We were lucky to catch up with Alexandria Alli recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alexandria, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
At F&W Style we believe in celebrating diversity. Every woman is unique and special in her own way and should have a bag that reflects that. Since the start, our mission has been to always create vibrant, leather bags and accessories that make our buyers stand out. With dozens of new releases and brand/influencer collaborations, that’s exactly what we’ve done!
Over the last two years alone, F&W has garnered immense recognition for both our chic accessories and our strides towards a more diverse fashion industry (See Articles on Oprah Daily and on Fashion Minority Alliance: “24 Black-Owned Handbag Brands to Have and to Hold” and “BIPOC Fashion Designers Find Representation on Netflix”).
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Alexandria Alli started her passion for fashion at the age of ten when she persuaded her mother to let her be an assistant at her Fashion Design Studio every day after school. Being in that environment she learned a lot about design and running a fashion business. Then at thirteen, her family moved from Nigeria to Atlanta, Georgia, where she began her modeling career. She modeled for major companies throughout the South.
As her modeling career advanced she fell in love with the beauty and glamour of the industry, she fell in love with the well-crafted luxurious Items specifically handbags that she got to wear as a model. But soon realized that most women, herself included could not afford the luxury accessories and clothing that she modeled in magazines and on the runway.
After earning her Master’s Degree in Business Administration in 2008, she decided to put her educational background with her years of experience in the fashion industry and create a luxury brand for the busy woman on the go. With the support of her husband Alfred, F&W Style was born.
F&W Style is a luxury leather handbag and accessories brand for busy women on the go! We specialize in well- crafted, vibrant-colored, handbags and accessories. We believe every woman is unique and special in her own way and should have a bag that reflects that. Our handbags are designed to take women from day to night fashionably and seamlessly
Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?
Finding a manufacture to make our handbag was definitely no small task. It really took a year of trials, errors, and mistakes. It really is just like dating! There will be a few bad eggs, there will be some mistakes along the way that will cost you time and money but you have to keep going until you find the right one. And we eventually did! We have been with our current manufacture for almost 9 years.
We even started F&W Corp in partnership with our manufacture. Through F&W Corp we are helping other brands manufacture their leather handbags and accessories. We are helping other brands bring their products to life.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
During my years as a Banker, I knew I wasn’t content with where I was and that I needed to make a change. I needed to find a creative outlet. It was my husband that helped push me to go for my dreams. Once I decided I wanted to start my own brand, I wrote out a plan, giving myself a year to leave my job. During that year I worked on my brand and wrote out a plan to make money and market it to stores and boutiques. I also went from full-time to Part-time at my job. I did that until I felt comfortable to quite and work on my brand full time.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fwstyle.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fwstyle/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fwstylebags/
Image Credits
Elle Wood Photography