BUY DEFINITION BOUTIQUE INTERVIEW WITH OWNER, ESTI CHOI
1. How long have you been running your store/selling your clothing online?
Our web shop has been operating for about two years now and we just opened
up a brick and mortar store off of South Congress about six months ago to
create a tangible space for our Austin customers.
2. Have you always been interested in fashion?
All things creative have always inspired and intrigued me, fashion being one
of them. I haven't always thought to be a store owner and surely, that's not
the boundaries of limitations I put on myself but yes, fashion has been a
strong interest of mine throughout my life.
3. Do you plan to expand Buy Definition or keep it more local to the
Austin area?
Our web shop reaches everyone around the world, especially with our flat
rate shipping making it that much more reasonable. Austin is a very special
town to me and currently I would like to focus my energy here and our
e-commerce site.
4. How did you get involved in fashion?
It's all about chasing your dream. After graduating from college I moved to
New York City for about 10 months to intern at a Fashion PR company. I
learned a lot about the industry and about myself and it gave me a more
distinct idea of what and who I wanted to be in the industry.
5. What would you say to a young student who aspires to do what you're
doing today?
Don't lose that creative energy and keep inventing and re-inventing
yourself. Remember that there are no limitations and as cheesy as it sounds,
I believe no things to be impossible so dream on!
LOCATED AT:
3100 SOUTH CONGRESS AVE., SUITE 3B
AUSTIN, TEXAS 78704
What does a 23 year old college student majoring in business administration do in his spare time? Spin music at local events, hang out with friends - oh and last but not least, design a clothing line. Esmel Meeks AKA DJ Rock-It, a Virginia Commonwealth University student who was born in Philadelphia, raised in the California Bay Area and now calls his hometown Virginia Beach, Virginia, has been designing since he was in the 11th grade where he came up with his first logo concept. Today his line, Ancient Thread Empire, most commonly referred to as ATE, has been featured in Richmond Fashion Week 2009, GroupMODA 2009 and for the past two years, STRUT, one of the biggest fashion shows in Virginia.
When asked what inspired him to create his clothing line, Meeks said “[I wanted] To start something new for the right reason. Not to start a trend, not to recreate a fad that died out, not to start off where somebody ended, but to create something unique that people would embrace not only because of the unique designs and concepts but the reason behind it. Through the designs in ATE you can see inspirations from everyday lifestyle, childhood muse, and the culture evolving throughout inimitable generation."
Meeks likes to go by a quote from his favorite lyricist, Nas who has said “No idea’s original, there's nothing new under the sun. It's never what you do but how it's done."
“I know that nothing is really original. I try to find a way to do something that hasn't done before in every design. Putting different elements into concepts that isn't ‘supposed to be there’ and making it look intriguing.”
Residents of the VCU/Richmond area can find his designs exclusively at the store Need Supply in the historic shopping area in Richmond named Carytown. In December, he has plans on opening an online store.
When asked in a perfect world, where he would like to see his clothing line in 5 years, Meeks replied “In our exclusive boutique stores in 8 locations: VA Beach, Richmond, LA, NY, Japan, Paris, and London. Also to have a portion of every sale donated to, Achievements Through Education, a scholarship fund that will assist under-privileged students with tuition. He states, "at that point we will be sending over 100 students to college on full scholarship every year.”
But in a perfect world everyone’s dreams come true. – Meeks
Ancient Thread Empire can be reached at: info@ateclothing.com / ateclothing.com coming soon!
Story by FBYA Journalist Intern, Cheryl Johnson, a student at Virginia Commonwealth University
Jane from the immensely popular blog, seaofshoes.com, graciously agreed to an interview with us recently and this is a glimpse of her take on her inspiration, life, and her blog...
1.What inspired you to start the blog, Sea of Shoes? Why the emphasis on shoes?
Sea of Shoes started as a weekend project. I was inspired by my favorite blogs, Kingdom of Style and
Style Bubble. I chose shoes as the emphasis because I collect them.
2. What are your influences (fashion, life in general)?
My influences for fashion are the 70's and 80, style icons, Tina Chow and Bianca Jagger, and fashion photographer Helmut Newton. My influence for life in general is, Yves St. Laurent. His beliefs about aesthetics translated to every aspect of his life.
3. What are your career aspirations? Journalism, design, etc.?
I would love to design shoes someday, but I am also considering working as a buyer or brand consultant.
4. What are your favorite blogs, websites, magazines?
5. What has been your biggest challenge with your blog and what have you learned since its inception about blogging, journalism?
My biggest challenge with my blog has been managing my correspondence, finding time to create quality content for my blog and coping with my fear of flying for all the traveling I have to do. Thanks to my blog I have learned that journalism is not for me.
6. What advice would you give an aspiring blogger?
I would tell them to take a point of view that sets them apart from other fashion bloggers. With so many fashion blogs around these days, it is hard to stand out. If you want to blog about travel, food, personal style, etc. I would suggest investing in a good camera. It is a fun hobby to pick up and the results are very gratifying.
7. What school do you attend?
I am enrolled in Westlake Academy
*Jane's blog was recently cited in the November issue of, Instyle Magazine, as one of the most respected fashion blogs* Visit: seaofshoes.com
Thanks Jane!
At FBYA we are gearing to launch "FBYA TV" and we need a student "News Anchor" intern!!!
Imagine free entry into all FBYA sponsored events (and for 2010, we've got an onslaught of them on deck)
and attendance to other fashion and arts related events here in Dallas!
You will be interviewing attendees at events and visiting local boutiques, artists and indie designer studios for interviews. They will be taped and uploaded onto FBYA TV!
You MUST not be shy and have a strong interest in TV Reporting/Journalism!!!
Contest Rules:
DEADLINE: Monday, November 30th, 2009
DETAILS: Submit a 5 to 7 minute video of you interviewing a total stranger in a public setting about fashion and conclude with why we should select you to be our "News Anchor" intern.
DURATION: The internship will last til June, 2010
THE MUST: You must be currently taking journalism or mass communication or related courses
GRADE LEVEL/AGES: You must be at least a high school Junior to college Sophmore
PLEASE EMAIL US A LETTER OF INTEREST AND VIDEO TO:
fashionbenefitingyouthartists@gmail.com
For questions please email us at the email above or call our office at:
214-272-9982
GOOD LUCK!!!
We need a few more models to round out our catwalk crew for our Holiday "Hollywood Vixen" Fashion Show, December 11, at the Via Pelle Boutique.
WHERE: Via Pelle Boutique, 3699 McKinney Avenue, Dallas, TX, Suite 312 (Next to Lucky Brand Jeans) West Village Shopping Complex
WHEN: Wednesday, November 11, 6p to 7p
REQUIREMENTS: Ages 14-22, At least 5'8
Bring Comp Card or Recent Professional Photo and Heels
We are looking for models that can be transformed into a Hollywood Starlet of yesteryear!
Please RSVP to:
fashionbenefitingyouthartists@gmail.com
Or Call: 214-272-9982
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