Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alan Michael.. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

One that’s inspirational; hopefully it’ll tell the story of a man who drew his own guidelines. I say inspirational because everything was premeditated how I set my goals high and obtaining them and it could be sort of a blueprint for others who are embarking on this journey.

I’m looking to leave the empire for my kids; my oldest daughter wears my merchandise to school and I could only imagine how proud she feels to say, “my father designed this hoodie” whenever she’s asked about it.  Even my youngest daughter, when she sees a sticker or someone wearing the merchandise she says, “That’s daddy” and she’s only two. So I’m at a point of no return; I have something I could pass down to them and they could continue with the legacy or venture out and pursue their own dreams.

Either way, they’ll have the support and financial backing; so they could really lock into whatever they decide to do. They’ll be able to give it their all without the worry of doing everything on their own. Just making the playing field even so they could thrive in life.

Alan, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m an Interdisciplinary Artist specializing in wardrobe styling and art direction. I wanted to do more than just run a successful business. My vision of telling stories through style would convey a message of self-empowerment, abstract thoughts, and powerful ideas. These principles would allow me to build success. At the same time, the AMExperience is a culmination of the past infused with the present. This focus allows for preparing clients for the future. By promoting individuality, as the correct banner for those considered to be “different”. AME will excel by providing exceptional clothing selections and brilliant ideas.

There’s no blueprint; I’m navigating through this path off instinct and knowing my end goal. Most wardrobe/fashion stylists are represented by an agency which handles the majority of their placements and job opportunities. Which gives the stylist the luxury to focus on styling or style assisting. I’m in an area where the opportunities are few and there’s not many agencies or PR firms looking to represent wardrobe stylists at the moment so that leaves me to DO FOR SELF! Sending emails to publications, creating storylines for editorials, contacting models/photographers, building relationships with boutiques/brands, finding locations, networking/marketing, etc. It’s all done by me at the moment; so many long nights and early mornings but it’ll all be worth it in the end.

Far as art direction it’s centered on providing services for potential/future clients that’s looking for assistance beyond clothing. Skilled and familiar with all the steps of the creative processes from research and conceptual development to creation and execution. I’m here to help in any way possible; the proof of concept to show potential/future clients beside the editorial work is a comic series I’ve created entitled, “NEGUS”.

It’s a comic series about its title character, Negus Madison, a rising filmmaker and his triumphant journey to the “American Dream”. I’ve been promoting both entities at the same time. It started with stickers and different marketing schemes. For every Holiday and Season I’ll have the Negus character dressed accordingly to the day or time of the year. From Fall 2016 to now if you’re in the Southern Region of America you might have seen the sticker somewhere. The DMV area as well, it was a way to market myself for the services I provide. November 2019, is when the merchandise came into play and it gave the viewer/consumer a chance to be introduced to the main characters of the comic series. On the flipside it’s my way to show brands that I could be of assistance/add value when it comes to brand/color concept,  trend forecasting and marketing. One full collection has dropped since then but there’s a lot of one off pieces as well.

I’m most proud of how the masses gravitate to everything. It’s all authentic and it shows not only in the work and product but when we actually meet. It all makes sense when we’re face to face building. Don’t get me wrong, all the opportunities have been fruitful and I’m forever grateful but when preparation meets opportunity, that’s what is supposed to happen. I still have some ways to go but far from where I started. It won’t be long; I just have to keep it going.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect is being able to create; just imagine having something in your mind that only you can conceive and then one day you’re living in the present of that thought. That’s magic; that’s manifestation and it’s the reason I chose to pursue an artistic/creative career. I tried every avenue that was considered a “road to success” to the standards of the world but it didn’t pan out. Going through certain things made me realize my true purpose and then I started building from there.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Being able to make a living off what comes naturally is what keeps me going. I want to be able to assist any creative I come across on this road to success. We all need the right person/people saying our names and in return we could do the same and give better  opportunities to help the next wave of artists. I just have something to offer to the world; that’s much needed. Seeing that come to fruition is what plays through my mind everyday. The hardest portion is the middle; it seems to be blurry at times but the beginning and end is clear as day. The journey is exciting because you’re taking calculated risk and seeing the results from the plays you maped out good or bad. It keeps you pushing forward because you can see the outcome; it’s just the steps to get there is where it gets tricky. Having supreme confidence and believing in your craft is what’s going to keep you going. Even when you can’t stay motivated; stay consistent. Consistency is going to bring back your motivation no matter the circumstance.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/@alanchronicles
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alan-harding-70538/
• Email: [email protected]

Image Credits
Darius Varnado Korey Brown Juwan Harris