We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Edward Eliesya J Wallace a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Edward Eliesya J, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

The Legacy I want to build is one that never stops giving….love for thy neighbor and compassion. I bring people together with the gift of Fashion as Fashion Designer Edward Eliesya. Fashion is like food and music, it’s art that most often times depending on the designer transcends the average thought processes. Fashion is the game changer that unites us and sometimes inspires us to do great things. I create one of a kind masterpieces that are high quality and affordable. I let the world live in my love and my vision. My clothing line Echelon Streetwear is dedicated to those lost to Gun Violence and the families they left behind. We are the Echelon ! Honoring our loved ones while looking trendy and chic but also give back to the community.. My little brother was killed leaving behind 6 kids. A portion of the proceeds go to families like his. I hope this clothing line is worn forever and the proceeds help those families affected❤️

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hello everyone. My name is Edward Eliesya J Wallace, and I am a Fashion Designer originally from Brooklyn, New York raised in NC and now I reside in Atlanta, GA. I got into fashion at a very young age. My mother Cassandra Cunningham was a front-page model in the 70’s in New York. My grandmother was very chic at all times, world traveled, spoke many languages and a part of the Queens NY Bourgeoisie Echelon. My introduction to fashion was at birth. My father was one of the Best Dressed Gentleman in Brooklyn. Growing up I was kind of chunky and did not care for the clothing my mother provided unless I was picking them out. Growing up with a single mom that was not always an option after moving to the south. I still retained my northern roots even after leaving NY at an early age. In 7 or 8th grade I went to NY for the summer as usual and I got a Louis Vuitton sweatsuit. From home I had already my favorite pair of jeans that had the perfect fit but were getting rips and the knee and one on the thigh area. Not knowing how innovative it was back then, but I cut the monogrammed Louis V off the sweatshirt and sewed it into the ripped area on my jeans and wore them to school. Instant success. I loved them and everyone else did too. Well life happened and I grew up dabbling here and there making garments for my friends. One in particular my best friend Jennifer Richardson R.I.P. Jennifer had style galore, and she loved my pieces and would always wear them out when we went clubbing. My brand is Edward Eliesya (pronounced Elijah). My first name Edward was given to me by my parents because my grandfather’s name was Edward Simms on my dad’s side and Eliza Mae Cunningham my grandmother from my mom’s side. I loved the named Elijah out of the bible so I came up with the name from those people that meant a great deal to me because without them I would have never been conceived. Edward Eliesya is a Luxury Lifestyle Brand with Custom Pieces that solve the problem of ill-fitting clothing that doesn’t represent who you are as a individual. Through consultation, fitting, design, refitting, and completion, I take my VIP clients on their own personal journey of fashion exploration, design and ultimately making their dreams a reality. What sets me apart is I am down to earth, affordable, and unique in every way shape and form. Fashion is my life and passion. I am most proud of my accomplishments. I am in 31 magazines not including this one. I have a brand that is growing as well as my fans base. I have won The Presidential Achievement Award for Volunteer Service as well as Fashion Designer Mogul on the Rise and the national Black I Am Awards in September of this year; I have multiple movie roles and acting gigs and stores want to carry my merchandise. I will also be on Walmart.com as Eliesya J’s Boutique very soon. Please reach out to me as @edwardeliesya on IG and Edward Eliesya J Wallace on Facebook.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My whole store is one of sheer resilience. After leaving NY, my family moved to a very racist town in the south. Southern Pines, NC. Life here for me was not easy at all. Coming from NY and just being different was very hard growing up. I fought constantly. Instead of going to school and getting my schoolwork done I was fighting for my life most days. I was bullied for many years until I started to fight back. When you are young and gong through puberty and things like that and feeling different didn’t help. So, this trickled into my teen years and into adult life where when I became an adult instead of leaving the racist town to better myself and quality of life, I stayed to my detriment. The fights continued, and to add fuel to the flame, the local police was not a fan, and I was accused of crimes I didn’t commit, locked up, labeled, suffered countless bust in warrantless searches in my apartments causing me to lose them, accused of rape, accused of trying to kill a cop, and so much more. I owned my own business in Aberdeen, NC and my reputation ruined, and I was sent to prison. I moved away to Fayetteville after prison to start over and life began anew. I started modeling and my first modeling and design job was for Nikki Minaj’s first Iconic hairdresser Terrence Davidson. It’s Up ever since.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I think Dope publications like Canvas Rebel, Voyage ATL, and Shoutout ATL have helped as well as Iconique Magazine, Fashchic Magazine, Brian Hamilton Foundation, Inmates to Entrepreneurs and the numerous Podcasts, The Fayetteville Observer, and The Black I Am Awards and social media has helped me and my brand tremendously. I do alot of Fashion Shows globally and Famiglia Doro TV has been a great outlet also that has my Fashion Show at Paragon 3 on the Global Streaming Network. Also having quality, one-of-a-kind high fashion garments always helps. Everyone loves quality custom made clothing.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.eliesyajs.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/edwardeliesya
• Facebook: facebook.com/edwardeliesyaj
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/edward-wallace-11
• Twitter: @blaqueowned09
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkikkP-0VsOJNN6oCmLzldw
• Other: Edward Eliesya – https://eliesya69.wixsite.com/mysite
• Tik Tok: https://www,tiktok.com/@edwardeliesya
• Snap Chat: https://t.snapchat.com/du05HtJv

Image Credits
BossLady of Memphis Edward Eliesya J Wallace Judi Cantley – Alexis Grace