Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Melissa Hyatt. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Melissa, thanks for joining us today. One of our favorite things to brainstorm about with friends who’ve built something entrepreneurial is what they would do differently if they were to start over today. Surely, there are things you’ve learned that would allow you to do it over faster, more efficiently. We’d love to hear how you would go about setting things up if you were starting over today, knowing everything that you already know.
My name is Missy “Missythepinkalien” and I am a designer who specializes in making bizarre fashion, wearable art, formal wear and sometimes RTW clothing. I learned how to sew in high school and knew I had a calling when I made it to the city newspaper at 15 with one of the extravagant dresses I created. I was all too excited when it came to dressing up and putting looks together. I got the over the top fashion expression from none other but my mother.
After high school, I then pursued an Associates in Fashion Merchandising and Marketing at FIT because I wasn’t fit to make it in to the fashion design program. So in other words, I had to continue to teach myself to sew and I ended up choosing FMM to study because I knew I just wanted to be at this school. At that time, I would say that I should have done the research to find out what qualifies me to get in to the fashion design program and have my mentor assist me in making a portfolio. That’s all I was missing at the time but had no idea how to create one. If I were able to study fashion design, I would have then sharpened my skills much faster and had way more knowledge about so many things when it comes to clothing making, instead of the years it took for me to perfect my craft which I still am doing today.
Going forward, since I was already studying the business side of fashion, I ended up getting a BS in International Trade & Marketing. And although I don’t regret the major relationships I still have today even from living in China for 3 years through my school’s exchange program, I still wish I learned more on the aesthetic of building art.
I also did not take initiative on getting myself in to the fashion industry. I did a couple internships here and there like for Alexander Wang during fashion week or Blackbook Magazine. But because the industry intimidated me so much, I did not pursue it more to eventually elevate in the field. I wish I mustered up the courage to believe I could have done it despite all the other talent I was constantly surrounded by.
Going forward, luckily through everything, I was able to still cultivate my own business that does pretty well as I have clients that rely on me. After I left China, I began making prom dresses for young girls, then wedding dresses and then I eventually shifted in to more wearable art. This of course was after I got in to watching Rupauls Drag Race.
I then moved to Atlanta, one of the meccas of creative individuals and now I mainly work with artists, or clients who enjoy doing extravagant photoshoots, Videoshoots or even cinema/film. Another thing that I did as I was building my brand was chasing after people in the lime light to wear my clothing, even if I gave it out for free. I did this to help me with my marketing since I didn’t have the biggest platform and wanted more people to learn about who I was. I learned that those actions are barely beneficial. Many times celebrities get free things and they may not take in to account how hard you worked to build some of these items as a small business. Sometimes they will take it and not wear it. Or wear it and not even tag you.
Instead what I’ve noticed that works is shooting my own content and being the star i wish to see my clothing on. Content matters. I say this because it’s literally your digital resume and even people see who you are and what you’ve done as well as the quality of your work, that will eventually speak for itself. People enjoy seeing my individual story more than anything. And I’ve gone viral a few times just from wearing some of my crazy outfits. The one that got the most views, 7.7M to be exact, was when I wore my LED Cocktail Bra and an influencer just happened to interview me as I was at an event. I wasn’t expecting that video to surface as much as it did. I gained over 9k followers and I also made some sales. Being creative with shooting my own content also allows people to understand my vision and my story. I will carry the story best because i understand it the most. So now that’s mainly what I focus on and people just happen find me. Artists reach out to me now.
I’d also say that any client or customer I work with is worth everything. I value and appreciate my day to day clients so much. Their support means everything and when I give them quality, love and appreciation, they will always come back. So thank you to every supporter who has bought from me or has supported me in any way, you are one of the reasons I have made it this far!
Melissa, 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?
What I feel sets me apart from others is the level of bizarre im not afraid to tap in to. As a young black female in the industry, I do think it’s a bit refreshing and different to say it’s ok to be this outgoing and whimsical without being seen as weird but instead very unique. I inspire many of my peers to try something different. Whether it be for fun, birthdays, photoshoots or just content creation, my pieces are conversation starters and also functional in many interesting ways.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
Funding to me was probably the most challenging parts of building my business. At first of course I used my own income from whatever job I had at the time and I still do since my business isn’t at a place where it can constantly fund itself. I will say having a good job is helpful because businesses are very expensive. And needy. Having other important skills in which the world needs so that you are set in your normal day to day life is very important. Because building a business from the ground up can be very inconsistent. And until you’ve made the business to be very consistent, it isn’t something to rely on to survive.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
The main thing that illustrates my resilience is vision. God giving me these beautiful ideas and me taking the risk of trying to create them even if some are a fail it’s ok. When I’m able to think of something, bring it to life and then it turns in to a master piece, is something that gives me an adrenaline rush as well as a push to continue to be great in spite of anything.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.RitzyGlitzySpider.com
- Instagram: Missythepinkalien
- Facebook: Missy Hyatt
Image Credits
@brucetookit
@vs1atl
@cameramandg