We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Natt Taylor. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Natt below.

Alright, Natt thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

As a kid, I’ve always enjoyed being creative in arts, music, and modeling. Thankfully, I was blessed with parents who nurtured every interest so they signed me up for a local talent agency called Little Stars in Motion. As a young model, I developed a love for fashion and a fascination with the local designers, but that industry was always viewed as something fun to do, not a career opportunity.

After years of studying Accounting, I began my career in Banking in 2001. That became stale very quickly. Bored and unmotivated with the repetitive nature of the industry, the creative in me needed an outlet. I had learned to sew in high school, so naturally I gravitated back to that, as a hobby. Before I knew it, creativity took over and as word spread of my “new skill”, I received more and more custom design requests. With excitement and all the confidence in the world, I took a leap of faith and made a career change to become a fashion designer. No real experience or knowledge, just pure talent and drive.

In 2004, I relocated back to Irvington, NJ, my hometown, which was about 20 min outside of NYC, and soaked up everything I needed to pursue my new fashion career. I remember being so fearless!! Taking trips to the city almost daily just to get inspiration and feel that unmatched NY energy.

I launched DESTINI, a women’s apparel brand, in 2005.

Natt, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I took a detour to Fashion. Although, it’s where I started as a child model, it was never something I thought I could pursue professionally. I needed a “real” career. That was the goal and since I was always great in Math, as most creatives are, I chose to study Accounting.

Ironically, working as an Accountant was the start of my career in Fashion. My time in that space laid the foundation for my business. It taught me structure and professionalism. How to manage, how to deal with different personalities and how to navigate in the customer service arena which was a huge bonus.

While working at the bank, we had a very strict dress code. As word began to spread of my design talent, my co-workers began ordering separates and dresses for work. The biggest challenge for them was finding clothing that was work appropriate, great fitting, and offered an alternative vibe for a night out .

Unknowingly, I began to build my brand with that girl in mind. The outgoing socialite who works a full time office job. I designed pieces that allowed her personality to shine within the guidelines of a corporate work environment.

I am most proud of my journey. I’ve built a successful women’s apparel brand because I wanted to. No experience or plan in place. Just a dream, drive and a little faith. I designed a dress in the earlier years of my brand that is still a top seller today. Lola is her name and although she wasn’t my most innovative piece, a fit and flared dress with a bow, women love her and she has truly taken on a life of her own. I’ve built an entire collection around LOLA.

I am a visionary, a creative storyteller with an eye for details. It shows in all of my work from custom fashion design to creative direction on set for photo shoots and film projects.

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

In my experience, non-creatives struggle to understand a creative’s why but as much as they don’t understand our journey, we struggle to understand theirs.

Placing a creative in a structured space hardly ever works unless they are a hybrid, like me, because some of us simply aren’t wired that way. Someone who has a daily routine, operates in structure on a set 9-5 work schedule, and receives a consistent paycheck is a gem in their own right but may often question the fluidity of a creative’s life.

The creative journey is not for the weak. It can often run 24 hr days depending on the project, and the passion. It’s a see-saw of excitement because even when you’re down, you ‘re excited about the fight to get back up. It comes with a host of surprises, disappointments, challenges, and rewards. It builds character and requires self-discipline, self-motivation, and self-management.
This life allows, and requires, you to fully show up as your authentic self!

It all makes sense when we work together!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Whew! My first major retailer was Belk in 2016. I had sold my line in a number of boutiques prior to but all inventory was self-produced or custom design.

As a finalist in Belk’s Southern Designer Competition, an opportunity to sell your brand in their stores was a major win! I knew the increased volume would call for some changes so I chose to outsource production. If you know, you know that not all things run smoothly in the world of manufacturing, so I sourced locally to keep my hand in the process for any immediate changes or challenges.

About a month prior to our scheduled delivery, the manufacturer admitted that they were overwhelmed and could not complete the order in time. I’ve never been one to sit in a problem, so I immediately shifted to a solution! I hired talented seamstresses from everywhere and called in a few favors from industry friends to increase my team and theirs. We split the order and eventually got it done!

Although we missed the original delivery date and ended up without inventory at our pre-set launch party, the lesson was in the blessings and we proceeded to sell out in every store.

This was one of the most challenging times of my career and one that I’m most proud of.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @natttaylor

Image Credits

Leslie Andrews Photography