Episode 15 | The Other 'F' Words with Brandice Daniel, CEO of Harlem's Fashion Row
THE FASHION EDITION
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Warning! You might want to don your favourite outfit while eavesdropping into this episode.
Kicking it with me in the Lounge is Brandice Daniel. CEO & Founder of Harlem’s Fashion Row.
In the Lounge, we discuss the F words: Fashion, the Force (that strong persistent feeling that motivates you to start your own business), the Fears (and taking risks, or cliff jumping as Brandice calls it), the Fire (source that inspire and re-ignite your passion) and the Fundamentals. During this COVID-19 pandemic, Brandice has created full pivot plans during to innovate within her business. This includes the launch of her first non-profit virtual event and fashion show showcasing designers of colour from the front row of our living rooms on Saturday 30th May 2020. HFR Presents ICON360. With all proceeds going back to these designers. Eavesdrop into the full episode by clicking the below Apple Podcasts or Spotify links to learn more.
SHOW NOTES
Brandice Daniel on….
00:03:16 - Who she is and her company, Harlem’s Fashion Row.
00:04:43 - Her name story: how the name ‘Brandice’ was born.
00:06:28 - Exploring the first ‘F’ word: the Force that birthed HFR and what got her passionate about elevating designers of colour.
00:10:10 - The resources Brandice did not readily have at her disposal to get HFR off the ground and how she acquired them. The harsh realities of being in the Big Apple with no money and no connections.
00:11:15 - Accepting help from your friends and how she acquired most of her resources by taking people up on their offers.
00:13:20 - Passion and going after your idea full throttle, no matter what. How passion will attract those resources you are looking for.
00:15:30 - Summarizing her top tips for budding entrepreneurs who want to start their own business. Be brave. Get comfortable with the discomfort. Leverage your tribe. Go towards your goals and be courageous/say the thing you need.
00:16:23 - Fashion. Rediscovering her personal style and shopping designers of colour.
00:16:26 - Her why she has set closet goals. “My goal is to have 80% of my closet be designers of colour.” Wow.
00:21:46 - What fashion should really mean.
00:23:27 - The shifts she has experienced first-hand within the fashion industry. She touches on race and racism in fashion.
00:27:07 - What she is still yearning to see change in the industry. There are no multi-billion dollar fashion brands owned by black designers today, yet we spend $22 billion and more on apparel.
00:28:19 - Her first upcoming fundraiser. The HFR Icon 360 non-profit and virtual fashion event which sees the worlds of fashion, sports and philantrophy coming together 30th May, 2020. All proceeds to go to designers of colour.
00:29:42 - How designers of colour can attract visibility to their work and step out from behind. The dos and don’ts.
00:32:25 - Debunking on myth (mynth, as i said! Shaking my own head here…) on the fashion industry.
00:34:06 - Fears and confidence killers. She is human and still has them today. Brandice talks about the importance of cliff jumping.
00:37:55 - What she wishes she knew before starting her career. The importance of sales and marketing.
00:40:19 - An example of a Failure she has experienced and how she learned from it. “I think it is better we quit something we know that we don’t love versus trying to force it to work.”
00:44:05 - When she last celebrated herself.
00:46:25 - The Fire. Brandice shares her go-to sources to re-ignite her flame.
00:50:12 - The Fundamentals: 1 skincare, makeup, hair product and fashion essential. Brandice spills the tea on her faves.
00:54:00 - A personal note of advice to all listeners from Brandice. You are brave! Where to follow Brandice: @brandicedaniel, www.brandicedaniel.com, @harlemsfashionrow, www.harlemsfashionrow.com
00:55:35 - The lightening round. Everyone’s favourite bit. A series of quick questions on popular culture.