If you wanna know who the next IT GIRL will be in the fashion industry, then look no further than T. WALK. At only 21 years old, she has launched her very own clothing line “WALK by T.WALK.” She has always carried a passion for creativity but, after completing college in 3 years her passion turned into a reality. Classy but sassy. These are some of the terms that would accurately describe the style of this fashion-forward designer. I had the pleasure of interviewing her and I am excited to see what she has coming up in the near future and wish her all the best on her journey.
We discussed the following:
AC: What does fashion mean to you?
TW:Fashion, to me, means a first impression. People often refer to fashion as just clothes or “materialistic” without realizing that your fashion sense is one of the first things people will notice about you. It’s a chance to be creative and express your personality without even having to speak.
AC: Currently, what is your favorite fashion trend? What is your least favorite?
TW: I’m really enjoying this sort of step back into the 90s trend that is circulating right now. I think it really shows how fashion is truly just a cycle that reinvents itself time after time. I don’t really have a least favorite fashion trend, I’m enjoying the route fashion is taking right now.
AC: You mentioned after seeing “The devil wears Prada” that`s when you were first introduced to the world of fashion, but what made you come up with the idea of “WALK” being your first big project?
TW: Well, I always knew I wanted to be the “Miranda” of the Devil Wears Prada. I loved the idea of being a boss woman. WALK wasn’t necessarily an “idea” I came up with, it was literally something I always knew I’d do, even at a young age. The timing just never felt right. After graduating college, I knew it was the right time and I acted on it quickly.
AC: What do you enjoy most about designing clothes?
TW: The process! I love how something starts on a piece of paper and then within a few weeks it’s in physical form. I’ll sketch dozens of designs before narrowing it down to the 5-10 I ultimately pick. I love that. I guess what I love most is just seeing something in my head become a reality. It reminds me that I can create anything.
AC: If you could collaborate with any celebrity, who would it be? Why?
TW: Anna Wintour with no hesitation. Anna Wintour is a muse for me. She, in my opinion, dominates fashion in nearly every way. If I could collaborate with anyone, I feel it would only be right I do it with her. In close second, though, I would love to collaborate with Olivier Rousteing. He’s young, black and respected in the industry…things I admire.
AC: Describe your creative strategy when it comes to designing your pieces?
TW: I don’t have one. I have no strategy, no process. I’ll literally be on the couch, drinking tea, watching Amazing World of Gumball and just see something random that sparks me to sketch, and I’ll draw it in 10 seconds and go back to watching cartoons. Or I’ll be sleep and just randomly feel the urge to sketch something. Whenever I feel the impulse, I draw it right away and refer to it later to perfect it.
AC: There are so many people out right now doing the same thing that you are doing, trying to build their own fashion brand from the ground up.How do you plan to be different or what can you say if different about your brand?
TW: I don’t plan to be different, I just plan to be myself, work sun up to sun down, and enjoy this journey. People are convinced that success is limited, but it isn’t. I don’t look left or right, I know how far I want WALK to go and I’ll put in overtime to get it there. My brand is different because it has me behind it…someone else’s brand is different because it has them behind it. We can all be successful doing the same thing. I wish success on everyone!
AC: What goals do you have for yourself and your brand in the next 5 years?
TW:In the next five years, my personal goal is to make Forbes 30 under 30. I’m dedicated to that whole-heartedly! As for my brand, I want it to be a diverse, yet respected company. I’ve already started working on WALK Sport and WALK skincare…I’ll eventually branch out to makeup, furniture and health. I want WALK to ultimately be up there with the Fortune 500s.
AC: What advice would you have for someone who is interested in pursuing a career in fashion?
TW:Take your time, but don’t waste time. Plan accordingly, but don’t OVER-plan. Be decisive…don’t overthink. And literally just do it. There’s no rules to anything we do…that applies to everything. Of course it will be hard work like with anything else, but if you want to pursue a career in fashion, then pursue a career in fashion. It is as simple as it sounds.
You can find WALK BY T.WALK products on her site: www.walk-co.com
You can also find her on Instagram & Twitter for updates on new releases below
Instagram:@tee.walk
Twitter:@_teewalk
