Ep 19: Pay for the Quality w/ J.C. Of Be Brillant NYC

This week we sat down with Be Brillant NYC, check out our below discussion points and segments.

Issa Look Segment: someone in the media this week that you really thought looked dope.

How Be Brillant NYC was created and your inspiration for starting the clothing line.

How J.C.'s background plays a role in the brand.

The symbolism behind the brand's light bulb logo.

“Urban/street-wear Brand” ? If not, how would you describe your brand.

Views on designers that say “urban designers” are not real designers. The gap between graphic designers and fashion designers.

Fashion Story Segment: disaster or success story you learned something from.

Views on how many luxury brands have shifted their design strategy to be more urban.

Views on celebrities and entertainers supporting black brands. Do you feel it’s just discussed in the height of the clout and media or is it actually being done, do you have any ideas on how to push buying black forward?

Target consumer, what is there lifestyle?

On a previous podcast I had a male designer tell me, he would be further in his design career if he was gay, do you think this is true? What challenges have you faced being a straight black man in fashion?

What are your goals for Be Brillant NYC, where do you see the brand in the next 5 years.

Fashion Inspo Segment: Exhibits, readings, or current muse

Usecode: BLACKNFASHION on the website for a discount

You can keep up with J.C. and Be Brillant

@bebrillantnyc

@shopbbnyc

www.shopbbnyc.com

Wholesale: www.brandboom.com

For questions, feedback and discussion topics email: [email protected]

Keep up with me on all social sites!

@BlackNFashionPodcast

@LC_ApparelConsulting

@CalleeaVateinInc

@LeneseCalleea

Stay Black! Peace Out!

Ep 18: LIVE from The FASHION 500 Gala

Short interviews with Honorees, Designers, and Fashion industry professionals!

Being a Black Creator has never been easy. The doors to the industry crack and close on an unpredictable schedule.

But those of us who were born for this...

Work and Wait.

Work and Wait.

And then repeat.

Don’t get me wrong...we LOVE the work. It gives us more than life—it gives us IMMORALITY.

That is the power, beauty, and ascension of CREATION.

The moments for recognition are sporadic at best.

And omitted as usual.

That’s why we build our own houses.

Prop open our own doors

Roll out and STRUT down our own red carpet

So that we may,

Appreciate

Celebrate

And Accentuate

Our Gifts

Our Accomplishments

And our manifested visions

In the only way we know how...

IN STYLE

Welcome to Fashion 500!!!

For questions, feedback and discussion topics email: [email protected]

Keep up with me on all social sites!

@BlackNFashionPodcast

@LC_ApparelConsulting

@CalleeaVateinInc

@LeneseCalleea

Stay Black! Peace Out!

Best,

Ep 17: The Style Maven & Shoe Connoisseur w/ Danielle & Aleah

This week I had 2 special guest Danielle G and Aleah Lauren and we had an amazing conversation about the retail and corporate fashion industry with two experienced and well educated corporate and retail professionals specializing in apparel and footwear.

Please see below questions and discussion topics.

Issa Look Segment: Somebody in the media this week that you felt slayed

What was your first retail & corporate gig and what did it teach you?

Most people would say that retail is hard and corporate is hard to. get into…..how have you all managed to with stand all these years?

What are the major keys to clientele and being re-lat able to clients? What is the key to retaining clients?

How do you stay ahead with trends, where do you look for inspiration?

What challenges have you faced being a black girl in retail and being the only black girl in most of your positions?

Fashion Stories Segment: Success or Disaster story with a client or customer that you learned something from

Have you ever felt like you had to dumb down your blackness in any position or during the interview process to be accepted?

Designer Labels VS Fast fashion – How do you feel about those people that only wear labels?

Urban fashion VS Ready-to-wear

What are your key components for styling, what questions do you ask to access which direction to go with a look?

What are your long term careers goals and where do you see in the next 10 years?

Fashion Inspo Segment: Exhibits, Readings, Current Muse

You can keep up with Danielle and Aleah on all social media platforms:

@littlemisstrend

@aleah_lauren

For questions, feedback and discussion topics email: [email protected]

Keep up with me on all social sites!

@BlackNFashionPodcast

@LC_ApparelConsulting

@CalleeaVateinInc

@LeneseCalleea

Stay Black! Peace Out!

Ep 16: The Art of Fashion W/ Nissy Marie

Nissy Marie is an East Coast based fashion brand founded in 2013 by Brynissa "Nissy" Francis. Inspired by individuality and those who dare to be different, Nissy Marie is bringing something refreshing to the fashion scene. Because the founder refuses to follow trends along with aspirations of one day becoming a high fashion brand, makes this line a force to be reckoned with.

This Weeks discussion topics and newly added segments.

Issa Look Segment: Somebody in the media this week that slayed.

Inspiration and start up.

self-taught artist vs art school

Favorite artist, art time period, and medium

Emotional attachment with art

Trends and fads

industry standards advantage and disadvantages

Fashion Stories Segment: Success or Disaster story with a client or customer that you learned something from.

Being ahead of your time

“Ghetto fabulous” with a runway quality and how Nissy's background and where she is from plays a part in this.

Biggest challenges in entrepreneurship and being a Black Designer.

Custom or collection

Long term goals for Nissy Marie CO

Fashion Inspo Segment: Exhibits, Readings, Current Muse

You can keep up with Nissy on all social media platforms: @callmenissy & @nissymarieco

For questions, feedback and discussion topics email: [email protected]

Keep up with me on all social sites!

@BlackNFashionPodcast

@LC_ApparelConsulting

@CalleeaVateinInc

@LeneseCalleea

Stay Black! Peace Out!

Ep 15: Bridging the Gap w/ Hustle Hawkins of Horus Brand Clothing

This week I had the pleasure of interviewing Cameron Hawkins. We discussed how Horus Brand Clothing was created and and the inspiration for starting the clothing line.

His background and how it plays a role in the success of his brand

and how a visionary uses photography and art direction really tell a story in the clothing.

The definition of a “Urban/streetwear Brand”

The difference between graphic designers and fashion designers.

Views on how many luxury brands have shifted their design strategy to be more urban but still lack diversity in their corporate sector.

Views on celebrities and entertainers supporting black brands and how to push buying black forward?

Target consumer, lifestyle, greek organizations.

Goals for Horus Brand Clothing

You can keep up with Cameron on all social media platforms:

@hustlehawkins

@horusbrandclothing

For questions, feedback and discussion topics email: [email protected]

Keep up with me on all social sites!

@BlackNFashionPodcast

@LC_ApparelConsulting

@CalleeaVateinInc

@LeneseCalleea

Stay Black! Peace Out

Ep. 14: Creating The Culture With Mahdiyyah M

This week I got a chance to sit down with Designer and Educator Mahdiyyah M, Myself and Diyyah discussed many ways of pushing the Black Fashion Industry forward and we touched on educating the youth and ourselves in our history and culture and how to utilize in our Entrepreneurship and career goals while designing and being put in positions to effect change.

- We discussed Diyyah's background and how she got started in design and what inspires hers.

- How she came Into teaching and how she started a youth program.

- Our favorite things about working with the youth

- How other people interested can volunteer

- Thoughts and views on black designers in the fashion industry and the ones trying to break through. The barriers we see and what we could do to change or break through

-Goals for her brand and youth program.

You can keep up with Mahdiyyah on IG @MAHDIYYAH.M & MAHDIYYAH.CO

For questions, feedback and discussion topics email: [email protected]

Keep up with me on all social sites!

@BlackNFashionPodcast

@LC_ApparelConsulting

@CalleeaVateinInc

@LeneseCalleea

Stay Black! Peace Out!

This Week I got a chance to sit down with the creators of the Fashion500 Carlito and AL.

-We discuss how the Fashion500 came about and the history and motivation for creating this annual event.

-How are Honoree’s selected and what is the process.

-What it's like producing an event of this capacity How large is the team and the roles played.

-What are some things Carlito and Al feel are missing from the fashion industry and what suggestions they can offer as solutions.

-What does an attendee have to look forward to from this event.

-Why they feel it so important to put the spotlight on black creators and what the benefits of this recognition.

-How has social media played a role in the success of this event.

-What they have in store for this 10 year Anniversary and How they are planning to make this event different from the others.

-Long term goals for the fashion500

You can keep up with this event and the creators behind the event on Instagram:

@theblockassociation

@carlitohaciano

@thefashion500

@themreport

For questions, feedback and discussion topics email: [email protected]

Keep up with me on all social sites!

@BlackNFashionPodcast

@LC_ApparelConsulting

@CalleeaVateinInc

@LeneseCalleea

Stay Black! Peace Out!

Shaquanna and Zina discuss how they got started in fashion and a little bit about their background 

The Key elements and characteristics needed to be a custom wear designer. 

Pricing structure and strategy 

Dealing with clients. Success story & Disaster story. Body types, fabric selections, & fittings 

Recreating from other designers vs being inspired. “Copying” vs “inspiration” 

The challenges of being creative and sticking to your brand when being a custom designer

Time management and self care in entrepreneurship 

Black Entrepreneurship challenges and ultimate big goals

What we can expect next from Phenix Elite and Tailored Made by Zina Lanay

You can keep up with Shaquanna and Zina on all social media platforms: @shaquanna_thedesigner @shaquanna.shontae

@zina_lanay

@tailormadezinalanay

For questions, feedback and discussion topics email: [email protected]

Keep up with me @LeneseCalleea & @CalleeaVateininc on all social sites!

Stay Black! Peace Out!

Tyran discusses how he got started in fashion, his education and background.

What he feel is missing from the fashion industry and how his brand fits into the niche.

Challenges he has faced in this industry.

His Thoughts towards the use of black face in luxury European brands and diversity in their corporate sectors.

The differences between collection and custom and How the industry is changing when it comes to customization.

His Thoughts about gender less clothing and androgyny.

Advice for aspiring designers.

You can keep up with Tyran on all social media platforms with the following handles: @mrpocketsquare @tyranmarquis

For questions, feedback and discussion topics email: [email protected]

Keep up with me @LeneseCalleea & @CalleeaVateininc on all social sites!

Stay Black! Peace Out!