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

Hi Nicole, thanks for joining us today. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?

Fashion designers can occasionally be misunderstood based on old narratives. People will say, “My Grandma used to sew. Oh, you’re a designer?! Can you fix this sweater/sew this zipper/let this dress out?” I know how to sew, but a designer’s goal is to envision something new and refreshing, not just to make a tangible object. That’s like asking an interior designer to patch your roof or a wedding planner to bake your wedding cake. We draw up the pretty blueprints, but it is usually someone else’s ministry to execute. When someone misunderstands my mission, I use it as a teachable moment. I share all the cool things designers do: Choose fabrics (well, in my case, I create the fabric prints), decide on a color strategy for a complete look, and sketch designs. We get to partake in many other tasks, but these seem to be the most relatable to the general public.

Nicole, 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?

It’s been a long road to realizing my dream of running a successful clothing business and the journey continues. As a nerdy artsy kid on Chicago’s South side, I remember making my jewelry because I knew I could do better than Claire’s! Fast forward to my post-grad “starving artist” season in NY, working two part-time jobs to hustle up rent money and startup funds for my first official company. I escaped the rat race after 15 years and am now an Atlanta transplant making a name for my brand. Ruth Nathan’s is becoming the go-to bow tie company for creative souls in Metro Atlanta and beyond. This dream has been with me from the beginning, and I will never stop chasing it, no matter how challenging. Every morning I start with gratitude and positive affirmations to stay focused. I also have a few guideposts that keep me on track- ** Make my family proud of my products and process. My grandparents inspired me to pursue my dream of designing, especially my maternal grandfather – Nathan. He taught us to take pride in our attire; it’s how we present ourselves to the world. He was an accomplished tailor well known and well-loved throughout Greenville, Mississippi. Grandpa treated his customers well, which made me want to embody his authenticity.
** Fill my customers with pride and delight while wearing Ruth Nathan’s pieces. We create joy by helping folx fulfill their hunger for distinctive looks with bow ties, lapel flowers, and more. I serve urban peacocks who dress well as a form of self-expression and gratification. We cater to people who love to adorn themselves in exclusive, luxury accessories no matter the occasion.
** Do good in the community by providing jobs. I wouldn’t be a success if I “make it” and have not helped others do the same. I have employed New York businesses in Brooklyn and Manhattan to create our current inventory. During the onset of Covid, we used Custom Collaborative Harlem to create bulk orders of masks. Custom Collaborative helps women in underserved communities gain meaningful employment from learning a sewing craft. We also donate a percentage of our proceeds quarterly to causes positively impacting society (i.e., the YWCA Chicago).

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I had understood grants better when I was first starting. I thought the only way to get business capital was to secure bank loans or raise it yourself. I’m a decent writer, and many business grants simply ask you to tell your story. They may want to know specific aspects of your journey depending upon the organization: what’s it like as a black woman in a white male-dominated field? (spoiler alert: it’s complicated) What’s it like as a design student without a formal business background running a company? (spoiler alert: it’s also hard) If I knew that I had a unique story and that some organizations would support my craft for sharing the “fabric” that weaves them together, I would have started sharing long ago!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

In my work, I aim to care for the planet by creating sustainable goods with nearly zero waste in manufacturing. We print our products on demand with eco-friendly processes in North Carolina. This printing method reduces the water used per yard for getting the designs on the fabrics. It’s good for the environment and gives the wearer a sense of pride, knowing their clothes are “doing right” by the planet. Sexy and eco-conscious can live together harmoniously.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ruthnathans.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruthnathans/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicoleatruthnathans
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolerbrown22/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ruthnathans3806
• Other: Wholesale opportunities: https://helloabound.com/invite/ruthnathans https://ruthnathans.faire.com

Image Credits
Zerline Alvarez Maurice Bland Tiffany Hunter Brandon Yarbrough