I’m a writer; it’s my gift. And I’m forever grateful for it. But, in this instance, as I tried to summarize my conversation with Chuks Collins; words eluded me. I struggled to explain the depths of Chuks' artistry and purpose. I can tell you about his wealth of accomplishments and the status he’s amassed as his work has been seen and worn, very literally, all over the world. But, no one can tell Chuks' story like he can. Today, I’m asking you to set aside 34 minutes and 19 seconds to listen to my interview with Chuks Collins. To Chuks: Thank you, my friend, you’re an inspiration and a true example of what the art of fashion design can bring to the world.

To get in touch:

Website: www.FashionAlumni.com

IG: drmelissamanuel

IG: fashionalumnipodcast

Chuks Collins

Website: www.chukscollins.com

IG: chukscollinsofficial

Kirby Best is the Chairman & CEO of OnPoint Manufacturing. His company provides eco-friendly solutions for companies and independent designers who are looking to manufacture apparel products with no minimum order sizes.

On Point Manufacturing is a comprehensive apparel manufacturer located in Florence, Alabama, USA, offering services from fulfillment to global distribution to consumer-direct shipping.

If you’re an independent fashion designer, this is the great news you’ve been waiting for!

To get in touch:

Website: www.Fashionalumni.com

IG: drmelissamanuel

IG: fashionalumnipodcast

OnPoint Manufacturing

Website: www.onpointmanufacturing.com

Instagram: onpointmfg

Sarah Houston is a dynamic creative. With her experience as a fashion insider, fueled by her formal fashion education and her working career in the industry, Sarah noticed a missing link. Professionals in the fashion industry did not have a direct way to connect and collaborate. Her desire to solve this issue resulted in the Fashion Space app. This app has been developed as a one-stop shop for the fashion industry. Listen in as Sarah tells us how Fashion Space works and how it can help you.

To get in touch:

The Fashion Alumni Podcast

Website: FashionAlumni.com

IG: @fashionalumnipodcast

IG: @drmelissamanuel

To sign up for Fashion Space: www.thefashionspace.com

Germaine Claytor, is the founder of Simplicity Styles, New Jersey, and a graduate of the Misa Hylton Fashion Academy in New York City. Germaine has found a way to get everything she has ever dreamed of in her fashion career. Her proven approach for attaining these opportunities work for her... Every. Single.Time! The best part is...you can do it too.

In Episode 58 of the Fashion Alumni Podcast, Germaine tells how she built her diversified fashion styling company, how she helps her unique clientele, and how she books large production events, and more. In this episode, you’ll hear gems that will help you take your business to the next level!

To get in touch:

The Fashion Alumni Podcast

Website: FashionAlumni.com

IG: @fashionalumnipodcast

IG: @drmelissamanuel

In episode 57, Shaelyne Moodie, social media manager at ESSENCE Communications Inc., gives us insight into her day-to-day. She shares her background and how she landed this coveted career position. Shaelyne also shares valuable on-the-job lessons and tips on how to get your foot in the door at a company. You won't learn these things in a textbook! Press Play.

To get in touch:

The Fashion Alumni Podcast

Website: FashionAlumni.com

IG: @fashionalumnipodcast

IG: @drmelissamanuel

Independent fashion brands with minimal time and minimal budgets will benefit from the strategies Sharon Hughes shares for incorporating a digital marketing strategy into your small business. If you’ve been waiting for a quick guide to best practices that can and will work for you; it is here. Now’s the time to pick up the pace and tell your story so that people know who you are. With over 18 years of experience working in fashion marketing management for InStyle Magazine UK, Macy’s Inc, Lori’s Shoes, Limited Brands and Chanel.com, you can’t afford to miss Sharon’s expert tips. Press Play!

To get in touch:

The Fashion Alumni Podcast

Website: FashionAlumni.com

IG: @fashionalumnipodcast

IG: @drmelissamanuel

Sharon N. Hughes

Website: www.theartsyinstitute.com

IG: @theartsyinstitute

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonnhughes/

My guest, Lisa Morales-Hellebo is co-founder of the Worldwide Supply Chain Federation & the New York Supply Chain Meetup. She has in-depth knowledge of data science and the roles innovative technologies will play in fashion's future. In our talk today, Lisa explains how independent designers and small brands can be pioneers, in their respective niches, by identifying ways to leverage these new technologies to create customized on-demand products.

To get in touch:

The Fashion Alumni Podcast

Website: FashionAlumni.com

IG: @fashionalumnipodcast

IG: @drmelissamanuel

Lisa Morales-Hellebo

Website: www.lisahellebo.com

IG: @lisahellebo

Nubian Hueman, a DC-based lifestyle brand, is well beyond the definition of the traditional lifestyle brand. This company builds and nurtures relationships with global talent and promotes the artistic wares made by people of color from around the world. Nubian Hueman also supports ethical supply chains and fair trade.

In my conversation with Chris McKenzie, buyer for Nubian Hueman, she gives us an introspective glimpse into her role as she works with creative entrepreneurs to prepare their products for retail; some for their very first time. In our talk, Chris explains how her career path led her to Nubian Hueman. She also shares how the Nubian Hueman team provides a platform to help other creative entrepreneurs find their paths as well.

To get in touch:

The Fashion Alumni Podcast

Website: FashionAlumni.com

IG: @fashionalumnipodcast

IG: @drmelissamanuel

Chris McKenzie

Website: https://nubianhueman.com

IG: @xian_mckenzie

IG: @nubianhueman

IG: @blackloveexperience

Why do we wear what we wear? For some, it’s just a matter of personal style. For others, fashion choices are dictated by socio-cultural factors such as work environments, cultural norms, political and/or religious associations, gender, and even race.

In my interview with Kimberly Jenkins, fashion educator at both Parsons School of Design & Pratt Institute, she highlights past views some have had about fashion through lens of race. She discusses how fashion pioneers like June Ambrose & Misa Hylton charted new courses in fashion in spite of race. She also explains how her own research in Fashion & Race seeks to foster communicative pathways to the hard to broach topic of race relations in our country.

The work Kimberly is doing has been mentioned and featured in VOGUE, The Wall Street Journal, New York Mag, Fashionista, i-D, WWD, Dazed, Refinery 29, Nylon and so many more!

I have no doubt that Kimberly's work stands poised to change the trajectory of fashion studies as we know it. Listen to episode 53 of The Fashion Alumni Podcast to hear Kimberly's story!

To get in touch:

The Fashion Alumni Podcast

Website: FashionAlumni.com

IG: @fashionalumnipodcast

IG: @drmelissamanuel

Kimberly Jenkins

Website: www.kimberlymjenkins.com

IG: @kimberlymjenkins

As an expat living in America with a very diverse background, Amy Newton found herself in need of a creative outlet to express her unique culture and individuality. Armed with graphic design skills, a love for fashion, and the wisdom to find the resources she needed to get started, Amy created Cultro.

Cultro is an expressive fashion brand that creates “traditional motifs, artwork and patterns created from cultures around the globe...a uniquely hip fusion of culture, art and metro-chic”.

In our conversation, Amy talks about how she got started and the mistakes that made her stronger. She also draws from her wealth of experience in both corporate business and independent entrepreneurship to share some amazing insight on things "to do" and things "to avoid" if you're serious about growing and protecting the integrity of your fashion brand. Press play, you won't regret it!

To get in touch:

The Fashion Alumni Podcast

Website: FashionAlumni.com

IG: @fashionalumnipodcast

IG: @drmelissamanuel

CULTRO

Website: cultroclothing.com

IG: @cultro_clothing