400 Speaker 3: Hey, everybody, welcome to another episode of butter Nomics. I 18 00:00:48,440 --> 00:00:50,720 Speaker 3: am your host, Brandon Butler, founder and CEO of Butter 19 00:00:50,800 --> 00:00:54,400 Speaker 3: atl and we have a very very special guest today 20 00:00:54,880 --> 00:00:57,640 Speaker 3: in the studio with us, the one the only, Miss 21 00:00:57,720 --> 00:00:59,760 Speaker 3: Angela Watts. Angela, how are you doing. 22 00:01:00,120 --> 00:01:02,320 Speaker 2: I'm doing well. Thank you Thank you for having me. 23 00:01:02,640 --> 00:01:05,399 Speaker 3: Good good, Thank you for coming out now. You know 24 00:01:05,440 --> 00:01:07,479 Speaker 3: you're doing a lot of stuff out here in these streets. Now, 25 00:01:07,480 --> 00:01:09,520 Speaker 3: you know we didn't see you out here making some movies. 26 00:01:09,560 --> 00:01:11,360 Speaker 2: Are watching you. 27 00:01:11,319 --> 00:01:13,240 Speaker 3: Best believe I'm watching, you know, saying the moves you've 28 00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:16,920 Speaker 3: been making, and you know you've you've you've built this thing, 29 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:20,400 Speaker 3: Atlanta Fashion Week into really what's kind of becoming a 30 00:01:20,480 --> 00:01:23,039 Speaker 3: new you know, cultural stable for the city. And we 31 00:01:23,040 --> 00:01:24,880 Speaker 3: don't get into that, but real quick, though, you started 32 00:01:24,880 --> 00:01:27,040 Speaker 3: in tech, yes I did. How did you end up 33 00:01:27,080 --> 00:01:29,600 Speaker 3: going from tech to running you know, the biggest fashion 34 00:01:29,640 --> 00:01:30,280 Speaker 3: week in Atlanta? 35 00:01:30,920 --> 00:01:34,000 Speaker 1: Well, when I was in college, I started. I went 36 00:01:34,040 --> 00:01:39,280 Speaker 1: to Fort Valley State and my initial degree that I 37 00:01:39,319 --> 00:01:41,680 Speaker 1: signed up for you, obviously, you have to identify that 38 00:01:41,760 --> 00:01:45,200 Speaker 1: right once you get into school was to become a 39 00:01:45,280 --> 00:01:51,000 Speaker 1: computer information technology specialist. Eventually, I left for a Valley 40 00:01:51,280 --> 00:01:57,120 Speaker 1: and transferred to Georgia State due to personal reasons and 41 00:01:57,560 --> 00:02:01,240 Speaker 1: some situations that happened on campus, unfortunate for a friend 42 00:02:01,280 --> 00:02:06,080 Speaker 1: of ours, right of mine, and I ended up getting. 43 00:02:05,760 --> 00:02:07,800 Speaker 2: A job at this place called TRX. 44 00:02:08,080 --> 00:02:11,400 Speaker 1: Initially, when I got that position, which I knew it 45 00:02:11,440 --> 00:02:13,400 Speaker 1: was had something to do with tech, it was more 46 00:02:13,480 --> 00:02:17,800 Speaker 1: customer service, but it was customer service where I would 47 00:02:17,840 --> 00:02:20,680 Speaker 1: help the internal staff if something went wrong with their 48 00:02:20,760 --> 00:02:25,079 Speaker 1: laptop or with their computer, very simple fixes with the program. 49 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:28,680 Speaker 1: Eventually I realized that they had a server team, and 50 00:02:29,160 --> 00:02:33,800 Speaker 1: I am a very ambitious person, so I decided that, hey, 51 00:02:34,080 --> 00:02:38,959 Speaker 1: I am going to go. I started having conversations with 52 00:02:39,360 --> 00:02:41,880 Speaker 1: the different staff members that were on the server team 53 00:02:41,880 --> 00:02:45,560 Speaker 1: at that time and inquiring about how can I become 54 00:02:45,560 --> 00:02:48,720 Speaker 1: a part of this team, you know, researching myself learning 55 00:02:48,720 --> 00:02:50,520 Speaker 1: that oh my god, you can make X amount of 56 00:02:50,560 --> 00:02:54,160 Speaker 1: dollars per year. I wanted to get into that space, 57 00:02:54,240 --> 00:02:58,320 Speaker 1: so I started doing my education building everport with the 58 00:02:58,360 --> 00:03:01,200 Speaker 1: manager and the team over there, and eventually they knew 59 00:03:01,200 --> 00:03:03,880 Speaker 1: my interest and allowed me to get in that position. 60 00:03:04,320 --> 00:03:05,799 Speaker 1: And once I got in that position, I worked that 61 00:03:05,840 --> 00:03:09,000 Speaker 1: position for seven years, which was the Microsoft Stortivice system engineer, 62 00:03:10,240 --> 00:03:13,480 Speaker 1: and then eventually I got tired of that because I 63 00:03:13,560 --> 00:03:15,960 Speaker 1: was like, I like to go out, I like to 64 00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:19,880 Speaker 1: have fun. I like to socialize and engauge. And of course, 65 00:03:19,919 --> 00:03:22,000 Speaker 1: if you're out and you're on the server team and 66 00:03:22,160 --> 00:03:25,680 Speaker 1: something happens with one of the servers, guess what you're. 67 00:03:25,520 --> 00:03:27,280 Speaker 2: Gonna have to got to go in. You got to 68 00:03:27,320 --> 00:03:27,679 Speaker 2: go in. 69 00:03:27,880 --> 00:03:30,840 Speaker 1: And I kept getting called in and I was like, Okay, 70 00:03:30,880 --> 00:03:33,480 Speaker 1: this is not what I want. And eventually I started 71 00:03:33,480 --> 00:03:36,960 Speaker 1: doing additional research for other industries and that's how I 72 00:03:37,080 --> 00:03:40,560 Speaker 1: transition into public relations marketing. 73 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:44,160 Speaker 3: Okay, so were you so now you're doing Atlanta Fashion 74 00:03:44,160 --> 00:03:45,440 Speaker 3: We now I gotta ask like, were you like the 75 00:03:45,520 --> 00:03:47,880 Speaker 3: stylish tech person at work? Like, were you coming in 76 00:03:47,920 --> 00:03:49,840 Speaker 3: there stepping on their throats back in the day? Of course, 77 00:03:50,200 --> 00:03:52,800 Speaker 3: so it was always in you, it was always in me. Okay, 78 00:03:52,880 --> 00:03:55,240 Speaker 3: So how did Atlanta Fashion Leek start. 79 00:03:55,120 --> 00:03:59,640 Speaker 1: Well back into So I got laid off in two 80 00:03:59,680 --> 00:04:02,480 Speaker 1: thousand and six, but I will tell you in two 81 00:04:02,480 --> 00:04:05,240 Speaker 1: thousand and five, A start learning more about New York 82 00:04:05,240 --> 00:04:10,040 Speaker 1: Fashion Week and that just totally drew in my interest 83 00:04:10,160 --> 00:04:12,960 Speaker 1: and I was like, okay, hey, I Atlanta doesn't have 84 00:04:13,000 --> 00:04:13,760 Speaker 1: a fashion week. 85 00:04:14,080 --> 00:04:17,480 Speaker 2: How can I bring that here? So maybe two thousand 86 00:04:17,480 --> 00:04:20,440 Speaker 2: and two to two thousand and five, right before I 87 00:04:20,440 --> 00:04:22,080 Speaker 2: got laid off, I was doing promotions. 88 00:04:22,360 --> 00:04:24,920 Speaker 1: We started the first I worked with a guy named 89 00:04:24,960 --> 00:04:28,320 Speaker 1: Darius dje Class and a few others and we started 90 00:04:28,360 --> 00:04:30,080 Speaker 1: the first day party in the city of Atlanta. 91 00:04:30,400 --> 00:04:30,560 Speaker 4: Oh. 92 00:04:30,720 --> 00:04:32,520 Speaker 1: So that allowed me to dip my toe into the 93 00:04:32,520 --> 00:04:33,960 Speaker 1: whole promotion PR space. 94 00:04:34,040 --> 00:04:36,160 Speaker 4: So all these grass walls your fault. Then you're telling 95 00:04:36,160 --> 00:04:37,159 Speaker 4: me all these. 96 00:04:37,800 --> 00:04:41,480 Speaker 2: We didn't have. We did not have grass walls back then, right. 97 00:04:41,760 --> 00:04:45,360 Speaker 4: Yeah he did. There were no grass walls, I can confirm, right, But. 98 00:04:45,520 --> 00:04:49,160 Speaker 1: You know, obviously the guy Darius Miller was the one 99 00:04:49,200 --> 00:04:53,599 Speaker 1: that was a brain channel behind that concept, and he 100 00:04:53,720 --> 00:04:55,760 Speaker 1: knew that I wanted to get into pr because I 101 00:04:55,760 --> 00:04:57,719 Speaker 1: start talking about it and he's like, well, you come on, 102 00:04:57,760 --> 00:04:59,760 Speaker 1: you can beat the publicist for the event. I said, sure, 103 00:05:00,080 --> 00:05:03,320 Speaker 1: did not know what I was doing, but I started 104 00:05:03,320 --> 00:05:08,000 Speaker 1: to research again fashion, looking at entertainment, music, just kind 105 00:05:08,000 --> 00:05:11,960 Speaker 1: of exploring, looking at everything, knowing that the music was virgeoning. 106 00:05:12,120 --> 00:05:15,680 Speaker 1: What actually just at not even at his peak, but 107 00:05:15,720 --> 00:05:18,000 Speaker 1: it was like the thing Atlanta was the market. 108 00:05:18,480 --> 00:05:20,040 Speaker 2: So, knowing that. 109 00:05:20,080 --> 00:05:23,359 Speaker 1: I could not produce fashion just was not there at 110 00:05:23,400 --> 00:05:27,320 Speaker 1: the time, I would just do smaller events, right for myself, 111 00:05:27,680 --> 00:05:30,600 Speaker 1: working with motophor for working with all these different boutiques 112 00:05:30,600 --> 00:05:34,200 Speaker 1: to produce fashion shows and really honestly coining it as 113 00:05:34,240 --> 00:05:39,400 Speaker 1: my own fashion week. Eventually, what happened in twenty thirteen, 114 00:05:39,640 --> 00:05:41,800 Speaker 1: I came across a young lady that was actually one 115 00:05:41,800 --> 00:05:45,880 Speaker 1: of the producers and founders for Charleston Fashion Week and 116 00:05:46,200 --> 00:05:49,720 Speaker 1: we weren't on the board together Fashion Group International. 117 00:05:50,480 --> 00:05:51,520 Speaker 2: That's how we connected. 118 00:05:52,279 --> 00:05:56,560 Speaker 1: She told me her history, and obviously everybody knew back 119 00:05:56,600 --> 00:05:59,919 Speaker 1: then that Charleston Fashion Week was the show for the South, 120 00:06:00,440 --> 00:06:02,760 Speaker 1: and I was like, well, I've been doing these events 121 00:06:02,800 --> 00:06:05,120 Speaker 1: since two thousand and six, but I haven't really brought 122 00:06:05,160 --> 00:06:07,520 Speaker 1: it together to make it where it has a lot 123 00:06:07,560 --> 00:06:08,120 Speaker 1: of impact. 124 00:06:08,440 --> 00:06:09,560 Speaker 2: How can we do that here? 125 00:06:10,120 --> 00:06:13,640 Speaker 1: And that's when we decided to put everything under right 126 00:06:13,680 --> 00:06:16,880 Speaker 1: Trade Atlanta and then start producing the shows in a 127 00:06:16,960 --> 00:06:21,080 Speaker 1: more organized way that resonated with or resembled New York 128 00:06:21,080 --> 00:06:21,680 Speaker 1: Fashion Week. 129 00:06:22,000 --> 00:06:22,720 Speaker 4: Gotcha? Got you? 130 00:06:23,320 --> 00:06:25,720 Speaker 3: So you kind of have this vision of Atlanta kind 131 00:06:25,760 --> 00:06:28,360 Speaker 3: of becoming the fifth fashion capital of the world, right, 132 00:06:28,920 --> 00:06:31,000 Speaker 3: you know, why do you think that's important for you know, 133 00:06:31,040 --> 00:06:34,520 Speaker 3: a city like Atlanta, especially knowing that, as we always say, 134 00:06:34,600 --> 00:06:37,080 Speaker 3: land influences everything, But like, why is it important that 135 00:06:37,120 --> 00:06:39,680 Speaker 3: Atlanta becomes the fifth fashion capital of the world. 136 00:06:39,839 --> 00:06:43,640 Speaker 1: I just think we've done amazing at every creative discipline 137 00:06:43,680 --> 00:06:45,000 Speaker 1: that is out there at this time. 138 00:06:45,200 --> 00:06:45,920 Speaker 2: Think about it. 139 00:06:46,040 --> 00:06:50,160 Speaker 1: You know, nobody would have ever ever thought that music 140 00:06:50,320 --> 00:06:53,000 Speaker 1: would have taken a stronghold on this market like it did. 141 00:06:53,640 --> 00:06:55,840 Speaker 1: Nobody would have never thought that fem and television would 142 00:06:55,839 --> 00:06:58,800 Speaker 1: have taken a stronghold like it did. So knowing that 143 00:06:58,960 --> 00:07:02,440 Speaker 1: and identifying that that we have so many great creatives 144 00:07:02,440 --> 00:07:04,440 Speaker 1: in that space. We also have them in fashion and 145 00:07:04,480 --> 00:07:08,080 Speaker 1: we have them in art, and we are growing into 146 00:07:08,120 --> 00:07:11,000 Speaker 1: that space. You know, I think I mentioned to you before, 147 00:07:11,680 --> 00:07:14,520 Speaker 1: the first week in October is shaping up to be 148 00:07:14,840 --> 00:07:19,080 Speaker 1: quote unquote Atlanta Design Week. Because you have Atlanta Fashion Week, 149 00:07:19,120 --> 00:07:22,080 Speaker 1: you have Atlanta Art Fair, you have Atlanta Art Week, 150 00:07:22,560 --> 00:07:25,320 Speaker 1: you have Elevate which is with the City of Atlanta, 151 00:07:25,640 --> 00:07:28,800 Speaker 1: and then you also have what Face, which is Fashion, Art, 152 00:07:28,840 --> 00:07:32,480 Speaker 1: Culture and Education, which is part of Fulson County led 153 00:07:32,520 --> 00:07:35,480 Speaker 1: by David Manuel. But then even more so that our 154 00:07:35,560 --> 00:07:38,760 Speaker 1: recently learned we also have Atlanta Design Festival that's taking 155 00:07:38,760 --> 00:07:41,720 Speaker 1: place last week is September, going into the first week 156 00:07:41,760 --> 00:07:46,320 Speaker 1: in October. Atlanta is ready for that discipline. It's time 157 00:07:46,800 --> 00:07:50,000 Speaker 1: fashion in art drives those other two disciplines and has 158 00:07:50,040 --> 00:07:52,400 Speaker 1: for a very long time. We have so many different 159 00:07:52,400 --> 00:07:54,840 Speaker 1: creatives that are here in this market that are making 160 00:07:54,880 --> 00:07:58,000 Speaker 1: an impact but honestly are not getting the recognition. But 161 00:07:58,040 --> 00:08:00,400 Speaker 1: it's just time for a platform to or by that 162 00:08:00,440 --> 00:08:01,320 Speaker 1: recognition for them. 163 00:08:01,840 --> 00:08:05,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, what do you think makes Atlanta's you know, approach 164 00:08:05,080 --> 00:08:08,119 Speaker 3: to fashion so special because again, for a long time, 165 00:08:08,160 --> 00:08:11,160 Speaker 3: if you wanted to do something in fashion, it was 166 00:08:11,160 --> 00:08:12,520 Speaker 3: like you got to go to New York, you got 167 00:08:12,520 --> 00:08:14,480 Speaker 3: to go like to some of these other areas. You know, 168 00:08:14,480 --> 00:08:15,800 Speaker 3: if you want to do something in tech, you had 169 00:08:15,840 --> 00:08:17,560 Speaker 3: to go to San Francisco, right, if you want to 170 00:08:17,560 --> 00:08:19,720 Speaker 3: do something in finance, you had to go But like 171 00:08:19,760 --> 00:08:21,760 Speaker 3: now all these things are possible here. Like, you know, 172 00:08:21,800 --> 00:08:24,560 Speaker 3: what do you think is so special about Atlanta's fashion scene? 173 00:08:25,120 --> 00:08:26,920 Speaker 1: You know what, I don't know if it's anything that's special. 174 00:08:26,960 --> 00:08:29,480 Speaker 1: I think it's the belief Atlanta has always been at 175 00:08:29,480 --> 00:08:31,880 Speaker 1: a springboard to those other markets and has been for 176 00:08:31,920 --> 00:08:34,000 Speaker 1: a very long time. So when you think about, like, 177 00:08:34,120 --> 00:08:37,440 Speaker 1: our designers that we have here are just the entrepreneurs 178 00:08:37,800 --> 00:08:41,200 Speaker 1: that we have here, right, we believe in ourselves and 179 00:08:41,440 --> 00:08:45,760 Speaker 1: we obviously Atlanta is a test market to try things out, 180 00:08:46,160 --> 00:08:49,160 Speaker 1: but once we accomplish those we do so great at them. 181 00:08:49,240 --> 00:08:52,280 Speaker 1: And I do believe that our designers and our visual 182 00:08:52,360 --> 00:08:56,640 Speaker 1: artists in these particular industries have chosen to choose Atlanta 183 00:08:56,679 --> 00:09:01,600 Speaker 1: as their home and the way that we're leading in 184 00:09:01,640 --> 00:09:04,360 Speaker 1: regards to our design like I give all the glory 185 00:09:04,400 --> 00:09:08,480 Speaker 1: to New York, right, just like how Lil Yati said, yes, 186 00:09:08,520 --> 00:09:10,839 Speaker 1: they have, they led in. 187 00:09:10,840 --> 00:09:12,319 Speaker 2: So many different ways. 188 00:09:12,360 --> 00:09:15,040 Speaker 1: However, I do feel like the way that Atlanta has 189 00:09:15,160 --> 00:09:18,319 Speaker 1: moved over the last maybe ten fifteen years, we are 190 00:09:18,320 --> 00:09:21,760 Speaker 1: continuously set in trends and continue to do that and 191 00:09:21,800 --> 00:09:23,120 Speaker 1: being recognized for that. 192 00:09:23,400 --> 00:09:25,680 Speaker 2: Now with fashion and visual arts. 193 00:09:25,760 --> 00:09:40,240 Speaker 3: Okay, now, what all is included in Atlanta Fashion Week? 194 00:09:40,280 --> 00:09:42,880 Speaker 3: You all do these events, There's like multiple moments like 195 00:09:43,000 --> 00:09:45,280 Speaker 3: what all is included in Atlanta Fashion Week? 196 00:09:45,520 --> 00:09:49,080 Speaker 1: We approach our show as a festival, right because we 197 00:09:49,120 --> 00:09:51,800 Speaker 1: want all of our individuals, We want all of our 198 00:09:51,840 --> 00:09:53,840 Speaker 1: guests that come out to our event to have a 199 00:09:53,920 --> 00:09:58,640 Speaker 1: great time outside of just the runway shows. So I'm 200 00:09:58,640 --> 00:10:01,080 Speaker 1: gonna talk about it from two different perspectives. From the 201 00:10:01,120 --> 00:10:04,480 Speaker 1: consumer perspective, you're going to get runway shows, You're going 202 00:10:04,520 --> 00:10:07,559 Speaker 1: to get to meet new designers and pop up experiences. 203 00:10:07,800 --> 00:10:10,480 Speaker 1: You're going to get to attend different parties that are 204 00:10:10,520 --> 00:10:14,000 Speaker 1: curated specifically for Atlanta Fashion Week. You're going to get 205 00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:19,520 Speaker 1: a chance to also experience a nightlife with Atlanta Fashion Week. Now, 206 00:10:19,520 --> 00:10:22,679 Speaker 1: from a designer perspective, what makes us different is that 207 00:10:22,720 --> 00:10:27,080 Speaker 1: we do tend to target more direct to consumer designers, right, 208 00:10:27,720 --> 00:10:32,640 Speaker 1: we also allow those designers to participate in a fashion 209 00:10:32,880 --> 00:10:38,640 Speaker 1: show that is highly produced, very similar or even better 210 00:10:38,679 --> 00:10:40,880 Speaker 1: than New York. But then you also get a chance 211 00:10:40,960 --> 00:10:45,120 Speaker 1: to sell and make money, and so we incorporate that 212 00:10:45,160 --> 00:10:48,239 Speaker 1: business aspect in it because we understand for our designers 213 00:10:48,840 --> 00:10:51,240 Speaker 1: that it's more than just showing. You need to be 214 00:10:51,240 --> 00:10:54,400 Speaker 1: able to touch that consumer, build a relation with that consumer, 215 00:10:54,760 --> 00:10:57,800 Speaker 1: and also grow your brand and even scale for that weekend. 216 00:10:57,880 --> 00:10:59,160 Speaker 2: And so we've been doing that. 217 00:10:59,160 --> 00:11:01,720 Speaker 1: That's always been like the model for our show for 218 00:11:01,800 --> 00:11:05,160 Speaker 1: our participating designers since we started. In regards to the 219 00:11:05,200 --> 00:11:07,760 Speaker 1: actual week though, you know, if we get if I 220 00:11:07,800 --> 00:11:11,240 Speaker 1: touch on that. October second is our opening night party 221 00:11:11,760 --> 00:11:14,600 Speaker 1: and we're going to be honoring the founders of Fubo. Okay, 222 00:11:14,880 --> 00:11:17,680 Speaker 1: October third and fourth are the runway shows. We have 223 00:11:17,720 --> 00:11:21,520 Speaker 1: shows that are happening from eleven am to eight pm. 224 00:11:22,240 --> 00:11:25,600 Speaker 1: We just announced our two feature designers that are going 225 00:11:25,679 --> 00:11:29,720 Speaker 1: to close out each day. On Thursday, October third, Kouji 226 00:11:30,040 --> 00:11:33,320 Speaker 1: is coming from New York in Australia to showcase their 227 00:11:33,440 --> 00:11:37,680 Speaker 1: latest collection. And then on Friday, October fourth, Fubu is 228 00:11:37,720 --> 00:11:40,920 Speaker 1: relaunching state side. A lot of people think that Fubu 229 00:11:40,960 --> 00:11:44,240 Speaker 1: had left and they were no longer around, but in reality, 230 00:11:44,280 --> 00:11:49,040 Speaker 1: they just switched their direction and went overseas and penetrated 231 00:11:49,120 --> 00:11:52,240 Speaker 1: that market. But the cool thing about it the gen 232 00:11:52,360 --> 00:11:56,160 Speaker 1: Z audience. They are so into these nineties brands, these 233 00:11:56,240 --> 00:11:59,120 Speaker 1: nineties and two thousand brands, all of them are coming 234 00:11:59,160 --> 00:12:03,439 Speaker 1: back from avery. Last night at the Trap Museum's event Wilato, 235 00:12:03,880 --> 00:12:07,920 Speaker 1: she literally had on a Pelly Pelly jacket and then 236 00:12:08,160 --> 00:12:12,160 Speaker 1: obviously the Cougie's many calls that I got yesterday just 237 00:12:12,200 --> 00:12:15,920 Speaker 1: from that announcement, I cannot wait to wear my Cougie sweater. 238 00:12:16,720 --> 00:12:18,800 Speaker 1: It was like, I gotta go buy a new Coougie sweater. 239 00:12:19,080 --> 00:12:22,960 Speaker 1: My boyfriend got an original piece from Australia from Cujie. 240 00:12:23,000 --> 00:12:25,320 Speaker 1: He's going to wear that to the show. Like the 241 00:12:25,440 --> 00:12:28,400 Speaker 1: excitement around these brands is what's making me happy and 242 00:12:28,440 --> 00:12:31,680 Speaker 1: fueling my energy for it because I cannot wait to 243 00:12:31,720 --> 00:12:34,200 Speaker 1: see these brands have the glory again. They did so 244 00:12:34,320 --> 00:12:36,719 Speaker 1: much for our culture, they did so much for our community, 245 00:12:37,080 --> 00:12:39,280 Speaker 1: and to see that they could possibly come back in 246 00:12:39,320 --> 00:12:42,319 Speaker 1: a major way and also be launched here in Atlanta 247 00:12:42,480 --> 00:12:44,040 Speaker 1: and get that glory here in Atlanta. 248 00:12:44,559 --> 00:12:45,920 Speaker 2: Just it's the cherry on top. 249 00:12:47,240 --> 00:12:49,160 Speaker 3: I gotta bust out my old ax Shackett, you know 250 00:12:49,160 --> 00:12:51,560 Speaker 3: what I'm saying. I thought one somewhere up in the closet. 251 00:12:51,559 --> 00:12:53,480 Speaker 3: I'm gonna need to get that thing ready for Atlanta 252 00:12:53,520 --> 00:12:55,800 Speaker 3: Fashion Weekend. Absolutely, and I think it's amazing too to 253 00:12:55,840 --> 00:12:57,160 Speaker 3: your point, like a lot of these brands are kind 254 00:12:57,160 --> 00:12:59,160 Speaker 3: of starting to come full circle. Yeah, you know, I've 255 00:12:59,360 --> 00:13:01,320 Speaker 3: kind of noticed that too in culture that you're starting 256 00:13:01,320 --> 00:13:02,920 Speaker 3: to see more people kind of, you know, bring back 257 00:13:02,920 --> 00:13:05,800 Speaker 3: that nineties vibe, you know, some of the looks, the clothes. 258 00:13:05,840 --> 00:13:07,839 Speaker 3: I saw something the other day online where people were 259 00:13:07,840 --> 00:13:11,559 Speaker 3: talking about the the oldest Charlotte hornet starter jacket. It 260 00:13:11,840 --> 00:13:13,160 Speaker 3: was like, you know, if you had to have one 261 00:13:13,160 --> 00:13:15,080 Speaker 3: of these things growing up, because it was just one 262 00:13:15,120 --> 00:13:16,840 Speaker 3: of those symbols, like people had never seen those kind 263 00:13:16,840 --> 00:13:19,640 Speaker 3: of colors come together before, and like everybody kind of 264 00:13:19,679 --> 00:13:21,920 Speaker 3: want to have one. What's your like favorite you know, 265 00:13:22,000 --> 00:13:25,120 Speaker 3: most you know, favorite kind of most nostalgic you know brand. 266 00:13:25,120 --> 00:13:27,079 Speaker 3: I know you talked about Koojie and liking to see that, 267 00:13:27,120 --> 00:13:29,440 Speaker 3: but what's kind of that favorite you know brand for 268 00:13:29,480 --> 00:13:30,800 Speaker 3: you from back in the day that you want to 269 00:13:30,800 --> 00:13:32,040 Speaker 3: see come back for me. 270 00:13:33,000 --> 00:13:37,319 Speaker 1: Oh, there are several, but I would I always love sneakers, 271 00:13:37,720 --> 00:13:41,400 Speaker 1: so I would do the juicy cutour Okay sweatsuit, that 272 00:13:41,600 --> 00:13:45,080 Speaker 1: was my thing. I love the juicy cuatur sweatsuit, so 273 00:13:45,440 --> 00:13:48,360 Speaker 1: I will have to go to that. The Bealore sweatsuit. 274 00:13:48,480 --> 00:13:51,840 Speaker 2: Yeah. Oh you know what I had me a women 275 00:13:52,000 --> 00:13:53,120 Speaker 2: and it was the good on women. 276 00:13:53,200 --> 00:13:55,000 Speaker 4: Oh yeah, they always looked good. It was a Charlotte 277 00:13:55,040 --> 00:13:56,640 Speaker 4: Juicy couturre. You always doing a lot for the culture 278 00:13:56,679 --> 00:13:57,559 Speaker 4: back in the day. 279 00:13:58,400 --> 00:14:00,600 Speaker 3: Now, you know again you've taken in and fashion week 280 00:14:00,600 --> 00:14:02,760 Speaker 3: over these last ten plus years that you've been doing it, 281 00:14:03,120 --> 00:14:05,000 Speaker 3: and it's really kind of grown into something it started, 282 00:14:05,040 --> 00:14:06,960 Speaker 3: you know, it was one thing. Now is draws you know, 283 00:14:07,040 --> 00:14:10,520 Speaker 3: thousands of people and and you know artists and creators 284 00:14:10,559 --> 00:14:13,600 Speaker 3: and fashion designers and the public. Like, what were some 285 00:14:13,679 --> 00:14:15,680 Speaker 3: of the things you did that kind of you know, 286 00:14:15,760 --> 00:14:17,760 Speaker 3: made the biggest difference. I think a lot of times 287 00:14:18,280 --> 00:14:20,280 Speaker 3: when you're doing something you can't always connect the dots 288 00:14:20,320 --> 00:14:21,880 Speaker 3: looking for but you can always kind connect the dots 289 00:14:21,880 --> 00:14:23,360 Speaker 3: when you look backwards, right and. 290 00:14:23,320 --> 00:14:24,160 Speaker 4: When you think about it. 291 00:14:24,200 --> 00:14:25,760 Speaker 3: Like a lot of times, business is kind of a 292 00:14:25,800 --> 00:14:28,560 Speaker 3: series of as I say, like you know, hills and plateaus, 293 00:14:28,640 --> 00:14:30,640 Speaker 3: right like this, it's kind of slow sometimes and things 294 00:14:30,680 --> 00:14:32,840 Speaker 3: are just working your grinding. Then you have kind of 295 00:14:32,840 --> 00:14:35,600 Speaker 3: these inflection points. What were some of those inflection points 296 00:14:35,600 --> 00:14:38,080 Speaker 3: for you that kind of you know, helped Atlanta Fashion 297 00:14:38,120 --> 00:14:40,880 Speaker 3: we break through. Was it a certain designer getting involved 298 00:14:40,960 --> 00:14:42,560 Speaker 3: or was it a certain person that showed up at 299 00:14:42,560 --> 00:14:44,400 Speaker 3: a show? Like when you kind of look back at it. 300 00:14:45,320 --> 00:14:47,760 Speaker 1: When I look back at it, I would have to 301 00:14:47,880 --> 00:14:52,120 Speaker 1: say that I do contribute it to my team and 302 00:14:52,160 --> 00:14:57,080 Speaker 1: then also to I mean, I'm a publicist, right, so 303 00:14:57,320 --> 00:15:01,280 Speaker 1: I built many, many, many, many relationships over the course 304 00:15:01,320 --> 00:15:05,440 Speaker 1: of the years in all types of industries. So being 305 00:15:05,560 --> 00:15:09,720 Speaker 1: consistent with the production, even though I have to say 306 00:15:10,720 --> 00:15:14,120 Speaker 1: it is sometimes very challenging. I'm an entrepreneur trying to 307 00:15:14,240 --> 00:15:17,280 Speaker 1: run an PR marketing agency, but then also trying to 308 00:15:17,280 --> 00:15:20,880 Speaker 1: build this brand that I visioned to be a multimillion 309 00:15:20,920 --> 00:15:23,560 Speaker 1: dollar brand that will be a brand that would be 310 00:15:23,560 --> 00:15:26,520 Speaker 1: a legacy brand that will outlive me, right, And so 311 00:15:26,560 --> 00:15:29,480 Speaker 1: it gets challenging trying to figure out like, Okay, where 312 00:15:29,480 --> 00:15:33,040 Speaker 1: do I spend the most time at right, But essentially, 313 00:15:33,280 --> 00:15:35,960 Speaker 1: you know, when we did one of our shows at 314 00:15:37,080 --> 00:15:40,240 Speaker 1: the w Hotel and that was actually probably twenty thirteen, 315 00:15:41,320 --> 00:15:45,040 Speaker 1: the way that Barter College at that time came around 316 00:15:45,840 --> 00:15:48,760 Speaker 1: and those students showed and it was a sold out show. 317 00:15:49,160 --> 00:15:52,240 Speaker 1: And then our second show happened and it was independent 318 00:15:52,240 --> 00:15:54,800 Speaker 1: designers that were part of that show, and then that 319 00:15:54,920 --> 00:15:59,840 Speaker 1: show sold out, and at that time, knowing that we 320 00:16:00,040 --> 00:16:02,280 Speaker 1: and working at this for a very long time, but 321 00:16:02,320 --> 00:16:05,160 Speaker 1: then receiving like a proclamation from the City of Atlanta 322 00:16:05,200 --> 00:16:07,760 Speaker 1: at that time. Actually it was the Phoenix Award from 323 00:16:07,800 --> 00:16:11,600 Speaker 1: the City of Atlanta from Mayor Cassine Reid, but it 324 00:16:11,640 --> 00:16:14,680 Speaker 1: was presented by Ebony Williams. I think that's what I say. 325 00:16:14,840 --> 00:16:17,520 Speaker 1: Ebony that works for the City of Atlanta and special events. 326 00:16:17,760 --> 00:16:19,920 Speaker 1: She brought that and presented that to and I was like, okay, 327 00:16:20,040 --> 00:16:23,480 Speaker 1: so now people are really beginning to recognize the work 328 00:16:23,520 --> 00:16:26,920 Speaker 1: that we put behind building up this brand and what 329 00:16:26,960 --> 00:16:29,280 Speaker 1: we're trying to do. And that's when I saw the 330 00:16:29,280 --> 00:16:31,680 Speaker 1: turning point, because every year after that it started getting 331 00:16:31,680 --> 00:16:35,080 Speaker 1: bigger and bigger and bigger. Of course, we had celebrities participate, 332 00:16:35,360 --> 00:16:38,040 Speaker 1: but when I got Microsoft in twenty twenty two to 333 00:16:38,080 --> 00:16:40,240 Speaker 1: come on as a brand partner, I knew that we 334 00:16:40,240 --> 00:16:42,080 Speaker 1: were onto something at that point. 335 00:16:42,280 --> 00:16:42,520 Speaker 4: Yeah. 336 00:16:42,640 --> 00:16:44,280 Speaker 3: You know, it's interesting a lot of people, you know, 337 00:16:44,320 --> 00:16:48,080 Speaker 3: people think that sponsors and partners are easy, but you know, 338 00:16:48,240 --> 00:16:50,160 Speaker 3: it's hard work getting those folks involved. You know, how 339 00:16:50,160 --> 00:16:52,200 Speaker 3: do you get partners and sponsors involved with the Atlanta 340 00:16:52,240 --> 00:16:54,360 Speaker 3: Fashion Week? And then also, you know, just how are 341 00:16:54,360 --> 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 00:16:58,480 --> 00:17:00,960 Speaker 3: Like is it just purely through partnershi and sponsorships? Are 344 00:17:00,960 --> 00:17:02,000 Speaker 3: you selling tickets? Like? 345 00:17:02,200 --> 00:17:04,840 Speaker 1: Yeah, so we have to sell tickets, you know, because 346 00:17:04,840 --> 00:17:09,200 Speaker 1: we don't charge. If you show in New York. At minimum, 347 00:17:09,240 --> 00:17:12,840 Speaker 1: you're going to spend twenty thousand, okay, twenty thousand dollars 348 00:17:12,920 --> 00:17:16,720 Speaker 1: to produce your show. And that's just you producing your show. 349 00:17:16,920 --> 00:17:22,639 Speaker 1: That does not include any opportunities to sell immediately after. 350 00:17:22,880 --> 00:17:24,840 Speaker 1: I mean, you can go to the different trade shows 351 00:17:24,840 --> 00:17:27,800 Speaker 1: like Coterie Magic or whatever, but that's just for you 352 00:17:27,840 --> 00:17:28,520 Speaker 1: to do your show. 353 00:17:28,960 --> 00:17:31,120 Speaker 4: So how do you bring those kind of partners involved? 354 00:17:31,200 --> 00:17:34,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, so obviously we target you know, obviously we look, 355 00:17:34,600 --> 00:17:38,399 Speaker 1: we really do look at the different brands that we 356 00:17:38,440 --> 00:17:40,760 Speaker 1: want to go after and see what they want to 357 00:17:40,800 --> 00:17:43,360 Speaker 1: focus on. So Obviously, I may reach out to them 358 00:17:43,400 --> 00:17:45,000 Speaker 1: and I may say, hey, what is it that you're 359 00:17:45,000 --> 00:17:47,960 Speaker 1: currently looking at or looking to accomplish in twenty twenty four, 360 00:17:48,359 --> 00:17:50,760 Speaker 1: twenty twenty five, And then I send them like a 361 00:17:50,840 --> 00:17:54,280 Speaker 1: quick event overview of the things that we accomplished the 362 00:17:54,359 --> 00:17:57,280 Speaker 1: year before and maybe a couple of years prior to that. 363 00:17:57,880 --> 00:18:01,920 Speaker 1: A lot of times we have had us getting responses back. 364 00:18:02,119 --> 00:18:04,480 Speaker 1: Now I have to say again, because I work in 365 00:18:04,480 --> 00:18:08,640 Speaker 1: PR marketing, I have relationships, right, and I also have work. 366 00:18:08,760 --> 00:18:12,240 Speaker 1: They know my work from experiential marketing, so I send 367 00:18:12,240 --> 00:18:14,320 Speaker 1: that information to them, I get a response back, then 368 00:18:14,320 --> 00:18:17,560 Speaker 1: we jump on a call. Every conversation I have does 369 00:18:17,600 --> 00:18:21,160 Speaker 1: not be successful. It's just not. It's one particular brand 370 00:18:21,160 --> 00:18:23,120 Speaker 1: that I've been trying to go after for many, many years, 371 00:18:23,119 --> 00:18:25,160 Speaker 1: and I still have not got them on board. Hopefully 372 00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:28,199 Speaker 1: this time around they come around. You know, I'm still waiting, 373 00:18:28,720 --> 00:18:31,960 Speaker 1: but for the most part, understanding their target audience, who 374 00:18:31,960 --> 00:18:35,840 Speaker 1: they're going after, the top of product and program that 375 00:18:35,880 --> 00:18:39,080 Speaker 1: they're trying to promote for twenty that particular year, and 376 00:18:39,119 --> 00:18:41,960 Speaker 1: then finding ways creatively to integrate the two. And that's 377 00:18:41,960 --> 00:18:45,520 Speaker 1: where my experience with experiential marketing has totally helped me 378 00:18:45,560 --> 00:18:46,560 Speaker 1: out a whole lot. 379 00:18:58,080 --> 00:18:59,800 Speaker 3: So, Okay, so you go out here, you get these brands, 380 00:18:59,800 --> 00:19:02,880 Speaker 3: and what's a brand that you really want to work 381 00:19:02,920 --> 00:19:04,320 Speaker 3: with or you think you know would fit be a 382 00:19:04,359 --> 00:19:05,960 Speaker 3: perfect fit for Atlantic Fashion Week. 383 00:19:06,119 --> 00:19:09,320 Speaker 1: I will tell you I don't know. Okay, it would 384 00:19:09,320 --> 00:19:11,520 Speaker 1: be Atlanta Fashion Week, but it will also be for 385 00:19:11,560 --> 00:19:14,280 Speaker 1: the entire year of everything that we're doing. I would 386 00:19:14,280 --> 00:19:17,440 Speaker 1: say about two years ago, we actually did outreach to 387 00:19:17,600 --> 00:19:23,280 Speaker 1: LVMHA per particular program. They are a very strong company. Obviously, 388 00:19:24,359 --> 00:19:29,880 Speaker 1: the majority LVMH itself, the other brands, the profit coming 389 00:19:29,920 --> 00:19:33,360 Speaker 1: from LVMH is coming from from the actual LVMH. It's 390 00:19:33,359 --> 00:19:35,679 Speaker 1: probably twenty five percent, so the other brands are actually 391 00:19:35,720 --> 00:19:37,160 Speaker 1: carrying that brand, right. 392 00:19:37,520 --> 00:19:38,240 Speaker 2: So they are. 393 00:19:38,200 --> 00:19:41,960 Speaker 1: Extremely strong and stable, and they do support independent brands 394 00:19:41,960 --> 00:19:45,400 Speaker 1: obviously they have in the past. So I reached out 395 00:19:45,440 --> 00:19:47,720 Speaker 1: to them about possibly doing a program with them that 396 00:19:47,840 --> 00:19:52,000 Speaker 1: I thought that would be amazing for Atlanta. Unfortunately, it 397 00:19:52,040 --> 00:19:54,040 Speaker 1: did not come to us. It end up going somewhere 398 00:19:54,080 --> 00:19:57,560 Speaker 1: else not to be named. And I'm not upset about it, 399 00:19:57,600 --> 00:20:00,800 Speaker 1: you know, because it just probably wasn't time. Obviously, I'm 400 00:20:01,119 --> 00:20:04,840 Speaker 1: keeping that conversation open and keeping that relationship there. But 401 00:20:04,960 --> 00:20:07,119 Speaker 1: it was a relationship program that I built up that 402 00:20:07,200 --> 00:20:09,479 Speaker 1: obviously was a good program because guess what they end 403 00:20:09,560 --> 00:20:12,919 Speaker 1: up using the program somewhere else. So I know what 404 00:20:13,040 --> 00:20:16,680 Speaker 1: I was building out made since. But if I could 405 00:20:16,720 --> 00:20:20,199 Speaker 1: bring LVMH here to see the local brands that we 406 00:20:20,320 --> 00:20:22,679 Speaker 1: have here. You have brands like Cea sent Assists. That 407 00:20:22,760 --> 00:20:26,760 Speaker 1: brand is amazing. Brad Foster has worked in this industry 408 00:20:26,760 --> 00:20:30,480 Speaker 1: for so long. He has made it, had major placements 409 00:20:30,720 --> 00:20:34,879 Speaker 1: and on many different celebrities right and been on big 410 00:20:35,000 --> 00:20:39,520 Speaker 1: main stages where his product was seen, and it's just time. 411 00:20:39,960 --> 00:20:42,240 Speaker 1: It's time for him to have that opportunity and that shot. 412 00:20:42,680 --> 00:20:45,639 Speaker 1: Even thinking about Merroll's high and d map, you know, 413 00:20:45,680 --> 00:20:48,480 Speaker 1: he's doing amazingly well right now with his Crown of 414 00:20:48,560 --> 00:20:49,320 Speaker 1: Cairo hats. 415 00:20:49,640 --> 00:20:51,600 Speaker 2: I love him doing his thing. 416 00:20:51,640 --> 00:20:55,240 Speaker 1: But then we also have different designers like Kenya Freeman 417 00:20:55,600 --> 00:20:59,040 Speaker 1: that on Sybia Molly now she has amazing partnership with 418 00:20:59,440 --> 00:21:04,040 Speaker 1: she and where she designs her collection and then she 419 00:21:04,160 --> 00:21:07,240 Speaker 1: and produces the product for them and sells it on 420 00:21:07,280 --> 00:21:11,320 Speaker 1: their platform. That's huge. You know it is fast fashion, 421 00:21:11,359 --> 00:21:14,960 Speaker 1: but it's huge. So just kind of identifying giving those 422 00:21:14,960 --> 00:21:19,000 Speaker 1: different designers that opportunity where they can be invested by 423 00:21:19,040 --> 00:21:21,400 Speaker 1: one of those big brands like ATVMH that has all 424 00:21:21,440 --> 00:21:24,480 Speaker 1: the resources that will help them catabul to the next level. 425 00:21:24,680 --> 00:21:27,520 Speaker 1: That's what I would love to see, and so it'll 426 00:21:27,560 --> 00:21:29,960 Speaker 1: be bigger than just Atlanta Fashion. It's really for the 427 00:21:29,960 --> 00:21:33,159 Speaker 1: designer and seeing that designer really scale up their business 428 00:21:33,160 --> 00:21:34,600 Speaker 1: at the level that they can. 429 00:21:35,280 --> 00:21:36,959 Speaker 3: For people that are just trying to get started in 430 00:21:37,000 --> 00:21:40,240 Speaker 3: like design fashion, you know, how do you go from 431 00:21:40,240 --> 00:21:41,880 Speaker 3: like how would you recommend somebody kind of goes from 432 00:21:41,960 --> 00:21:44,280 Speaker 3: zero to one? You know, they're starting an idea, then 433 00:21:44,320 --> 00:21:46,440 Speaker 3: maybe they're they're doing shirts, so they want to do 434 00:21:46,480 --> 00:21:48,119 Speaker 3: something special, Like how do you kind of start to 435 00:21:48,119 --> 00:21:50,399 Speaker 3: break through nowadays? I mean obviously you can push stuff 436 00:21:50,440 --> 00:21:53,119 Speaker 3: on social media and you can try to get you know, placements. 437 00:21:53,240 --> 00:21:54,920 Speaker 3: I get stuff in all the time in the mail, 438 00:21:55,520 --> 00:21:57,359 Speaker 3: but like, you know, what advice would you kind of 439 00:21:57,359 --> 00:21:58,439 Speaker 3: give to that aspiring designer. 440 00:21:58,440 --> 00:21:59,879 Speaker 4: It's like, I want to get my stuff out there. 441 00:22:00,200 --> 00:22:04,320 Speaker 1: Of breakthrough, I would say, master your craft. There are 442 00:22:04,359 --> 00:22:07,480 Speaker 1: a lot of different designers that are out there that 443 00:22:07,520 --> 00:22:12,080 Speaker 1: create garments that are not necessarily ready for market. 444 00:22:12,920 --> 00:22:14,679 Speaker 4: Okay, now what does that mean? What does them not 445 00:22:14,720 --> 00:22:15,359 Speaker 4: ready for market. 446 00:22:15,400 --> 00:22:17,800 Speaker 1: Mean, it could be just the craftmanship behind the brand, 447 00:22:17,880 --> 00:22:20,879 Speaker 1: you know, the way that they sew the garment together, 448 00:22:21,119 --> 00:22:25,439 Speaker 1: the way that the type of material a fabric that 449 00:22:25,440 --> 00:22:30,600 Speaker 1: they're choosing to use. There's many different reasons that they're 450 00:22:30,640 --> 00:22:33,479 Speaker 1: just not ready to go to market yet, right. I 451 00:22:33,480 --> 00:22:37,200 Speaker 1: would master your craft. A lot of designers from France, 452 00:22:37,440 --> 00:22:40,840 Speaker 1: from Italy, it takes years for them to master before 453 00:22:40,840 --> 00:22:43,679 Speaker 1: they even go to market. And I think that we 454 00:22:43,880 --> 00:22:47,320 Speaker 1: have to take that opportunity to do that here. I 455 00:22:47,359 --> 00:22:51,080 Speaker 1: think a lot of times what end up happening. We're 456 00:22:51,080 --> 00:22:54,280 Speaker 1: so quick to try to jump on a trend, right, 457 00:22:54,600 --> 00:22:56,640 Speaker 1: So we jump on that trend, create like a sweatshir 458 00:22:56,720 --> 00:22:59,639 Speaker 1: or whatever, and think that we created a brand, but 459 00:22:59,720 --> 00:23:02,920 Speaker 1: then you still don't have the back of your house together. 460 00:23:03,359 --> 00:23:05,440 Speaker 1: It's a lot of money to start a fashion brand. 461 00:23:05,440 --> 00:23:08,720 Speaker 1: It's not something that you could just do initially, right. 462 00:23:09,080 --> 00:23:12,720 Speaker 1: It takes having the manufacturing together and making sure that 463 00:23:12,760 --> 00:23:15,960 Speaker 1: you are on the fashion calendar and understanding that when 464 00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:20,080 Speaker 1: the buyers are looking to purchase product, having money that 465 00:23:20,240 --> 00:23:22,000 Speaker 1: money is a big part of that because a lot 466 00:23:22,000 --> 00:23:24,360 Speaker 1: of times, especially if you're trying to go into wholesale, 467 00:23:25,119 --> 00:23:26,639 Speaker 1: you got to be able to produce. You may not 468 00:23:26,680 --> 00:23:31,160 Speaker 1: get paid for sixty days, and then based on the 469 00:23:31,600 --> 00:23:34,280 Speaker 1: amount of product that's sold within a timeframe, they may 470 00:23:34,359 --> 00:23:34,880 Speaker 1: return it. 471 00:23:35,040 --> 00:23:35,840 Speaker 4: Oh, that's possible. 472 00:23:35,840 --> 00:23:38,800 Speaker 1: They can do that absolutely in the contracts. Oh you 473 00:23:38,880 --> 00:23:40,600 Speaker 1: got to be prepared for all that. It's called the 474 00:23:40,600 --> 00:23:44,000 Speaker 1: sell through rate? What is the sell through rate between 475 00:23:44,680 --> 00:23:46,600 Speaker 1: August first to August fifteenth? 476 00:23:47,359 --> 00:23:49,399 Speaker 3: So if you, as a designer, get your stuff placed 477 00:23:49,400 --> 00:23:52,760 Speaker 3: in a store you're promoting it, they put it up 478 00:23:52,760 --> 00:23:55,159 Speaker 3: on the shelves. If a certain percentage of it is 479 00:23:55,200 --> 00:23:58,840 Speaker 3: not selling within that whatever timeframe you tell me, they 480 00:23:58,840 --> 00:24:00,480 Speaker 3: can literally send it back to you. And now you 481 00:24:00,560 --> 00:24:01,520 Speaker 3: all of a sudden you had all that. 482 00:24:01,520 --> 00:24:03,879 Speaker 2: Merchandise possibility to get sent it back to you. 483 00:24:04,640 --> 00:24:07,359 Speaker 4: Oh yeah, mass to that craft. 484 00:24:09,400 --> 00:24:10,560 Speaker 2: You got to mass that craft. 485 00:24:11,320 --> 00:24:14,080 Speaker 3: Now again you talk about how, you know, Atlanta Fashion 486 00:24:14,119 --> 00:24:15,880 Speaker 3: we kind of helps these designers and puts them out 487 00:24:15,880 --> 00:24:17,879 Speaker 3: there knowingly they kind of go through all this stuff. 488 00:24:17,960 --> 00:24:19,680 Speaker 3: What are some of the benefits of the designers and 489 00:24:19,720 --> 00:24:21,760 Speaker 3: the people that get involved in Atlanta Fashion Week, Like, 490 00:24:21,800 --> 00:24:24,119 Speaker 3: how does it help them take their brands in the 491 00:24:24,160 --> 00:24:24,640 Speaker 3: next level. 492 00:24:25,040 --> 00:24:28,639 Speaker 1: Well, you know, the great thing that has happened and 493 00:24:28,680 --> 00:24:30,880 Speaker 1: it's so funny because I was looking back at old 494 00:24:30,880 --> 00:24:32,560 Speaker 1: photos realizing that. 495 00:24:32,520 --> 00:24:33,320 Speaker 2: We've already built. 496 00:24:33,359 --> 00:24:37,120 Speaker 1: We've been building our relationship with Bloomadale's for years and 497 00:24:37,800 --> 00:24:41,520 Speaker 1: understanding the ethos and the DNA of bloom Meadal's. They 498 00:24:41,720 --> 00:24:46,359 Speaker 1: have always supported new brands at one step or another, right. 499 00:24:46,480 --> 00:24:51,040 Speaker 1: Donna Karen is a example of that. Diane von Ferstenberg 500 00:24:51,240 --> 00:24:55,200 Speaker 1: is an example of that. And so the fact that 501 00:24:55,600 --> 00:24:59,760 Speaker 1: with Atlanta Fashion Week there's a possible opportunity for wholesale 502 00:25:00,520 --> 00:25:05,000 Speaker 1: with Bloomingdale's, and I say possible, but you get a 503 00:25:05,080 --> 00:25:09,000 Speaker 1: chance to start building that relationship. We've created this pipeline 504 00:25:09,400 --> 00:25:12,840 Speaker 1: that when you show at Atlanta, the next step is 505 00:25:13,160 --> 00:25:16,200 Speaker 1: now you sell at Bloomingdale's for a pop up experience. 506 00:25:16,560 --> 00:25:18,919 Speaker 1: Some of those pop up experiences can be just for 507 00:25:18,960 --> 00:25:21,800 Speaker 1: two days if it's happening during Atlanta Fashion Week. Some 508 00:25:21,880 --> 00:25:25,000 Speaker 1: of them can be thirty days. You know, eventually, if 509 00:25:25,040 --> 00:25:28,280 Speaker 1: they are thirty days, that means you obtained a skew 510 00:25:28,400 --> 00:25:29,280 Speaker 1: number from. 511 00:25:29,080 --> 00:25:31,480 Speaker 4: Bloo Medale's, okay. 512 00:25:31,040 --> 00:25:33,840 Speaker 1: Meaning that you're in the system, and that allows you 513 00:25:33,920 --> 00:25:37,440 Speaker 1: to what go around and do different trunk shows at 514 00:25:37,480 --> 00:25:40,040 Speaker 1: any one of the properties that they had throughout the 515 00:25:40,119 --> 00:25:43,160 Speaker 1: United States and then based on your numbers and how 516 00:25:43,200 --> 00:25:47,720 Speaker 1: you're performing, that's when there's an opportunity for your brand 517 00:25:47,960 --> 00:25:52,520 Speaker 1: to become a purchase order or a wholesale account. We've 518 00:25:52,560 --> 00:25:55,240 Speaker 1: had a couple of successes with that. One be in particular, 519 00:25:55,600 --> 00:25:58,399 Speaker 1: a young lady by the name of Alexandria. Her brand 520 00:25:58,480 --> 00:26:02,240 Speaker 1: FNW Style took that same path and now she is 521 00:26:02,280 --> 00:26:05,440 Speaker 1: a wholesale account and also sold on their dot com. 522 00:26:06,000 --> 00:26:09,800 Speaker 1: Okay yeah, and doing extremely well. And she was also 523 00:26:09,960 --> 00:26:13,960 Speaker 1: bloom Medel's just open up an outlet store about yesterday actually, 524 00:26:14,480 --> 00:26:15,720 Speaker 1: and she's in there as well. 525 00:26:16,400 --> 00:26:18,959 Speaker 3: How do some of these partnerships, like with Bloomingdale's and 526 00:26:19,040 --> 00:26:21,639 Speaker 3: I think you do some stuff with a magic in Vegas? Like, 527 00:26:22,240 --> 00:26:25,119 Speaker 3: how did all these different partnerships help you scale Atlanta 528 00:26:25,200 --> 00:26:28,240 Speaker 3: Fashion Week not just locally but also globally and nationally, right, 529 00:26:28,280 --> 00:26:31,119 Speaker 3: so that people understand there's a lot of amazing stuff 530 00:26:31,119 --> 00:26:32,200 Speaker 3: going on down here in Atlanta. 531 00:26:32,280 --> 00:26:36,240 Speaker 1: Well, the goal, like I mentioned to you before, has 532 00:26:36,440 --> 00:26:40,440 Speaker 1: always been about the actual designer. We want to see 533 00:26:40,440 --> 00:26:44,439 Speaker 1: our designers succeed and understanding that we are in the 534 00:26:44,520 --> 00:26:47,399 Speaker 1: South and you know as well as I know that 535 00:26:47,480 --> 00:26:50,000 Speaker 1: sometimes Atlanta and all the creatives that come out of 536 00:26:50,000 --> 00:26:52,560 Speaker 1: Atlanta are considered what like the step child. 537 00:26:53,840 --> 00:26:55,120 Speaker 4: They do it's wrong sometimes they. 538 00:26:55,119 --> 00:26:57,679 Speaker 1: Do it's wrong sometime and it's okay, you know, but 539 00:26:57,760 --> 00:27:01,760 Speaker 1: we continue, you know, to push forward, improve how worthy 540 00:27:02,040 --> 00:27:05,400 Speaker 1: and how successful we are and how creative we are. Right, 541 00:27:05,720 --> 00:27:10,560 Speaker 1: so just figuring out what programming is going to benefit 542 00:27:11,080 --> 00:27:14,479 Speaker 1: that designer and then making sure that we protect that 543 00:27:14,560 --> 00:27:17,960 Speaker 1: designer when we execute them through that program, because I 544 00:27:17,960 --> 00:27:20,960 Speaker 1: don't want to put them in a situation where they're 545 00:27:21,000 --> 00:27:23,280 Speaker 1: being set up to fail. I don't want to see that. 546 00:27:23,880 --> 00:27:26,760 Speaker 1: I truly, truly want to see them succeed. And I 547 00:27:26,760 --> 00:27:30,479 Speaker 1: feel like Atlanta have enough talent. Atlanta market in general, 548 00:27:30,560 --> 00:27:33,760 Speaker 1: not just the designers that are here, just any independent 549 00:27:33,800 --> 00:27:37,720 Speaker 1: brand that wants to grow and succeed definitely needs to 550 00:27:37,720 --> 00:27:40,960 Speaker 1: look at this market one hundred percent and the platform 551 00:27:40,960 --> 00:27:45,000 Speaker 1: that we're producing for our independent brands. But I will 552 00:27:45,040 --> 00:27:48,879 Speaker 1: say it's exciting to see also too, on two fold, 553 00:27:49,280 --> 00:27:52,920 Speaker 1: that you have major brands that have accumulated over millions 554 00:27:52,920 --> 00:27:56,040 Speaker 1: and millions of dollars saying you know what, I think 555 00:27:56,080 --> 00:27:58,359 Speaker 1: we want to come to Atlanta. Which that is not 556 00:27:58,440 --> 00:28:00,240 Speaker 1: a bad thing because what that's going to do is 557 00:28:00,280 --> 00:28:03,320 Speaker 1: bring more attention to what all our different designers that 558 00:28:03,359 --> 00:28:06,240 Speaker 1: are based here in this market as well and provide 559 00:28:06,240 --> 00:28:07,480 Speaker 1: additional opportunities. 560 00:28:07,760 --> 00:28:09,600 Speaker 4: Okay, now I see it. I see it. 561 00:28:09,600 --> 00:28:11,880 Speaker 3: It's all coming together. Let me ask you Angel before 562 00:28:11,880 --> 00:28:13,639 Speaker 3: we get out of here. So, what is a piece 563 00:28:13,680 --> 00:28:17,119 Speaker 3: of advice or a mantra that you kind of go 564 00:28:17,240 --> 00:28:19,960 Speaker 3: by that's kind of helped guide you over this journey? 565 00:28:20,520 --> 00:28:20,960 Speaker 2: You know what? 566 00:28:21,280 --> 00:28:24,439 Speaker 1: I choose to be positive all the time. You know, 567 00:28:24,520 --> 00:28:26,639 Speaker 1: I try not to look at the negative side of 568 00:28:26,640 --> 00:28:30,440 Speaker 1: things at all. If you tell me that this person 569 00:28:30,480 --> 00:28:33,040 Speaker 1: can't do this, I'll show you someone I can. And 570 00:28:33,080 --> 00:28:36,720 Speaker 1: I really truly believe that has positioned me to be 571 00:28:36,840 --> 00:28:40,360 Speaker 1: where I am today. Honestly, I just don't. I don't 572 00:28:40,360 --> 00:28:42,440 Speaker 1: believe in a negativity, especially when it comes to our 573 00:28:42,440 --> 00:28:45,320 Speaker 1: community and our culture. You know, we hear so much 574 00:28:45,480 --> 00:28:48,040 Speaker 1: with me working and pressed. I have a very critical 575 00:28:48,080 --> 00:28:50,040 Speaker 1: eye when I'm looking at the different stories that come 576 00:28:50,080 --> 00:28:54,800 Speaker 1: out and how they're ran. So sometimes it's very challenging 577 00:28:54,840 --> 00:28:57,680 Speaker 1: to watch because I know that, yeah, I see what 578 00:28:57,720 --> 00:28:59,720 Speaker 1: you're saying here, but I know this group of people 579 00:28:59,880 --> 00:29:02,280 Speaker 1: here that are doing what you're saying that they can't do. 580 00:29:03,160 --> 00:29:05,920 Speaker 1: So I just choose to see the positive side of things. 581 00:29:05,920 --> 00:29:09,000 Speaker 1: And when I do that, guess what, things just seem 582 00:29:09,040 --> 00:29:09,720 Speaker 1: to fall in place. 583 00:29:09,920 --> 00:29:11,800 Speaker 4: Yeah. When you're doing the right thing, the right thing 584 00:29:11,840 --> 00:29:12,160 Speaker 4: to happen. 585 00:29:12,280 --> 00:29:15,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, and yeah, it's hard, listen, it's hard. Trying to 586 00:29:15,480 --> 00:29:17,960 Speaker 1: build up something like an Atlanta Fashion Week and a 587 00:29:17,960 --> 00:29:20,920 Speaker 1: platform like that is not an easy feat. But I 588 00:29:20,960 --> 00:29:22,800 Speaker 1: think God put this in my spirit, in my DNA 589 00:29:22,920 --> 00:29:25,640 Speaker 1: to do this, and I'm excited to do it, and 590 00:29:25,680 --> 00:29:28,040 Speaker 1: I'm taking it by the rain and I'm just going 591 00:29:28,120 --> 00:29:29,840 Speaker 1: to build it up as much as I can. I 592 00:29:29,920 --> 00:29:32,040 Speaker 1: maybe going slower than a lot of people will want 593 00:29:32,040 --> 00:29:33,840 Speaker 1: me to go, but I'm going at the pace that 594 00:29:33,880 --> 00:29:35,720 Speaker 1: I know that I can go, and I'm going to 595 00:29:35,800 --> 00:29:38,440 Speaker 1: be very specific about the decisions that I make to 596 00:29:38,600 --> 00:29:42,719 Speaker 1: ensure that one it benefits the designers and that this 597 00:29:42,800 --> 00:29:43,720 Speaker 1: becomes a legacy. 598 00:29:44,040 --> 00:29:44,320 Speaker 4: Yeah. 599 00:29:44,400 --> 00:29:47,040 Speaker 3: You know, there's nothing that exists that didn't start as 600 00:29:47,080 --> 00:29:48,280 Speaker 3: an idea or thought. 601 00:29:48,280 --> 00:29:48,520 Speaker 4: First. 602 00:29:48,560 --> 00:29:50,320 Speaker 3: The most beautiful thing about the human mind is the 603 00:29:50,320 --> 00:29:53,040 Speaker 3: ability to kind of manifest things and the thoughts and 604 00:29:53,040 --> 00:29:55,240 Speaker 3: make them in the physical reality. And when you look around, 605 00:29:55,320 --> 00:29:57,880 Speaker 3: literally every single thing that you look at is something 606 00:29:57,920 --> 00:29:59,600 Speaker 3: that started with a thought. In Atlanta Fashion we get 607 00:29:59,640 --> 00:30:02,640 Speaker 3: started with thought. Now it's evolving and bringing in other 608 00:30:02,680 --> 00:30:05,200 Speaker 3: people that feel the same way and some congratulations on 609 00:30:05,280 --> 00:30:07,560 Speaker 3: all that and amazing work. How can people find out 610 00:30:07,600 --> 00:30:09,520 Speaker 3: more about Atlanta Fashion Week and connect with it and 611 00:30:09,560 --> 00:30:10,200 Speaker 3: get involved? 612 00:30:10,280 --> 00:30:13,719 Speaker 1: Sure you can visit ww dot Atlanta Fashionweek dot co 613 00:30:14,480 --> 00:30:18,760 Speaker 1: and then also follow us on Instagram at ATLFW, Facebook 614 00:30:18,760 --> 00:30:23,240 Speaker 1: at ATLFW, and Twitter at ATFW. Well X, I'm sorry 615 00:30:23,360 --> 00:30:25,040 Speaker 1: at ATFW Underscore Week. 616 00:30:25,360 --> 00:30:27,920 Speaker 3: Okay, well, thank you so much, Angela. This has been amazing. 617 00:30:27,920 --> 00:30:30,720 Speaker 3: Congratulations on fashion Week. We can't wait to see it. 618 00:30:30,800 --> 00:30:33,560 Speaker 3: Y'all go out and support and that's the pod. 619 00:30:34,080 --> 00:30:34,960 Speaker 2: Awesome. Yay. 620 00:30:40,040 --> 00:30:41,880 Speaker 3: You've been listening to button Nomics and I'm your host, 621 00:30:41,920 --> 00:30:45,120 Speaker 3: Brandon Butler. Got comments, feedback? Want to be on the show. 622 00:30:45,320 --> 00:30:48,480 Speaker 3: Send us an email today at hello at butteronomics dot com. 623 00:30:48,640 --> 00:30:49,960 Speaker 4: Butter Nomics is produced. 624 00:30:49,680 --> 00:30:53,360 Speaker 3: In Atlanta, Georgia at iHeartMedia by kcy Pegram, with marketing 625 00:30:53,400 --> 00:30:56,360 Speaker 3: support from Queen and Nikki music provided by mister Hanky. 626 00:30:56,720 --> 00:30:59,000 Speaker 3: If you haven't already hit that subscribe button and never 627 00:30:59,000 --> 00:31:01,280 Speaker 3: missed an episode, be sure to follow us on all 628 00:31:01,320 --> 00:31:04,400 Speaker 3: our social platforms at butter dot a t L. Listen 629 00:31:04,400 --> 00:31:07,240 Speaker 3: to better nomics on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or 630 00:31:07,240 --> 00:31:08,680 Speaker 3: wherever you get your podcasts.