We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tippie La’Dawn a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Tippie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea SWAGLYF was actually founded at birth, in the early 90’s by my mother ANGELA BELINDA SIMMONS. (Long Live The Queen (12.25.60-6.18.20)
My mom was a classy lady, who always kept us fly as possible. Matching shoes, with the matching Socks, matching pants with the matching shirt.
She always had a way with the SWAG, putting things together making them match really well.
The “NAME” SWAGLYF was originated in Broward County,FL around 2008-2009.
I created a music group called SWAGLYF MG which consisted of My brothers Duece Uno, 2TimaJO and myself.
We were young, hungry & dedicated to the art aiming for the top, doing shows and videos , representing SWAGLYF.
Later in 2012 -2013 I started to get SWAGLYF shirts and merch printed at a local print shop.
I had no idea this would eventually turn into an entire brand & clothing store.
I’d Go to china man just to get SWAGLYF shirts pressed, than resell them in the streets to my peers.
Before I knew It it was shorts, headbands and socks pressed with SWAGLYF all over them.
After getting into some legal trouble in 2014 I found myself on a 2 yer big at homestead correctional institution
from 2015-2017, in prison is where iI found my mojo.
The more I sat, the more I began to sketch and design different ideas for SWAGLYF
Things I wanted to create once I came home.
By The time my bid was over I had dozens of books filled with ideas! I than began to execute them .
I started to learn about fashion design, how to print , how to press, how to create a tshirt line. A close friend of mines (Herbie) taught me how to use vinyl and a circuit cutter.
Than I started to create my own SWAGLYF tees at my newly opened print shop late in 2018.
Once I mastered the art of printing my own merchandise, I started to become curious about taking my hands off the print machine and just merely focusing on designing and sketching.
I then began searching for manufactures to create different pieces that I’d sketched and designed. I hit after a few tries,
connected with 2-3 manufactures tested out a few pieces and products.
Sketching slides, bags, hats , phone cases and more. Seeing the feedback from loyal consumers, pushed me to open “The swglyyf stop”in early 2021. The swaglyf stop is a store that sells only SWAGLYF products .
From sneakers, to coats, hats, beanies, jogger sets, wrist bands, punching bags, phone cases and more
Store’s Located at 3161 west Oakland park blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL.
To date SWAGLYF has been shipped to 35 different states 7 different countries & has appeared in multiple mainstream music videos from Duece & Stunna 4 Vegas to DJ Paul.
“The Goal and mission is to continue to supply RAW apparel & Fashion at an affordable price”
I always knew SWAGLYF would be BIG and get even BIGGER based off the feedback and creativity of the Brand , it doesn’t remind you of any other fashion line.
“The Brand is just an all natural organic brand built off the creative thought process of the mind”
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 got into the fashion industry by just “loving fashion” and being an innovator.
I’m a provider of all types of services from fashion, to design, video directing, creative designs styling, artist management , life coaching skills, print & press, just anything in the art field.
Im most proud of myself. The obstacles and goals I’ve over come in life, everything that I’ve accomplished from starting the SWAGLYF brand from ground zero, to opening a SWAGLYF spot, to creating a solid consumer base, to just staying afloat and never giving up on my dreams.
SWAGLYF was built on “Hope” belief, believing in myself, my thoughts, trusting the process, having faith and hope that all things are possible with GOD. Never giving up staying consistent and determined to be different from the rest,
Daring to be differnt .
SWAGLYF the Brand, The Music Group, The Sports Line, The Artist , The Apparel..
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I lost my mom and my sister exactly a year apart almost in the same year “resilience” is an understatement-losing them made me realize how short life is and can be.
You can literally be here today and gone tomorrow within the blink of an eye .
That was and still is the toughest thing I’ve had to deal with til this day
and still dealing with it. When I lost them I wanted to give up hope with everything the brand, the music the management
I was hurt, lost and confused and just couldn’t understand how the people I loved the most could leave me so soon,
the ones that really believed in me ], my hope my dreams, my ideas, my designs, everything that I created my sister brought It from me. I’d try to give her stuff for free and she wouldn’t even take it , she payed for everything I created that pertained to SWAGLYF most definitely was my number one supporter .
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
One lesson that I’ve learned in business is to trust the process, don’t rush the process take your times and do things correctly, plan, pursue , execute. Proper preparation prevents poor perfromance.
You can’t rush greatness, write down your goals and smash them one at a time.
Take things one day at a time, and never compare your chapter three to someone else’s chapter six, every star has a time to shine.
Chase your dreams stay focused on what’s ahead & always learn from your mistakes.
Work smart not hard & If you love what you do, you’ll never feel like your working
Contact Info:
- Website: https://swaglyfclothingco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tippieladawn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075934664668
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/jDYV_GA3w60
Image Credits
Tippie La’Dawn Duece Uno 2 Tima JO So Unique Mr.Ovetime Morray Stunna 4 Vegas Kitty On Demand KD photography