The Designer Issue

THE DESIGNER ISSUE
The Level21 Team
Publisher & Chief Executive Officer
Tempestt Harris (CEO)
Chief Operating Officer/ Editor In Chief
Maresa Scott (COO)
Chief Financial Officer
Anitra Scott (CFO)
Creative Director
Michael Lopez
Administrative Staff
Sales Executive
Anitra Scott
Sales
Michelle Mitchell
Ashley Lindo
Contributor
Contributor/ Correspondent
Shartiera Wilkerson
Graphic Design
Layout Designer
Antoine Boderick
Fashion
Stylist
Jerry Thompson
Style and Wardrobe Contributor
Jekia Benson
Makeup Artist
Alexis Washington
April Hill
Writers
Writer
Desi Helm
Contributing writer
Marage Blakeney
Contributing writer
Chris Pointe
Co-Editor Intern
Bianca Allan
Writer Intern
Chris Lewis
Blogger/ Journalist Intern
Kaitlin Booe
Photography
Antoinne Duan Jones
Laurence Logan-The T.Z Studio
Todd Youngblood
Glen Byrd- Photo X Words
Videography
Toussaint Studios-
Emmanuel Toussaint
Corporate Public Relations
Pac Public Relations
Digital
Level21 Media LLC.
Yumpu
Wribits

THE
DESIGNER
ISSUE
2018
39 19
48 30

By Ch r is L ew is
UVANA DO RAN
The Woman With An Eye for Innovation!
Say hello to Uvana Doran! She is a forward-thinking designer from
New York, who relocated down to the Triad area here in North Carolina
just four years ago. She has studied fashion design at The Fashion
Institute of New York, and has a Bachelor?s of Science in Fashion
Merchandising and Design from North Carolina A&T State University, so
you know she is definitely an expert when it comes to style! She has
worked with Paul Carroll, a renowned New York designer, where she
gained valuable knowledge in creating fabulous designs and developing
new products.
We interviewed Uvana recently where she graciously gave us some
insight on her background as well as her experiences working in the
fashion industry thus far. Check it out!
Can you t ell our readers about your background in fashion
design?
I studied Fashion Design at The Fashion Institute of technology in
NY and North Carolina A&T State University receiving a Bachelor?s
of Science degree in Fashion Merchandising and Design. During
my studies I've worked with renown designer Paul Carrol, as well
as, participated in a number of events both locally and abroad.
Please describe your designing process. Fem inine, evolving,
classic chic.
A bit of Diana Ross in 1975's Mahogany mixed with the
structured edge and a power of Grace Jones.
What or w ho inspires you?
I'm inspired by classic feminine silhouettes, clean lines, and the
retro flair of Harlem, NY during the 70's.
If you could bring back an old fashion t rend t hat is now out
of st yle, w hat w ould it be?
For me, there is nothing "old" in fashion. Fashion is cyclical and
rhythmic.
What is t he m ost rew arding aspect of being a part of t he
fashion indust ry?
The ability to stand on a competitive platform, be loyal to your
own design aesthetic and create wearable art that is
unapologetic.
Nam e one person, fam ous or som eone you know personally,
t hat has influenced your personal st yle t he m ost and how
did t hey do so?
6
My mother, she is indeed Every Woman.

What is one im port ant lesson or piece of advice t hat aspiring
fashion designers should learn before t hey break int o t he
indust ry?
Pace yourself, learn when to be a cup and at what point you are
called to be a vessel. Find an accountability partner, someone
who will remind you of why you started. Learn when to say no
once you develop brand equity (no need to be everywhere, in
everything. There is a blessing in selectivity!) Last but not least,
be a vessel. Pour what you learned into another emerging
designer's cup.
Who are som e designers you w ould love t o w ork w it h?
Donna Karan, Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, and too bad
Alexander McQueen is gone, his designs cater to my Grace Jones
side.
Can you describe t o our readers your experience w orking
w it h Goodw ill Rock t he Runw ay?
Working with Goodwill Rock the Runway was a great way for me
to break into and connect with the industry here in the South as
well as other emerging designers in my area. New York can be
over saturated with professionals and beginners alike in this
industry. Moving to NC gave me a chance to spread outside of
my comfort zone and help contribute to the budding fashion
industry right here in the South. Being named Designer of the
year for Goodwill's Rock the Runway 2015 was such an
achievement and a wonderful experience.
What are your fut ure plans for your fashion career?
I'm truly excited about being able to market my brand and line
this Fall 2018. I'm looking forward to elevating my platform as an
African American designer and becoming a brand to reckon with
in the Industry. A posh boutique presence is definitely in my
future, as well as, a studio space dedicated to pouring back into
future designers. As a designer and as an apparel teacher at a
visual and performing arts school, it is equally important for me
to give back as it is for me to pursue higher levels of success and
achievements of my own.
Where can our readers reach you and see your designs?
Readers, potential clients, and collaborators can reach me via my
website UVANADORAN,COM or by way of Instagram Uvana
Doran.
We?d like to thank Uvana Doran for the opportunity to learn more
about her and we wish her all the best in her flourishing career!

What Happens When You
Exercise Your Faith And
Your Body?
By: Marage Blakeney
According to the United States Department of Health
and Human Services, ?less than 5% of adults participate
in 30 minutes of physical activity each day; only one in
three adults receive the recommended amount of
physical activity each week.? Although these statistics
may be alarming to some people, Christophe and
Nicole Pointe are doing something exciting to reverse
these trends. They are the illustrious owners of
Anytime Fitness located in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
They had to overcome the barriers that come from
public scrutiny and resource funding to let their
naysayers know that ?nothing is impossible with God?.
Recently, Level 21 had the wonderful opportunity to
discuss their journey:
Tell us a little bit about your journey to becoming owners
of Anytime Fitness.
Before I becam e an ent repreneur, I w orked in t he
healt hcare indust ry for t w o decades. During t hat
t im e, I co-aut hored a self help book ent it led, ?Alone
in t he Mult it ude? and assist ed in t he form at ion of
a non-profit organizat ion t hat w as specifically
designed t o m ent or young boys and girls from
disadvant aged backgrounds. That w as m y first st int
in t he w orld of business and servicing t he
com m unit y providing valuable experience in
various w ays. While operat ing m y non-profit
organizat ion I learned how t o priorit ize helping
ot hers above all else. I also learned t he value of
part nering w it h ot her organizat ions t o have a
great er im pact . One day m y w ife saw an old friend
w ho m ist akenly assum ed she w as pregnant . This
w as t he cat alyst t o jum p st art ing her on a fit ness
journey t hat w ould t ake bot h of us int o a w hole
new direct ion.
How did Nicole react when someone thought that she was
pregnant?
When m y w ife w as m ist aken for being pregnant ,
she w as devast at ed. She did not show it out w ardly,
but I could t ell her feelings w ere hurt . Inst ead of
becom ing discouraged, t his incident creat ed an
insat iable drive t hat m ade her st op at not hing t o be
healt hy. It becam e her m ot ivat ion. Over t he course
of t he follow ing year, she lost 80 pounds. From
t here I convinced her t o st art her ow n YouTube
8
fit ness channel, AshPoint e, in order t o help ot hers
in t he sam e sit uat ion. She garnered over 17,000
follow ers by giving w orkout t ips, diet ary advice and
personal encouragem ent . I appeared in several
videos and t he feedback w e received w as
overw helm ingly posit ive. That feedback gave m e
t he idea t hat w e could w ork t oget her in fit ness if
present ed t he right opport unit y. While searching
for business vent ures t o invest in, I discovered
Anyt im e Fit ness.
Why did you choose Anytime Fitness, rather another
franchise gym?
I chose t he Anyt im e Fit ness franchise because t heir
core values (People, Purpose, Profit s, Play) aligned
w it h m ine. I also researched how t he brand focuses
on m aking t he w hole person healt hier far beyond
just fit ness. Aft er reaching out t o t he corporat e
headquart ers, I w as quickly faced w it h t he harsh
realit y t hat buying a brand franchise w ould t ake
m ajor capit al t hat I sim ply did not have. Aft er
get t ing over t he init ial disappoint m ent , I did m ore
research and discovered t hat t here w as an exist ing
Anyt im e Fit ness for sale in Rock Hill, SC.
How difficult was it to secure funding and create a plan to
own your business?
It w as a challenge t o creat e a business plan. I had

w rit t en one before, so I had t o research all t he det ails of running a business, dem ographics, m arket ing
plans, operat ional inform at ion and a host of ot her aspect s of running a business. It w as a great learning
t ool t hat helped m e underst and how t o properly run m y business. Securing funding w as a different
hurdle. I creat ed proposals and present ed t he opport unit y for cert ain individuals t o invest . Also, I ut ilized
m y ow n invest m ent account s. Finding funding forced m e t o ident ify all of m y pot ent ial resources and
det erm ine how t o effect ively access t hem for business purposes. My w ife and I proceeded t o w rit e a
business plan and raised t he funds t o purchase our dream . Now w e?re proud ow ners of our ow n fit ness
facilit y w here w e help people by sim ply using w orking out as our t ool.
What advice do you have for future entrepreneurs who want to transform their vision to a sustainable reality?
My advice for ot her pot ent ial business ow ners w ould be t o plan, plan, and plan. Inform at ion is not only
pow er; but it is also a blueprint on how your vision is t ruly going t o look. My second piece of advice is t o
t ake st eps t hat put you closer t o your dream every single day.
The best way to exercise is to know that your faith will a greater yield in your personal, spiritual, and physical life.
We must stretch our muscles. According to Harvard Health, ?we all need to stretch in order to protect our mobility
and independence...without it, the muscles shorten and become tight. Then, when you call on the muscles for
activity, they are weak and unable to extend all the way. That puts you at risk for joint pain, strains, and muscle
damage.? However, if we follow the Pointe?s example, we will discover what happens when we exercise our faith
and our bodies in a positive ways. It may be the deciding factor in our spiritual and physical growth from
degeneration to regeneration.
For more information please visit, www.anytimefitness.com

Photographer: Laurence Logan
Model: Fiona Rose

DEAR MODELS,
Take care of yourselves.
Modeling carries its own health concerns. A small study by Model Alliance, an advocacy
group focused on improving working conditions for models, in conjunction with
researchers at Northeastern and Harvard universities, found that 81% of the models
surveyed reported a body mass index of less than 18.5, which the World Health
Organization deems ?underweight.? Likewise, the pressure frequently led to what they
called ?unhealthy weight control behaviors,? including eating disorders. In that regard at
least, modeling is sort of like being a professional football player? a job with enough
prestige that it attracts people willing to risk their health for it.

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dolore magna aliquyam erat.

BE FREE.

16
"Don't be into trends.
Don't make fashion own
you, but you decide what
you are, what you want to
express by the way you
dress and the way to live."
? Gianni Versace

18

TYGERIAN LACE
FROM IMAGINATION TO RUNWAY
DESIGNER TYGERIAN BURKE
A Day In The Life..
We watch as Tygerian Burke skillfully
creates her pieces effortlessly.
Photography by Laurence Logan-The.TZ .Studio
By Chris Pointe
When it comes to fashion
the brand means everything!
When it comes to premier
designer clothing Tygerian
Lace this is especially the
case. The self-titled brand is
the diversified brain child of
fashion designer Tygerian
Lace a charismatic young
professional respectfully
epitomizing today?s modern
femininity to the tee.
?In 2014 I decided to start
Tygerian Lace, she remarks
openly,? I was a young
working mom in corporate
America and I was in a space
where I just wanted to revamp
my style.? At that time her
closet was at the mercy of the
Forever 21?s of the world and
Tygerian simply wanted
something different. ?I said
I?ll just get a machine and
start sewing.? She began with
the idea of making designer
clothes, which she typically
couldn?t afford, specifically
for herself. Inevitably her new
style began catching the
attention of other people. It
was at that point that she sat
down with her mom and
grandmother to discuss the
possibility of it becoming a
legitimate business to delve
into.
?My mom is a free spirit and
she?s not in a box. She was
like, go for it!? ?My
grandmother, on the other
hand, is more of a planner so
"CUSTOMER
INTERACTION"
her first reaction was how will
you support yourself?? With
the growing success of
Tygerian Lace her
grandmother is now her
biggest supporter. ?It?s funny
to see her commenting and
sharing information on social
media about the brand now.?
It was from both of those two
maternal figures that Tygerian
inherited her winning attitude.
?I guess it was passed down
to me to always believe that
nothing was impossible.?
So much of Tygerian?s
personality is embodied
within her designs. She?s glitz
and glam at times but as
simplistic as t-shirt and jeans
at other moments. Her styles
encompass a little bit of
everything from ready to wear
ensembles to embellishment
laden outfits alike. ?My brand
has quality and character. It?s
fearless because it makes you
feel like you can conquer the
world. Tygerian Lace
empowers women through its
versatility and allows them to
have a fearless approach to
the various aspects of
womanhood.? Today?s
modern woman is diverse,
and the brand captures that
facet of feminine character
perfectly.
So, why is lace such an
important signature of the
Tygerian Lace brand? ?Lace
is my middle name,? Tygerian
responds with candid
confidence. ?It?s also one of
my favorite fabrics to design.
It?s almost like it?s destiny.?
Take a brief glance at her
collection and you quickly get
the sense that much of her
designs feel like they were
simply meant to be.
?My goal is always to give
my customers a custom
interaction. I?m not a
seamstress; that merely makes
things. I give you the ability
to interact with what your
design is going to be.? The
Tygerian experience is
definitely one intended to
leave you feeling unique and
ultra-special.
?If I had to give advice to
other aspiring designers it
would be to always ask
questions. Don?t let others
simply offer you services,?
Lace admonishes. ?Ask why
they?re shooting from certain
angles...why they?re using a
specific lighting.?
Understanding the full

"TL is a design label that explores the
unconventional paring of textures and
silhouettes. A bold yet timeless aesthetic
for any woman. "
Continued..
spectrum of the business is what
Tygerian stresses. ?That?s how you
grow,? she exhorts.
Tygerian?s brand is as daring as she is
and it truly embodies the traits that
make her unique even in a sea of
other brands.
What started as an endeavor, solely to
suit her personal stylistic taste buds, is
quickly blossoming into the standard
in women?s fashion. Tygerian Lace
may soon be the next big thing.Be on
the lookout for her Designer Square
Opening in Charlotte next month.
tyger

ian

TYGERIAN LACE

TYGERIAN LACE

Photo by Godisable Jacob
Model: Melody

30

CHARLES JOSEF
More About
By Chris Lewis

"GET TO KNOW YOUR MARKET, THEIR TASTE AND THEIR
FINANCES. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO CATER TO BOTH"
Charles Josef is making waves across
the nation all the way from the scenic
town of Asheville, North Carolina! He is a
fashion mastermind, creating men?s
swimwear and wedding attire that
continues to make heads turn. People
come from miles around to get custom
made attire from Charles Josef?s design
studio. His renowned collections have
also been seen on the runways of New
York Fashion Week. If that isn?t incentive
enough to check out the genius behind
these aesthetically intriguing collections,
then we don?t know what is!
We recently interviewed with the
fashion designer to learn more about
how he got his start and what inspires
him to create such fabulous designs.
Can you t ell us a lit t le bit about your
background and how you st art ed
your business m aking bridal at t ire?
Well, I not only make bridal attire. I
make swimsuits and I produce a variety
of items in the studio. I?ve sewn since I
was a child. My grandmother was a
sample seamstress in the garment
district in New York. She taught me how
to sew when I was very young. I
continued with it and got my degree in it
and went from there.
Your am azing designs have been
feat ured in New York Fashion Week.
What w as t hat like for you?
It was a wonderful experience. It's
always nice to show things and get a
very good response. It?s nice to show
everything on a larger stage and get the
brand out. For many years, I was a
custom designer and now I?m building
the brand. I?m being more commercial. It
was a great time and an asset to have
people see them on a larger scale.
What inspirat ions do you draw from
w hen you are creat ing a design?
I usually am inspired by my clients or
what they are doing. In other words,
venues, cities, places, events, those
things will inspire me. I imagine what
the client in question is going to wear to
that event or place. I just picture the
garment that would be perfect in that
setting.
If you have t o nam e or describe in
det ail one bridal gow n t hat you?ve
designed t hat w as your all-t im e
favorit e t o creat e, w hat w ould it be?
It would be the butterfly gown that I
made last year. I think it?s very different.
It stands out among bridal gowns
because it has color in it, even though
it?s mostly white. I think it?s the perfect
gown for an outdoor wedding, whether
it?s casual or formal. The dress works
well with the outdoor setting. The textile
that I used in it is one that I designed as
well.
What seem s t o be a com m only
desired t hem e, if any, am ong
cust om ers w ho ask for a cust om
design from your st udio?
The current themes for men?s swimwear
are mermaid/merman, nautical, fish
scales. People are really asking for that.
As far as bridal, people are asking for
bohemian style dresses and 70's
inspired dresses. Those are what people
seem to really be gravitating towards.
Please t ell our readers w hat set s
your bridal at t ire and evening
collect ion apart from ot her design
st udios.
For one, it?s made here in Asheville. It is
a local brand. I utilize local labor. There
is a line that you can purchase. Every
dress is customizable. If a bride does
not want to get a gown custom
designed, she can customize her
ready-made gown from the line to make
it very unique. There are so many
possibilities that brides can get by
coming to me versus what they can get
from a dress from a conventional bridal
salon. Whether it?s just buying other
designers?gowns and selling them, here
you have options and you?re able to
partially create the gown that you want
if you don?t exact see it on the rack.
What w ould you say is t he m ost
int erest ing or rew arding aspect of
being apart of t he fashion indust ry?
Getting the opportunity to do what I
love!
What advice w ould you give t o
aspiring fashion designers and
part icularly t hose w ho w ould like t o
design bridal gow ns as w ell?
My advice would be to really get to know
your market, their tastes and their
finances. It is very important to cater to
both.
Where can Level21 readers cont act
you and see som e of your designs?
Men?s wear, you can see them at
charlesjosef.com. Bridal attire can be
seen on my website
charlesjosefbridal.com. And of course,
clients can always make appointments
to come to the studio!
Recently, Charles Josef brought his 2018
Retreat Collection for Men to New York
which features an expanded group of
menswear in his Swim and Resort line.
The line will include exclusive prints,
resort wear, and alternative evening and
wedding attire. We are sure that this will
make quite the splash in the fashion
industry! We would like to thank Charles
Josef for interviewing with us, and we
wish you continued success!

CHARLES JOSEF

When She Leaves...
TODAY
You need t o m ake a change.
Keeping yourself busy is no good.
Your mind is not where it should be. You are constantly thinking about her so you are
probably at about 10% capacity.
The key is to treat yourself. Take yourself out on a date.
Take a day or two off from work, go to a museum, a movie, go out with friends.
Treat yourself and put yourself in a completely different environment.
Leave town if you can. Stay in a bed and breakfast where you never stayed before.
But you have to totally change your environment for at least a day.
Sleep at least eight hours.
I would say ten hours but many people can?t do that (I?m a professional at sleeping ten
hours).
If you have trouble sleeping that many hours because you are anxious about the
situation then go to your doctor, explain the situation, and get medication.
When I?ve been broken up with I was not able to sleep without the help of medication
Don?t w at ch TV.
Not even ?Mad Men?. Not even the news.
How come? Because on every TV show, including the news, people are either killing
each other, cheating on each other, or (in the case of the news) trying to ruin your
financial life.
You have enough troubles, you don?t need Don Draper?s troubles as well.
You might think, ?this will keep my mind off of X?. But it won?t.
It will just remind you of the most painful parts of your relationship with X.
Don?t Spy.
Which probably also means: No Facebook, Twitter, and limit all web surfing.
How come? The news is already bad. She or he left. She?s gone.
Any information you find out now is for what point? To win her back? To prove her
wrong? To prove you right or justified in yelling at her? What good will that do you?
It?s over.So you have to avoid outside stimulus that is going to make you feel bad and
just move forward.
Forgive yourself and her
So you did spy after all...So you threw a book in anger...So you were a complete jerk
and now she left and is with another man.So you got angry and cried and tried to argue
with her not to go...So the police came and picked you up. Okay, you were bad. But
you?re not a bad person. You just were abandoned. Maybe there are childhood issues
that need to be addressed to heal.
It brought back memories of every other time you were abandoned. The faster you
forgive yourself, the less likely this type of thing will happen in the future.
Maybe you deserve to have been left. But there?s seven billion people on the planet.
About half of them or of the opposite sex from you. You?ll find another one who is even
better.
36
By James A.
Photo:Bruce Mars

When He Leaves...
TODAY
When you?re lying awake in bed until 4 AM and you can?t stop the
tears from flowing down your face. When you can?t eat because
you?re so sick to your stomach. When you just don?t understand
what you could have done different or better in order to make
him stay.
When all those thoughts are streaming through your head on
repeat there?s something I want you to know; I want you to know
that you did nothing wrong. That you loved with your whole
heart, you gave him every piece of you and even tried to dig
deeper for more. I know it wasn?t hard for you to find more
though because loving him was easy for you and it was fun.
You loved him so much and he claimed he loved you too, but he
still left.
True love doesn?t just look you in the eyes and walk away,
especially when they don?t give you a justifiable answer.
That?s what hurts the worst; not even knowing why he?s walking
away. All you know is there is nothing that you can do to change
his mind because he?s so damn stubborn. He made the decision
for the both of you on his own and it?s not fair. It?s tearing you
more and more apart because now you can see it?s really over
and he?s not coming back.
But here?s the thing, he knows you didn?t do anything wrong, he
knows you loved him with your whole heart and he knows how
good of a girl you are, but he still let you go.
There is nothing wrong with you, Something he might not even
know, but subconsciously he knows he?s holding you back, he
knows you deserve a better life and you deserve better. He
knows something he isn?t telling you, that?s why he?s letting you
go.
He knows he hurt you, but he just doesn?t know how to make the
hurt go away. He thinks he?s doing what?s best for the both of
you, but you might not see that until the future after you?ve
reestablished yourself. Or maybe you?ll never see it and continue
to love him always, even through the pain.
All you can do is stay strong and stay true to yourself, let the
moments of weakness in and allow them to break you down into
a puddle of your own tears. Those moments of weakness and
vulnerability will only make you stronger.
You can?t see it now and I?m sure you?re sick of hearing that
things will get better, because right now it doesn?t feel like it, but
they will. That doesn?t mean you still won?t miss him or that you?ll
never think of him because you will. You?ll always remember him,
but maybe you?ll forget what his kiss felt like or what his
deodorant smelled like. Maybe you will forget the little things,
but you probably won?t ever forget him completely and that?s
okay.

T
WILLIAM WILSON
THE CLOTHIER
BY CHRIS POINTE
here are moments when clothes
are far more then just one?s outward
attire. They?re stints of time where
brand clad outfits personify way
more than just one?s status. They?re
expressions of esthetic genius.
They?re periods where ?made to
measure? humbly surrenders to
true custom. It?s also where one?s
intrinsic personality detonates into
physical reality. William Wilson
designer extraordinaire, creates
these moments with his clothing
line William Wilson Clothing.
His journey into fashion wasn?t a
direct path. Wilson served 8 years in
the U.S. Navy before landing on the
NASCAR pit crew of Ultra
Motorsports. There he became the
first African-American to win a
championship in NASCAR history.
From there William made the
transition from Motorsports to the
world of high profile custom
fashion. Here he?s designed looks
for the red carpet at the Emmys,
Oscars and the Grammys.
Wilson?s rise to fashion supremacy is
a story of humble beginnings,
seizing opportunities and
unadulterated drive. In this
exclusive interview he details how
he went from being a country kid
from the heartland of America to
clothing America?s powerful and
famous.
"I am from rural America...Where people know and help their
neighbors, and they appreciate the simple things in life."
Where are you from? How has your
origins influenced your brand?
William : I?m from a small town in
Arkansas called Gregory. I?m from
rural America. Farm country. Home
of hard working, good hearted, and
simple people. Where people know
and help their neighbors, and they
appreciate the simple things in life.
They aren?t trying to ?keep up with
the Jones ?. They?re just doing the
best they can in the position they
find themselves in. And they give
100%. That?s the William Wilson
brand. Both personally and
professionally. I give 100% to my
client. I want them to be happy. I
give it my all. I have sacrificed, cried,
laughed, risen and fallen all while
running this company. Sometimes
in the same day. But I love it.
Because every new day and every
new client, makes me a better
person, and subsequently allows me
to build a better brand.
How did you go from the pit crew to
being one of the most sought after
clothing designers in America?
38

Phot ography by Laurence Logan

William : It was honestly a lot of being at the right place at
the right time. Then recognizing opportunities when they
were presented, and going after them. And a WHOLE lot of
God. I owned a construction company, and I wore a lot of
suits because I went to a lot of meetings. One day, one of
my homeowners asked me to help him with his wardrobe.
That led to me to helping his friends as well. I eventually
thought ?Since I?m already telling them what to get, if I
could provide it, their may be a business in this. I started
doing some research and planning, and voila!! William
Wilson Clothing was born. Then I took what I knew about
people, branding and social media, and built the brand that
you know today.
In 3 words describe William Wilson Clothing.
William : Blessed, Humbled and Unapologetic
What sets your brand apart from the rest?
William : 4 things....1. I own the entire company. So you
deal with the owner. Not a incognito sales rep that looks
like the owner. I own my manufacturing as well. So I can
provide a unique level of service and options, no other
brand can offer.
2. We do TRUE custom. Not ?made to measure? so our
product is superior to most of he products in the
marketplace. And limited only by your imagination.
3. The client experience. My showroom is designed for
clients that seek accommodations that make them feel
special and appreciated. It?s stocked with top shelf spirits
and free WiFi so you can relax while you browse through
the fabrics.
4. I build relationships with my clients. They aren?t just
customers. We get to really know each other. They aren't
just a means to an end. They are important.
What would you say is your major passion behind your brand?
What motivates you to design?
William : My passion IS the brand. I love running it, growing
it, making adjustments. I like creating new brand strategies
and testing them out. I like seeing my ideas come to
fruition, and I enjoy learning where I went wrong when it
doesn't. And I love when I meet new people and the way
they react to the brand when they see it, or my work, in
person and on social media. And I love the responses that
they send me.
How long did it take for you to create your brand as a
business? What about that journey has stuck with you?
William : It actually happened rather quickly. My intent was
ALWAYS to build the company through the brand. This is
America, we thrive on wearing brands. Even if the product
is complete TRASH Americans will buy it, as long as the
branding is strong enough. Strong brands illicit almost
instantaneous credibility and trust. And after all, your
brand sets the expectation for the trust in you and your
product; and thus the success of your brand and/or
company.
What gets you more excited as a designer...the famous clients
that you design for or the notable events like the Grammys
where your styles will be displayed? Why?
William: Well, if those are my only 2 choices, I?d say the
clients. I make suits for some of the most famous and
powerful people on the planet. They could go anywhere for
their clothing. And the fact that they chose ME, out of
everyone else in the world, is both humbling and uplifting.
And when they order from you again, that let?s you know
they really do appreciate your work. Anyone can go to
those events. But to have your clothes ON the artist is far
more satisfying. But I get the most satisfaction from either
when a client puts on his first custom suit, or his/her first
William Wilson suit and can?t stop grinning and looking in
the mirror. That look in their eye is PRICELESS!
How is your personality reflected in your clothing line?
William : Only in the quality and strive for perfection in the
construction. I work with my clients to showcase THEIR
personality, not mine. I?m just their to earn and maintain
their trust that I can make their personality a physical
reality. If the client?s clothing reflected MY personality, I
may as well just sell out of the rack suits.
It?s been said that clothes don?t make the man but you?re
literally the man who makes the clothes...what do you want
your clothes to say about any man who wears them?
William : Well for one thing, I don?t just make clothes for
men. I make them for women as well. But as far as clothes
?making the man? they don?t. But they make his statement.
They let people know how they should look at you. Clothes
are an outward expression of what you think internally.
They set the foundation for your acceptance in society.
Look broke, people treat you broke. Look like a criminal,
people respond like you?re a criminal. Dress like a
professional, and people will more than likely treat you as
such. Even if you?re unemployed.
As for what I want my clothes to say about my client: I want
them to say, ?This is a man that wanted the best, sought
out the best, and now has the best. And he makes no
apology for out dressing you.?
What?s your ultimate vision for William Wilson Clothing? How
would you like to see it grow?
William : I would like to see it grow vertically. I want William
Wilson Clothing to be the beautiful woman in the room. I
want everyone to want it. But not be able to get it. I want it
to be above the standard, in a class all it?s own. I want it to
be a symbol of accomplishment. I want it to be sought out
and desired even more than it is now. I want it to be the
platinum standard. And I want my clients to feel like a
super hero when they wear them.
What advice would you give to aspiring clothing designers?
William : The same advice I?d give to anyone with an
aspiration: just start. I know that sounds like an
oversimplification. But it?s the truth. Too many people

CONTINUED
?want to? or ?aspire to?. I personally don?t care what anyone is aspiring to, or
dream about. I care about what they are working towards. Put in the work. You
can?t cheat the work. You can?t take shortcuts from the work. You can?t think, plan
and hope your way around the work. You HAVE to do the work, so you might as
well get started. You don't need a board certification, or pass a state exam to be
a designer. Just start designing. There?s always going to be a learning curve. But
the sooner you start, the sooner you can start seeing yourself up for success.
ww
Where can William Clothing be found?
William : If you are looking for custom, you have to make an appointment
through my website WilliamWilsonClothing.com. I also have some ready made
suits in my online store. Or you can reach out via Twitter or Instagram
(@TheClothier). Or Facebook at WearWilliamW

Phot ography by: Todd Youngblood
Models: Jordan Mitzel, Sophia Jolly,Rafael Horton, Alexandrea Lesane, Kamilya Karimova
Creat ive Direct or: Tempestt Harris
Wardrobe: Five13 studio
MUA: Paul Mitchell

46
CHARITY BAXTER

STAY O R SLAY?
Charity Baxter is the proud owner of H. Lerent. This luxury Fashion Boutique provides
unique and unforgettable attire for women. According to Charity, ?Every piece that we put
into our store is hand-picked. It?s curated to make you feel and look amazing. When you?re
in H. Lerent, it?s something special.? Just like the meaning of her name, Charity has a
unique gift of ?goodwill toward and love of humanity?. Her boutique is an extension of her
genuine love for making women feel and look exquisite. Recently, Level 21 had the
pleasure to speak with Charity in detail about her fascinating life and her luxury boutique:
Tell us a lit t le bit about yourself
and your fashion experience.
I am a native of Winston-Salem,
North Carolina. I began my career as
a makeup artist and I had an eye for
fashion. Naturally, these talents
afforded me an opportunity to
enlarge my territory by becoming a
boutique owner in 2004 in Atlanta.
Armed with the fashion and business
knowledge that I obtained in Atlanta,
I was able to open my own luxury
boutique, H. Lerent in Charlotte,
North Carolina.
How did you com e up w it h t he
bout ique?s nam e of H. Lerent ?
My children?s grandfather is Hepburn
Lerent. During the 1970?s, he was a
local fashion icon in Jamaica. He
wore the most unique pieces of
clothing that captured the attention
of all of the locals. Currently, he is
suffering from dementia. Before it is
too late, we wanted to honor his
THE INTERVIEW
By: Marage Blakeney
legacy and let him know that his
name will never be forgotten.
Therefore, we have two boutiques
named after him. One of the
locations is in Saint Catherine,
Jamaica and the other one is in
Charlotte.
What m ot ivat es you and keep you
going as a business ow ner?
H. Lerent is my ?baby?. Although
entrepreneurship has its challenges,
it is very rewarding. I ask God for
more patience and I received a
business. Therefore, I do not let the
seemingly ?road blocks? of being a
entrepreneur deter me. I love
working with people and making
women ?feel pretty?. If a woman feels
pretty, her whole attitude changes to
a positive one. Once our clients come
into H. Lerent, we provide them with
quality customer service to ensure
that they look and feel beautiful
inside and out. The reward of
transforming a person?s life is the
motivating factor to keeping me
going as a business owner.
What are your fut ure plans?
I have two plans that I am working
on. The first plan is to cater more to
the ?plus-size? demographics and
owning a plus-sized boutique.
Unfortunately, most of the clothing
options for plus sized women are
styles that either look like a grandma,
hooker, or teenager. I want to
provide stylish attire that would
make a curvy woman feel and look
elegant and amazing. Also, I want to
move to a centralized location that is
more accessible. Since this is my
baby, I want more people to come
visit my boutique. I believe that
moving to another location will allow
H. Lerent to grow and reach a wider
audience of women who desire to
feel and look fabulous.
How can our readers find H.
Lerent ?
H. Lerent is located at 5025 North
Tryon Street, Suite 107 in Charlotte,
North Carolina. They can also visit us
online at www.hlerent.com.
Charity and H. Lerent?s manta is,
?Fashion fades but styles remains. Be
more than fashionable, be
unforgettable.? In the words of Janna
Cachola, ?You have to slay it in life or
life will slay you.? So if you desire to
slay it in life, you can either stay at
home or opt to slay by making a trip
to H. Lerent to add more garment
artillery within your wardrobe
arsenal.
For more information on H. Lerent, visit
www.hlerent.com or discover them on social media
@h.lerentclt on Instagram or @hlerent on FaceBook.

By: Chris Lewis
MEET ENROOTZ
48
EnRootz is one of Charlotte?s most
unique design stores that features
ensembles that are heavily influenced
by Indian culture. The store is operated
by Mukta Ghangas, Manoj and Neeta
Singh. Mukta designs the clothes, while
Manoj handles business, while Neeta
helps Mukta?s ideas come to fruition
and deals with business operations in
India. The EnRootz Team works hard to
reach consumers on a global scale.
Their beautifully-crafted handmade
designs have been featured in New York
Fashion Week, which is a wondrous
opportunity!
They were happy to tell us their story
and gave us their take on today?s
fashion industry.
Please share your hist ory and
background w orking in fashion.
EnRootz, the fashion fiesta! It's now
been almost three years since this
fashion brand, EnRootz, came into
existence. It's the brain child of ex-IT
professional Mukta Ghangas who left
her profession to chase her dream of
entering the fashion world.
What inspirat ions do you pull from
w hen you are designing an art icle of
clot hing?
Mukta always wanted to create fashion
which would not only make ladies look
gorgeous but which would let her be
her real self. When it's about the
inspiration behind her designs, let's not
forget that she's true Indian in every
sense and all her pieces are inspired by
Indian culture. And to add to it, her
focus is to satiate global appetite for
fashion with Indian-ness attached.
Nam e your t op t hree favorit e
designs t hat you have already
creat ed.
Coral Saree made from Reza: This
handwoven Saree, made out of heritage
fabric Reza, is amongst her favorite.
Icing on the cake is the multi colored
sequin hand embroidery all over the
border edges and sprinkles on the
pallu.
Navy blue silk Kurta: This Anarkali
Kurta has Dabka hand embroidery on
yolk with an extension of work till one
of the wrists.
Green Dangri made out of Reza:

Fabric Reza is a versatile fabric and
this dress is a perfect example. This
also has got beautiful hand
embroidery on it.
What w ould you say is t he m ost
difficult or challenging aspect of
creat ing a design?
Although any design takes a lot of
designer?s imagination and work but
what I believe the most challenging
part is to maintain the uniqueness of
the outfits. When we know that what
we wear is exclusive, makes the
person wearing it so special.
Describe your experience w it h
having your designs feat ured in
New York Fashion Week. How did it
feel t o know t hat so m any people
w ould see your fabulous designs?
NY fashion week is a dream
destination for any fashion designer
and so was for us, a dream come true!
Exposure, new things to learn, to meet
established, as well as, new designers,
to share ideas and designs - there was
so much in the city. And like when we
were appreciated by one and all for
bringing Indian heritage fabric, Reza,
on international platform for the first
time, that feeling was no less than any
award.
EnRoot z also consist s of t w o ot her
ow ners, Manoj and Neet a Singh.
Can you t ell us w hat it ?s like t o
w ork w it h t hem along w it h t he
individual cont ribut ions bet w een
t he t hree of you?
EnRootz is a tripod with three pillars-
Mukta, the designer (owner in US);
Manoj, the marketing expert (the
volunteer) and Neeta, the executioner
(owner in India). Once any design is
finalized by Mukta, it becomes the
responsibility of Neeta to bring it to
reality. Being sisters, the bonding
always gives a comfortable edge to
convey ideas and helps in execution.
Manoj, whole heartedly volunteer to
extend all his support to wife Mukta
to fulfill her dream by taking care of
marketing.
If you had t o crit ique t he t oday?s
fashion indust ry, w hat w ould you
say?
Today's fashion industry has evolved
like never before and like everything
else it also has its own pros n cons.
This fast-growing industry has
overlooked the artisans who not only
work hard but are also part of our
heritage. Being the designers, we
should try to promote artisans who
work at the root level, who still do
hand work like weaving, embroidery
etc.
Nam e t hree designers you w ould
love t o collaborat e w it h!
You might call me biased but my
choice would be Indian designers
Sabyasachi; Manish Malhotra; Rohit
Bal; Payal Khandwala.
What fut ure plans do you have in
st ore for your fashion design
com pany?
EnRootz looks forward to becoming a
global brand, by setting up stores not
only across America and India but in
other countries as well.
Where can our readers cont act you
and view som e of your designs?
w w w.enroot z.com
w w w.fb.com / enroot zclot hing
We really appreciate EnRootz for
sharing their story with us. Best of
luck to you all, and we look forward to
seeing what you all come up with
next!

STAY ST RO N G W I T H
ARKEVIO US ARMSTRO NG
By Chris Lew is
Meet Arkevious Armstrong, an inspirational speaker, author, fashion designer, and businessman. A native of
Gastonia, he comes from a family of six children. He is the founder of the ?Step Up to Leadership? program, and
mentors troubled teens who are in need of guidance.
Since beginning his career as a mentor and motivational speaker, Armstrong has reached over 3,000 teens and
adults across the nation. His desire to see others succeed fuels his spirit and drive to speak in front of so many
people. His clothing line, Arkinspire/Inspire Apparel is catered to men, women, and children and is part of his
mission to see others become the ultimate version of themselves.
Can you t ell our readers a lit t le bit about your hist ory and background?
I was born in Gastonia, NC and I am the youngest of 6 siblings. Unfortunately, I come from an uneducated
background and grew up in an unstable environment that involved drug activity and physical and mental abuse. My
experiences that occurred during my youth was being placed in foster care, detention centers and being a high
school dropout with many run-ins with the law. These actions eventually landed me in prison on two separate
occasions. While incarcerated I earned my GED and completed many educational programs and received my
Associate Degree from Strayer University this allowed me to gain an earnest passion for empowering and
motivating individuals about the importance of education by helping them make healthier choices and decisions in
life. Since being released in 2006, I devote my time by mentoring, doing community outreach and becoming an
inspirationalist. In addition to this I also started a clothing line for mentoring program for young males, ?Step Up To
Leadership Mentoring Program.
What inspired you t o w rit e your first book?
I was inspired to write ?Destined For Victory? because I
wanted to develop a book for people to inspire and
motivate them every day before they start their day.
Your readers can pre-order the book at:
https://squareup.com/store/destinedforvictory/item/destined-for-victory
Tell us about how you st art ed your clot hing line,
Arkinspire/ Inspire Apparel.
I started my clothing line in 2017 because I want to have
something that people can wear that represented me
and what I stand for, which is ?Be Authentic, Be Different
and Be Inspired.
What advice w ould you give t o aspiring leadership
coaches?
The advice I would give a person wanting to become a
leadership coach is ?Be Authentic?.
How do you define success?
50
To me success has nothing to do with self-gain,
self-benefits but more so to do with what you do for
others and how you impact their lives.

If you could t hink of one com m on reason w hy m any people do not achieve t heir fullest pot ent ial in life,
w hat w ould you say t hat reason is?
I feel that people do not use their full potential in life because it is not urgent to them.
Please t ell us w hat has been t he m ost rew arding experience (som et hing t hat m ade you go, ?t his is w hy I
do t his?) of your career t hus far.
The most rewarding experience with everything I do is to get to see the impact that I am able to make in other
people's lives that are being changed and inspired.
Since you speak at event s oft en, w hat do you do t o prepare for a speaking engagem ent ?
Whenever I have an event, I prepare by going into a quiet place, listening to my favorite jazz group ?Odesza? and
meditate for about 10-15 minutes.
Finish t he sent ence: ?I am happiest w hen? ?
I am the most happiest when I am with my daughters because they are the apple of my eye.
Where can people find and purchase clot hes from Arkinspire/ Inspire Apparel and also, w here can t hey
get in cont act w it h you?
Everyone can purchase inspire apparel by visiting www.arkinspire.com
Facebook ,Youtube,-Arkevious J. Armstrong Instagram @Arkinspire81 twitter @Arkinspire17
Email ? aarkevious@gmail.com or vermettalmckay@gmail.com/ Phone# (704) 780-7852
Thank you to Arkevious for taking the time out to interview with us! We wish him all the best as he continues to
motivate so many people each and every day.

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