We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Twyla Grider. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Twyla below.
Twyla, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.
Stellar Creative Collective is truly a collective of independent artists. We respect the value of each artist and pay them their worth. We never haggle with them on their rates. Some consultants work with freelancers and the agencies often tell them what the client is willing to pay. But because our approach to always respect the art and the artist, we make sure that both the client (artist) and the contracted artist have a relationship that is fair and valuable for both parties. This creates an environment of trust and allows us as consultants to get the best results for our clients.
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?
I am the CEO and Founder of Stellar Creative Collective, LLC. We are an in-house design collective that helps young designers create fashion lines, we provide styling services and costume design, as well as couture ‘/ custom made pieces upon request. SCC Thrives on a network of minority designers, artists, artisans, technicians and small factories all over the united states. If you imagine it, we can get it done!
Many times, our clients come to us because they have an amazing idea and they just don’t know how to make it happen. We work with them from concept to production providing them with a team of skilled designers, merchants and manufacturers to get it done!
We also offer individual services on the design side such as design sketches, technical sketches and tech packs, logo design and packaging, and print design. And on the product development and production side, we offer fabric sourcing and small batch production assistance. Everyone on our team has worked in the industry for at least 5 years or more. One of our most senior members has over 20 years experience as a Master Tailor.
Our latest project, The World Games 2022 Opening Ceremony, was one of the largest projects we’ve done because it called upon all of us to stretch ourselves. Together, we designed and produced over 400 costumes, designed Custom Made Suiting and Couture pieces for celebrity guests, and styled an additional 20 celebs for this amazing live streamed event. I’m so very proud of our team!
We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.
Instead of using the word hustle, I will use the word flow. I became a consultant through relationships that were built over the span of my career as a designer and stylist. I became an expert on all things fashion among my friends and colleagues. As my fabulous friends became recognized for their impeccable fashion sense, people would ask for fashion advice and they would refer them to me.
At the time, I was a full-time designer but would consult people interested in either styling services or starting their own collections. The clients truly flowed to me, and I would take them as they came. As clients continued to flow, I realized I had a true passion for helping young artists get started and the network to support them. My years of experience and relationships built within the industry formed a collective of professionals excited to not only impart their wisdom and expertise, but also excited about deciding when they wanted to work and the value of their work.
During the pandemic, an amazing opportunity flowed to me to become the Design Director for the Opening Ceremony of The World Games, 2022. This was an opportunity to design for a theatric live action performance that would allow me to put all of my gifts, training, and experience to work. It gave me complete creative freedom! In order to fully commit creatively to this, I had to step away from many of my other commitments. And so, I took the leap.
As a result of recognizing the opportunities that would flow to me, being grateful and accepting of them, and fully taking advantage of them, I was able to design without limits and create lasting connections with celebrities and other artists. I was able to help many small businesses across the country and artisans alike. By NOT hustling, but allowing it to flow to me, I was ready to receive and say yes to the opportunities without fear or hesitation.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is sharing my art with others. For me, my art is fashion and it can be really personal. As I design, I am not only thinking about how I feel and what I want, but I have to think about what my audience wants. I have to get that right! My job as a designer is to make sure that the client, either through a young designers vision or my couturier, feels like the best version of themselves. And when I can do that, it makes everything worth it!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.stellarcreativecollective.com
- Instagram: @stellarcreativecollective
- Facebook: @stellarcreativecollective
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/pub/twyla-grider/8/b80/33b
Image Credits
Mykeon Smith Olympics.com Myriam Joseph