We were lucky to catch up with Alicia Crayton recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Alicia, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I learned how to hand sew from my mom. I was a theatre kid and I remember my mom hand sewing my costumes. I learned how to use a sewing machine through a family friend. She taught me how to make simple things like a drawstring bag. I taught myself everything else I know about fashion design through upcycling thrifted pieces and watching youtube videos. I tried using the patterns from stores but always ended up making my own.
Knowing what I know now, I don’t think I would have done anything differently. I enjoyed the process that has led me to where I am now. I tried to go to college for design and it didn’t work out for me. I think that because I was so headstrong and sure about being a fashion designer so young, that it made me eager to learn as much as I could. I believe that I was fearless then because I tried everything and I cared less about people’s opinions. As I’ve grown and worked in this field for the bulk of my life, I started to be too considerate of others opinions when it came to my designs. I got lost in focusing on the trends and trying to compete with fast fashion. Now I’m channeling more of my younger self who trusted her own intuition.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a fashion designer, digital marketer and an all around creative based in Arkansas. I’ve been apart of the fashion world for most of my life. I’ve been in the marketing world for 6 years and counting. I’ve created, critiqued, consulted, designed, styled, and directed. I have been designing since I was seven years old. I just realized how long ago that was and literally laughed out loud. I started sketching first before I learned how to sew but I was so inspired by watching That’s So Raven. I loved Raven and how she always made her clothes so much that I wanted to do the same. I’ve been designing professionally since 2018, when I launched my first brand, Exclusive the Label. Exclusive the Label is a women’s and unisex brand that blends streetwear and formal wear. I’ve grown so much with Exclusive the Label and have been blessed to present the brand in several fashion shows across Arkansas, Tennessee, and Texas. Since then I’ve expanded my design skills. In 2021, I launched a formal wear brand, E by Ellena that caters to women and specializes in making the dresses of their dreams for any occasion whether it is prom, bridal or just the want to feel wonderful.
Through my fashion brands, I’ve had to learn a lot about business and marketing so that’s how I began my journey as a digital marketer. My career journey might seem a little unorthodox but I’ve learned a lot about my respective fields and myself as a person as well. I believe that I have the perfect balance of creativity and business logic that makes me great at what I do on both ends. I’ve come to terms with the fact that, creatively, there is nothing I can’t do. Digital marketing is a field that I’m constantly learning and growing in. I’m excited to see where it will take me. I currently offer social media marketing, content creation, email marketing, and brand refreshing to local businesses. Some of my previous collections are still available from Exclusive the Label. I’m currently booking for custom dresses for the prom and bridal for 2025 while working on the new collections for both of my fashion brands.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think that a lot of people underestimate the work that goes into being a creative. It’s not easy at all. People often lowball creatives and don’t always want to pay us for our work. As a fashion designer, people often approach me wanting me to replicate something they saw online on a fast fashion site that is already priced low but expect me to do it for an even lower price. It’s not fair to us at all. Creatives deserve to be paid their worth and respected more. I also don’t think people understand that being a creative is complex. We have to be inspired to create something. Creative blocks exist. Burnout exists. It is a challenge to stay inspired and at your best as a creative. It requires a lot of patience and discipline that I feel is often overlooked.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative, to me, is completing a collection or a custom look and it being received well. I don’t necessarily need anyone’s approval when it comes to my work because if I’m proud of it that’s all that matters. However, it does feel great when I’ve done a fashion show and people come up to me saying how much they loved my designs. It feels just as great when I’m included in these monumental moments like prom and weddings and my clients are in love with their dresses. It’s rewarding to see other people happy and if something I did played a role in that, I’m honored. The biggest reward is being able to create for a living and do what I love. It’s something I’ll never take for granted.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://aliciacrayton.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liciaellena
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicia-crayton
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LiciaEllena
• Other: www.exclusiveco.org
  www.ebyellena.com

Image Credits

D’Angelo Connell
Grace Nast
Alicia Crayton
Roderick Williams