January 10, 2025 • 26 mins
Ever wondered how a childhood dream transforms into a successful fashion empire? Join us on Indie Artist Music Hustle with Blind Intelligence as we sit down with the visionary Tiffany Robinson, aka Tiff Marie, the renowned CEO of Rockstar 86. Tiffany takes us through her inspiring journey from the runways of her imagination to the esteemed pages of CIE Fashion Magazine. Discover the divine sparks that fuel her creativity and hear firsthand how her experiences on the fashion tour circuit, along with overcoming the challenges of COVID-19, have shaped her illustrious career. Tiffany’s roots in Shreveport, Louisiana, have not only influenced her design aesthetic but also ignited her passion for empowering the local youth with fashion and entrepreneurial skills, with aspirations of opening a dedicated outreach center.
The episode offers a spotlight on the magnetic interplay between fashion and music. Tiffany shares invaluable insights on the critical qualities of successful models, beyond beauty and size, emphasizing the indispensable nature of a positive attitude and professionalism. We demystify the demanding work of designers and the expectation for celebrities to honor this craft by purchasing rather than borrowing creations. The conversation extends into the dynamic realm of music videos, where fashion and set design craft compelling visual narratives. Join us for an engaging exploration of how style shapes stories, and how Tiffany Robinson gracefully navigates these interconnected worlds.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Hello everyone, welcome to this week's Indie
Artist Music Hustle with BlindIntelligence.
I'm your host, Ms Ronnie, whereI always seek to give you
exquisite cranial repertoire.
This week we have a veryspecial guest.
We have the CEO of Rockstar 86,Ms Tiffany Robinson.
Say hello to everyone.
Hello world, how are y'all?
Rockstar 86,.
Speaker 1 (00:24):
Miss Tiffany Robinson Say hello to everyone.
Hello world, how are y'all?
Speaker 2 (00:30):
We're doing fine over here in this neck of the woods,
so what we're going to do iswe're going to start out with
letting you take over and telleveryone a little bit about
yourself.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Well, I'm Tiffany Robinson, mostly known as Tiff
Marie, rockstar 86.
I am just a happy spirit to beon this earth.
I have been into the fashionindustry since 2013.
Oh my God, I have beensomewhere everywhere.
We're headed to Georgia in May.
(01:01):
This month we're going toHouston.
Next month is LosAngelesifornia.
We're just ready.
We're man, we're here and we'reready.
Okay, so tell me what made youget into fashion designing
initially um well, it was mydreams as a little girl I've
(01:21):
always had dreams about.
I used to see myself actuallyon the runway.
I didn't know if I was a model,I didn't know if I was a
designer, but by the time I waseight years old it was quite
clear.
I used to play in my mom'sdresses and one day I ended up
ripping one of her contourdresses.
And when I ripped it, you knowknow, I'm seven years old at the
(01:44):
time, so I'm not knowing.
You know, hey, it's a purplevelvet dress.
Use purple thread, right, Iwant to use red thread.
But I sewed it up.
My mom would have never known,and she told me she would have
never known had I not used redthread.
So I knew then if I could sneakand get that back in the closet
without her knowing.
Hey, girl, I can do it so tellme about some of your signature
(02:08):
pieces oh, wow, um well, um, Iwould say one of my favorite
pieces made CIE fashion magazineum spread.
It was a two-piece gold suit,one by Myesha from Houston, and
(02:30):
it was just very spectacular.
It was very special to mebecause that was one of those
pieces that kind of highlightedmy career as a designer.
You know, meeting Raven Wilson,just being at that shoot with
her, her being a creativedirector, and it blew her off
the water.
So I really knew then that, youknow, like I told you, that was
(02:54):
one of my favorite pieces andit's like a hundred more so and
I'm always creating, so Okay, soI know in the beginning you was
telling me a little bit aboutsome of your upcoming events and
some of your past events.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
I met you through the event Overnight Celebrity, so
tell me what made you come upwith that concept and how do you
come up with the concept forany other fashion show that you
design?
Speaker 1 (03:24):
and show that you design Well, as I told you, for
one, I do believe in God, and hebrings all kinds of great
visions to my life.
Ernie, I can't take credit foranything that I haven't done
myself.
I pray about everything, andmost of the time it comes to me
in a dream and from that dream Iwrite it down.
And I'm God set to write itdown on paper and make it plain
(03:47):
for him to see it.
That's what I doing, girl.
I mean, that's how Rockstar 86got started.
Also, my daughter's brand,dream Diamonds, incorporated.
It was all from a dream, youknow.
I had dreams about diamonds andI kept trying to figure out
what her diamonds were comingfrom and I was like it must be
the girls and we started workingtogether and they're
(04:08):
internationally published aswell.
I mean, I'm very proud of whatwe're doing.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
It's the route we chose, so yeah, so what was the
last event that you've done?
Speaker 1 (04:20):
Oh wow, last summer we were on a fashion tour.
We did Katie and a fashion weekwhich was bananas.
I kind of like really showedout there to my own way, but we
did mostly all the fashion weekslast year.
(04:40):
Last summer we really slowed updue to the COVID issue.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
I was going to ask you about that.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
Yeah, we slowed up due to the COVID issue.
Me and my children actuallyended up catching COVID.
We don't know where.
We don't know if it came fromMissouri.
We don't know if it came fromthe events in Arkansas.
We don't know if it came fromLouisiana.
That's how much we were movingaround, so we really don't know
where it came from Louisiana.
That's how much we were movingaround, so we really don't know
where it came from.
But we're glad that we passedthat stone and, girl, we're
(05:10):
ready to keep kicking.
Speaker 2 (05:11):
We are ready but one of the things that we did leave
out in the introduction that Iwant to touch back around now.
I want you to tell everybodywhere you're from and tell me
how do you set the trend forfashion where you are.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
Well, I'm from Shreveport, louisiana Most
people call it Ratchet City.
Okay and just, I think justreaching out to the children,
just teaching them, you know howto do something different.
I spend a lot of my time withthe children of Shreveport,
(05:47):
pretty much anywhere, but mostlyyou know we're doing something
and I'm investing a lot in thechildren because I feel like
they're the future and someonehas to do it.
So if I have to make a wholebunch of community leaders, I'm
with that.
If I have to make a whole bunchof fashion designers, braiders,
entrepreneurs, sewers, whateverit is they love the most about
(06:10):
me, I'm for it.
I'm definitely looking forwardto just opening an outreach
center at some point and justhaving that forum for after
school tutoring to save them offthe streets.
Basketball, homework, whateveryou know.
Just I'm really looking forwardto it.
(06:30):
Ok.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
I know that you mentioned a little bit ago about
your daughters being designers.
Are they designers together orare there two separate designers
?
Speaker 1 (06:43):
Well, talia is more of the sower, she's really the
designer of the two of them.
I have to give you the honestto God truth she has been sewing
since she was seven years old.
I'm really proud of my baby.
She's a scholar on every level,from school.
(07:04):
Just everything she does shebraids.
She's just a great big sister.
Overall, tahana's more of thejewelry maker.
She's more the promoter, thesuperstar behind the crew, and
she's just really the face ofthe company.
Tahana is very hands-on.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
She's learning the soul, but I think she's gonna
stick with jewelry for a while,okay so tell me this with I know
you spoke about covid a littlebit how did covid, like, take
you totally by surprise?
What were you going to do andrealize that you can't do it
(07:49):
anymore pertaining to going toyour fashion shows?
Besides wow so how did it?
Did it?
It didn't stop you, I know itdidn't stop you.
How did it slow you down?
Speaker 1 (08:01):
well, it, it, it did kind of stop me and it, yes, it
did slow me down a lot.
Um, I feel like over the lastpast two years just not just me,
it's a lot of fashion designersthat I feel like would be in
retail have we had that two-yearstretch to keep working and, um
(08:23):
, more, more retailers, um, youknow, will come to shows or
whatnot, or you know, I meanit's, oh, as a fashion designer,
it's not easy at all, you know,to have your brand plastered
everywhere, you know, and that'sour goal.
Most of us want to be, um,nationwide retailers, like
(08:44):
myself.
I want to be a retailer foreverywhere.
I don't want to be nationwideretailers like myself.
I want to be a retailer foreverywhere, I don't want to just
be a local designer.
So I would say that it slowedus down by getting into retail
stores, you know, and also, ifyou don't have, like, websites
and stuff, it made it reallyhard for us as designers.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
So yeah, okay, so I want to ask you this question.
In the media, there has beenseveral stories of smaller
designers getting their designsstole by either celebrities or
bigger name designers.
What do you do to safeguardyourself against that and how do
(09:27):
you really feel about that?
Speaker 1 (09:29):
Oh, wow, that has happened to me before.
I don't want to speak on whichdesigner, the location or
anything, but let's just sayit's a learning experience.
For one, it teaches you to nottrust everybody.
For one, you know when you'retrying to build a foundation for
(09:53):
your brand.
For two, my biggest thing was Istopped showing things you know
before a show.
If you want to see it, come tothe show.
If you don't see it at the show, then you can see the JPEGs
after the event or something, oryou can catch it published in
the magazine or something.
You just have to really protectyourself from everywhere around
(10:16):
it because you know someone'sgoing to get inspired by you,
which is really good, you know.
But you don't want them to havethe same ideas as you.
You don't want them that umhave the same um ideas as you.
You don't want someone to mimicyour every move.
So it's very man.
It's a lot coming with um beinga fashion designer, a custom
(10:36):
fashion designer as well, andmay I say that, um, it's a lot
of people saying that they'refashion designers.
If you're not customizing it,if you can't take a role and cut
it up and make something, youare not a fashion designer.
You are a brand, honey.
I just want to solidify thatwhile we're on, you know,
(10:56):
because you know it's a lot offoolishness in this industry.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
So do you think that there should be punishment for
that?
Speaker 1 (11:08):
Yes, yes, and I think the boundaries should be in
place.
You know, if you're a boutique,you're a boutique.
That's wholesale.
You know you got a T-shirt linethat's a brand.
You know you're just stamping aname on it and I'm not trying
to stop anybody's.
(11:29):
You know, hustle, I'm nottrying to stop.
You know, but someone has tosay it.
You know, if someone has to sayit, hey, who better to say it
than Tiffany Robinson of Rocks36, internationally published
fashion designer?
Who best to say it?
I got you.
Speaker 2 (11:48):
How do you feel about the black culture being
mimicked in fashion?
Speaker 1 (11:57):
Oh, wow, you know me and the designer, coco Monette
of Lady Chatori.
Big shout out to her.
We were talking about thatearlier.
I think.
With social media being aplatform for everybody, it's
(12:22):
easy for someone to just say,hey, I'm this.
You know, my biggest thing ofthat being is I was taught in
fifth grade, for fifth grade,that you want to be wrote about
in the history books.
That was my biggest goal, thatwas my goal in life to be wrote
about when they make the historybooks.
(12:42):
So I mean to see the fashionindustry being watered down,
sugar-coated, tempered with wow,it's a lot, it's a lot.
And I really feel like us, asdesigners not only
African-American designers, ofcourse we have to stick together
(13:06):
and we have to Not onlyAfrican-American designers, of
course.
We have to stick together andwe have to want the other
designer to win.
You know we can't be out heretrying to hold them back If
they're having a show and you'rethere, go and support them.
You know, because you know whatit's like to be a fashion
designer.
You know independent fashiondesigner.
You know a be a fashiondesigner.
You know an independent fashiondesigner is that?
You know a black independentfashion designer.
(13:28):
So if we can come together asblack designers man.
Speaker 2 (13:31):
I think we can really do some stuff okay, so tell me
this they always say that beautyis in the eye of the beholder,
and no, to each his own.
Everybody have their own brainbut.
I have seen some fashion to meand I was like now, where in the
(13:53):
world that they get this?
Where's somebody gonna wearthis?
And it costs thousands ofdollars.
Do you think that some fashionis not fashion and is really
garbage?
But they're getting theirpublicity because they're
already famous.
Yes, what do?
Speaker 1 (14:10):
you think about that?
Yes, yes, yes, yes, and, mo,this is what I can say.
I've spoken about this beforeon numerous interviews.
I've spoken about this beforeon numerous interviews.
I feel like if you are acreator of anything like, you're
(14:31):
a creator, you know you're ahost, you know you do your thing
, you do art, you knoweverything you do from me hair,
me clothing you know it's art,it's art.
Fashion is art, and that andthat's, oh my god.
I think if I interviewed orasked a hundred fashion
(14:52):
designers what they love themost about fashion, they would
say the creativity of it.
I mean, it's really art.
Um, at this upcoming fashionshow in may, I'm really ready to
show another side of me.
I'm really ready, I'm excited,I'm eager.
We have really been workinghard.
(15:13):
I would love to show you what Imean about fashion is art.
Some stuff is not wearable.
Speaker 2 (15:25):
I get you.
So tell me this how do you gothrough your process of picking
out models in your show?
Speaker 1 (15:37):
Oh wow, oh wow, oh wow, oh wow.
And I can't speak fromexperience because we just got
past a casting call and we haveliterally been looking over 200
different applicationsubmissions from different
(15:58):
models.
It was very hard, very, very,very hard to narrow it down and,
of course, with the COVIDrestrictions, you have to be
mindful of the designers and thecrowd and everything and
everybody that participates withthe show.
So we had to narrow it down to20 models out of 200 submissions
(16:20):
.
I don't think I slept in days.
So we actually look for themodels that represent every
brand on a certain level.
I'm someone that's veryversatile.
I think does not matter.
We, we have every ethic in theshow.
(16:42):
We really look for someonewho's very versatile.
You can do contour, but you cando fashion, high fashion, you
can do swimsuits, you can dolingerie.
We look for people that's veryversatile.
It's not really about the looksor the size.
Age doesn't play a big role infashion either.
(17:05):
I just wanted to add Okay.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
I asked that question because I think back to
watching America's Next TopModel and how they would go
through the process and how theywould tell people that they
were eliminated and how it wasan issue if you felt emotional
if you were eliminated and allof that.
So tell me.
That brings me to my nextquestion how do you deal with
(17:30):
models?
Because I asked artists thistoo and I'm gonna get into how
this tie into music.
But how do you deal with modelsthat have the perfect size?
They fit the clothes like aglove?
I everything is great exceptfor the attitude, thank you.
What do you do in thatsituation and what advice would
(17:52):
you give to somebody else?
Speaker 1 (17:56):
Well, one thing I can say is a bad apple, don't roll
far from the tree.
So most producers okay, whenyou notice something's not going
well, um, with a certainsomeone or something, or you see
a certain something, the bestthing is to remove them.
You know.
And one thing I can tell youabout, from designers to models,
(18:20):
anything If you are notbookable, then you kill yourself
with your career.
I mean, it's no career ifpeople can't book you, if people
can't work with you, if peoplecan't criticize you, if people
can't, like I said, you have tobe versatile, you know, and
that's mentally, physically,emotionally.
You have to be versatile inthis industry.
(18:41):
You have to be versatilebecause, like you say, sometimes
you might go to a.
Versatile in this industry.
You have to be versatilebecause, like you say, sometimes
you might go to a fashion showand they have you wearing a bow
tie and bales.
You know how are you gonna dealwith that?
You have to be so strongmentally that you can deal with
anything that comes to you.
And in this fashion industry,music industry I know a lot of
(19:04):
musicians.
This stuff is not for the week.
It's not for the week, trust me.
So get it together If you planon having a career in the
fashion or the music industrybecause, like I said, it takes a
lot of hard work.
You have to invest in yourself.
You have to invest in yourself.
If you don't, like I I said youwill not have a career.
(19:26):
Okay, you will not okay.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
So my next question is I have heard stories of
celebrities wanting to wear somefashion designers clothes, or
some fashion designers wantingsome celebrities to wear their
clothes, but the celebrities, atpoints in time, feel like they
(19:50):
don't have to pay for the piece.
So I want you to tell everyonethe things, the preparation that
goes into designing the piece,even if you're not designing it
for anybody in particular andwhy the designer deserves to be
(20:10):
paid for their piece well, forone.
Speaker 1 (20:14):
Um, the material, okay, um, people don't take in
an account that you're usingyour electricity, you know, to
see to sew.
Um, you're using your gas to goand get the fabric needle
thread.
Um, you have to fit them, whichtakes time out.
Hey, I can be cooking a meal,you know.
(20:36):
Um, you have to still sketchand design the piece and then,
about time, you get ready towork and finally started sewing
and cutting.
And you know, you have investedat least a week, depending on um
, like you said, if it's for aclient, if it's for a fashion
show, if it's for prototype, is,if it's for whatever it's for a
fashion show, if it's forprototype, if it's for whatever
(20:56):
it's for, you're going to investat least a week per item.
That's just if you care aboutyour brand.
Now, if you can come up withsomething today and make it
today and it's out today, thenyou go ahead.
But at the same time, you haveto worry about quantity, not,
(21:17):
you know, with the people, butalso quality with the people,
because that's what they want.
They want quality.
They don't want to walk aroundin something that's falling off
of them.
So, yes, it takes time to makeany piece, you know, and like
you said, from swimsuit to acontour dress girl that can take
(21:42):
months even years.
I see you got some pieces behindyou.
You want to show us some?
Ah, well, like I said, you cansee the fabrics.
Um, we, we really don't want toreveal anything until the
fashion shoots and um, well,miss raven got something big
coming up for me in april, soyou'll get, you'll get a chance
(22:03):
to see some artwork and some ofthese awesome pieces back here.
Man, you know, we just gotta,um really just take our time
with everything, because if Idon't, um, things won't go in
order and, like I said, it takestime.
Even with a vision, um, I knowwhat I want to showcase, when I
want to showcase it.
Um, I also know, um, thatdifferent models, you know, just
(22:27):
like you said, it's all abouttime and in the fashion industry
, and, um, we, we definitelywant to time these.
We want to time these becausethese are timeless pieces.
These are timeless pieces.
Speaker 2 (22:40):
You're so crazy.
How important.
We know it's important, but ona scale of one to ten.
How important is it?
Is fashion to a music video?
Oh, wow is fashion to a musicvideo, oh wow I'm speaking in
(23:03):
the form of artistic form, notjust the clothes you wear, but I
mean even with the backgroundand everything.
And how do you feel and howimportant that is, and how do
you use those, I would say,natural elements to make the
outfit pop?
Speaker 1 (23:22):
well, fashion is like number one when it comes to a
music video.
Um, you need it to even makethe video go to the next level,
okay?
Um, if the fashion is off, thesong is off, the video is off,
the artist is off, okay.
So it's best to work with yourstylist.
It's best to work with yourstylist, it's best you know and
(23:49):
have and pay someone you knowbecause you don't want to look
crazy on your videos.
Speaker 2 (23:54):
So okay, have you had a problem, especially with
independent artists?
Because we talk aboutindependent artists and a lot of
them have a budget and theystill, you know, work another
job or whatever.
How do you approach the subjectof payment?
Pay me Well.
Speaker 1 (24:15):
I mean, I'm thinking that when people contact me I'm
just going to speak fromexperience.
When people contact me, thefirst thing I ask them after
hello and how can I help you, iswhat's your budget?
You know, and, to be honest, abudget is important on so many
levels music, video, fashion,all those good things If you can
(24:40):
find something that will workwithin their budget.
I usually try to help people,though I don't lowball myself,
but I do try to help.
If I can, I'll give them somepieces, loan them some pieces,
pieces or go and style them forthe video or something.
I even know other fashiondesigners that um would love the
(25:01):
publicity.
So, yeah, you know, we justwork with them, you know, and
try to stay within their budgetokay, you showed me a flyer
earlier.
Speaker 2 (25:11):
Would you like to show the flyer that you have?
Speaker 1 (25:14):
yes, may.
May 5th, 6th and 7th come seeus for International Independent
Designers Fashion and Art Week.
We'll be in Douglasville.
Speaker 2 (25:25):
Where's Douglasville?
Speaker 1 (25:28):
Georgia, Douglasville , Georgia people.
Speaker 2 (25:34):
Alright, Well, I thank you for coming.
It was very enjoyable talkingto you.
I need you to give everybody asocial media handle where they
can find you, where they canfind your pieces at If they need
something custom done anythingabout Rockstar 86 and Tiffany
Robinson.
Speaker 1 (25:52):
Okay, y'all just follow me on TikTok.
Just type in Rockstar 86 andbaby, everything's going to pop
up.
I'm telling you FacebookInstagram at Bossy and Sexy
Follow me and I'll follow back.
Boop, boop, boop.
Speaker 2 (26:07):
All right, y'all heard her.
Y'all can find us everywhere,on all podcasts and platforms.
You can find the video now onPodcast for Spotify.
Don't forget to come toInternational Designers Fashion
and Art Week.
It's going to be inDouglasville, georgia, on.
What's the date again?
Speaker 1 (26:26):
May 5th, 6th, 7th of 2022.
Hosted by your girl, MJ, baby.
Speaker 2 (26:33):
Hosted by her girl, mj.
Y'all, don't forget tosubscribe, like and share,
because that's what moves thelogarithms, and get out and
support our Black people.
Bye, bye.
Hello everyone, welcome to this week's Indie
Artist Music Hustle with BlindIntelligence.
I'm your host, Ms Ronnie, whereI always seek to give you
exquisite cranial repertoire.
This week we have a veryspecial guest.
We have the CEO of Rockstar 86,Ms Tiffany Robinson.
Say hello to everyone.
Hello world, how are y'all?
Rockstar 86,.
Speaker 1 (00:24):
Miss Tiffany Robinson Say hello to everyone.
Hello world, how are y'all?
Speaker 2 (00:30):
We're doing fine over here in this neck of the woods,
so what we're going to do iswe're going to start out with
letting you take over and telleveryone a little bit about
yourself.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Well, I'm Tiffany Robinson, mostly known as Tiff
Marie, rockstar 86.
I am just a happy spirit to beon this earth.
I have been into the fashionindustry since 2013.
Oh my God, I have beensomewhere everywhere.
We're headed to Georgia in May.
(01:01):
This month we're going toHouston.
Next month is LosAngelesifornia.
We're just ready.
We're man, we're here and we'reready.
Okay, so tell me what made youget into fashion designing
initially um well, it was mydreams as a little girl I've
(01:21):
always had dreams about.
I used to see myself actuallyon the runway.
I didn't know if I was a model,I didn't know if I was a
designer, but by the time I waseight years old it was quite
clear.
I used to play in my mom'sdresses and one day I ended up
ripping one of her contourdresses.
And when I ripped it, you knowknow, I'm seven years old at the
(01:44):
time, so I'm not knowing.
You know, hey, it's a purplevelvet dress.
Use purple thread, right, Iwant to use red thread.
But I sewed it up.
My mom would have never known,and she told me she would have
never known had I not used redthread.
So I knew then if I could sneakand get that back in the closet
without her knowing.
Hey, girl, I can do it so tellme about some of your signature
(02:08):
pieces oh, wow, um well, um, Iwould say one of my favorite
pieces made CIE fashion magazineum spread.
It was a two-piece gold suit,one by Myesha from Houston, and
(02:30):
it was just very spectacular.
It was very special to mebecause that was one of those
pieces that kind of highlightedmy career as a designer.
You know, meeting Raven Wilson,just being at that shoot with
her, her being a creativedirector, and it blew her off
the water.
So I really knew then that, youknow, like I told you, that was
(02:54):
one of my favorite pieces andit's like a hundred more so and
I'm always creating, so Okay, soI know in the beginning you was
telling me a little bit aboutsome of your upcoming events and
some of your past events.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
I met you through the event Overnight Celebrity, so
tell me what made you come upwith that concept and how do you
come up with the concept forany other fashion show that you
design?
Speaker 1 (03:24):
and show that you design Well, as I told you, for
one, I do believe in God, and hebrings all kinds of great
visions to my life.
Ernie, I can't take credit foranything that I haven't done
myself.
I pray about everything, andmost of the time it comes to me
in a dream and from that dream Iwrite it down.
And I'm God set to write itdown on paper and make it plain
(03:47):
for him to see it.
That's what I doing, girl.
I mean, that's how Rockstar 86got started.
Also, my daughter's brand,dream Diamonds, incorporated.
It was all from a dream, youknow.
I had dreams about diamonds andI kept trying to figure out
what her diamonds were comingfrom and I was like it must be
the girls and we started workingtogether and they're
(04:08):
internationally published aswell.
I mean, I'm very proud of whatwe're doing.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
It's the route we chose, so yeah, so what was the
last event that you've done?
Speaker 1 (04:20):
Oh wow, last summer we were on a fashion tour.
We did Katie and a fashion weekwhich was bananas.
I kind of like really showedout there to my own way, but we
did mostly all the fashion weekslast year.
(04:40):
Last summer we really slowed updue to the COVID issue.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
I was going to ask you about that.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
Yeah, we slowed up due to the COVID issue.
Me and my children actuallyended up catching COVID.
We don't know where.
We don't know if it came fromMissouri.
We don't know if it came fromthe events in Arkansas.
We don't know if it came fromLouisiana.
That's how much we were movingaround, so we really don't know
where it came from Louisiana.
That's how much we were movingaround, so we really don't know
where it came from.
But we're glad that we passedthat stone and, girl, we're
(05:10):
ready to keep kicking.
Speaker 2 (05:11):
We are ready but one of the things that we did leave
out in the introduction that Iwant to touch back around now.
I want you to tell everybodywhere you're from and tell me
how do you set the trend forfashion where you are.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
Well, I'm from Shreveport, louisiana Most
people call it Ratchet City.
Okay and just, I think justreaching out to the children,
just teaching them, you know howto do something different.
I spend a lot of my time withthe children of Shreveport,
(05:47):
pretty much anywhere, but mostlyyou know we're doing something
and I'm investing a lot in thechildren because I feel like
they're the future and someonehas to do it.
So if I have to make a wholebunch of community leaders, I'm
with that.
If I have to make a whole bunchof fashion designers, braiders,
entrepreneurs, sewers, whateverit is they love the most about
(06:10):
me, I'm for it.
I'm definitely looking forwardto just opening an outreach
center at some point and justhaving that forum for after
school tutoring to save them offthe streets.
Basketball, homework, whateveryou know.
Just I'm really looking forwardto it.
(06:30):
Ok.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
I know that you mentioned a little bit ago about
your daughters being designers.
Are they designers together orare there two separate designers
?
Speaker 1 (06:43):
Well, talia is more of the sower, she's really the
designer of the two of them.
I have to give you the honestto God truth she has been sewing
since she was seven years old.
I'm really proud of my baby.
She's a scholar on every level,from school.
(07:04):
Just everything she does shebraids.
She's just a great big sister.
Overall, tahana's more of thejewelry maker.
She's more the promoter, thesuperstar behind the crew, and
she's just really the face ofthe company.
Tahana is very hands-on.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
She's learning the soul, but I think she's gonna
stick with jewelry for a while,okay so tell me this with I know
you spoke about covid a littlebit how did covid, like, take
you totally by surprise?
What were you going to do andrealize that you can't do it
(07:49):
anymore pertaining to going toyour fashion shows?
Besides wow so how did it?
Did it?
It didn't stop you, I know itdidn't stop you.
How did it slow you down?
Speaker 1 (08:01):
well, it, it, it did kind of stop me and it, yes, it
did slow me down a lot.
Um, I feel like over the lastpast two years just not just me,
it's a lot of fashion designersthat I feel like would be in
retail have we had that two-yearstretch to keep working and, um
(08:23):
, more, more retailers, um, youknow, will come to shows or
whatnot, or you know, I meanit's, oh, as a fashion designer,
it's not easy at all, you know,to have your brand plastered
everywhere, you know, and that'sour goal.
Most of us want to be, um,nationwide retailers, like
(08:44):
myself.
I want to be a retailer foreverywhere.
I don't want to be nationwideretailers like myself.
I want to be a retailer foreverywhere, I don't want to just
be a local designer.
So I would say that it slowedus down by getting into retail
stores, you know, and also, ifyou don't have, like, websites
and stuff, it made it reallyhard for us as designers.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
So yeah, okay, so I want to ask you this question.
In the media, there has beenseveral stories of smaller
designers getting their designsstole by either celebrities or
bigger name designers.
What do you do to safeguardyourself against that and how do
(09:27):
you really feel about that?
Speaker 1 (09:29):
Oh, wow, that has happened to me before.
I don't want to speak on whichdesigner, the location or
anything, but let's just sayit's a learning experience.
For one, it teaches you to nottrust everybody.
For one, you know when you'retrying to build a foundation for
(09:53):
your brand.
For two, my biggest thing was Istopped showing things you know
before a show.
If you want to see it, come tothe show.
If you don't see it at the show, then you can see the JPEGs
after the event or something, oryou can catch it published in
the magazine or something.
You just have to really protectyourself from everywhere around
(10:16):
it because you know someone'sgoing to get inspired by you,
which is really good, you know.
But you don't want them to havethe same ideas as you.
You don't want them that umhave the same um ideas as you.
You don't want someone to mimicyour every move.
So it's very man.
It's a lot coming with um beinga fashion designer, a custom
(10:36):
fashion designer as well, andmay I say that, um, it's a lot
of people saying that they'refashion designers.
If you're not customizing it,if you can't take a role and cut
it up and make something, youare not a fashion designer.
You are a brand, honey.
I just want to solidify thatwhile we're on, you know,
(10:56):
because you know it's a lot offoolishness in this industry.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
So do you think that there should be punishment for
that?
Speaker 1 (11:08):
Yes, yes, and I think the boundaries should be in
place.
You know, if you're a boutique,you're a boutique.
That's wholesale.
You know you got a T-shirt linethat's a brand.
You know you're just stamping aname on it and I'm not trying
to stop anybody's.
(11:29):
You know, hustle, I'm nottrying to stop.
You know, but someone has tosay it.
You know, if someone has to sayit, hey, who better to say it
than Tiffany Robinson of Rocks36, internationally published
fashion designer?
Who best to say it?
I got you.
Speaker 2 (11:48):
How do you feel about the black culture being
mimicked in fashion?
Speaker 1 (11:57):
Oh, wow, you know me and the designer, coco Monette
of Lady Chatori.
Big shout out to her.
We were talking about thatearlier.
I think.
With social media being aplatform for everybody, it's
(12:22):
easy for someone to just say,hey, I'm this.
You know, my biggest thing ofthat being is I was taught in
fifth grade, for fifth grade,that you want to be wrote about
in the history books.
That was my biggest goal, thatwas my goal in life to be wrote
about when they make the historybooks.
(12:42):
So I mean to see the fashionindustry being watered down,
sugar-coated, tempered with wow,it's a lot, it's a lot.
And I really feel like us, asdesigners not only
African-American designers, ofcourse we have to stick together
(13:06):
and we have to Not onlyAfrican-American designers, of
course.
We have to stick together andwe have to want the other
designer to win.
You know we can't be out heretrying to hold them back If
they're having a show and you'rethere, go and support them.
You know, because you know whatit's like to be a fashion
designer.
You know independent fashiondesigner.
You know a be a fashiondesigner.
You know an independent fashiondesigner is that?
You know a black independentfashion designer.
(13:28):
So if we can come together asblack designers man.
Speaker 2 (13:31):
I think we can really do some stuff okay, so tell me
this they always say that beautyis in the eye of the beholder,
and no, to each his own.
Everybody have their own brainbut.
I have seen some fashion to meand I was like now, where in the
(13:53):
world that they get this?
Where's somebody gonna wearthis?
And it costs thousands ofdollars.
Do you think that some fashionis not fashion and is really
garbage?
But they're getting theirpublicity because they're
already famous.
Yes, what do?
Speaker 1 (14:10):
you think about that?
Yes, yes, yes, yes, and, mo,this is what I can say.
I've spoken about this beforeon numerous interviews.
I've spoken about this beforeon numerous interviews.
I feel like if you are acreator of anything like, you're
(14:31):
a creator, you know you're ahost, you know you do your thing
, you do art, you knoweverything you do from me hair,
me clothing you know it's art,it's art.
Fashion is art, and that andthat's, oh my god.
I think if I interviewed orasked a hundred fashion
(14:52):
designers what they love themost about fashion, they would
say the creativity of it.
I mean, it's really art.
Um, at this upcoming fashionshow in may, I'm really ready to
show another side of me.
I'm really ready, I'm excited,I'm eager.
We have really been workinghard.
(15:13):
I would love to show you what Imean about fashion is art.
Some stuff is not wearable.
Speaker 2 (15:25):
I get you.
So tell me this how do you gothrough your process of picking
out models in your show?
Speaker 1 (15:37):
Oh wow, oh wow, oh wow, oh wow.
And I can't speak fromexperience because we just got
past a casting call and we haveliterally been looking over 200
different applicationsubmissions from different
(15:58):
models.
It was very hard, very, very,very hard to narrow it down and,
of course, with the COVIDrestrictions, you have to be
mindful of the designers and thecrowd and everything and
everybody that participates withthe show.
So we had to narrow it down to20 models out of 200 submissions
(16:20):
.
I don't think I slept in days.
So we actually look for themodels that represent every
brand on a certain level.
I'm someone that's veryversatile.
I think does not matter.
We, we have every ethic in theshow.
(16:42):
We really look for someonewho's very versatile.
You can do contour, but you cando fashion, high fashion, you
can do swimsuits, you can dolingerie.
We look for people that's veryversatile.
It's not really about the looksor the size.
Age doesn't play a big role infashion either.
(17:05):
I just wanted to add Okay.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
I asked that question because I think back to
watching America's Next TopModel and how they would go
through the process and how theywould tell people that they
were eliminated and how it wasan issue if you felt emotional
if you were eliminated and allof that.
So tell me.
That brings me to my nextquestion how do you deal with
(17:30):
models?
Because I asked artists thistoo and I'm gonna get into how
this tie into music.
But how do you deal with modelsthat have the perfect size?
They fit the clothes like aglove?
I everything is great exceptfor the attitude, thank you.
What do you do in thatsituation and what advice would
(17:52):
you give to somebody else?
Speaker 1 (17:56):
Well, one thing I can say is a bad apple, don't roll
far from the tree.
So most producers okay, whenyou notice something's not going
well, um, with a certainsomeone or something, or you see
a certain something, the bestthing is to remove them.
You know.
And one thing I can tell youabout, from designers to models,
(18:20):
anything If you are notbookable, then you kill yourself
with your career.
I mean, it's no career ifpeople can't book you, if people
can't work with you, if peoplecan't criticize you, if people
can't, like I said, you have tobe versatile, you know, and
that's mentally, physically,emotionally.
You have to be versatile inthis industry.
(18:41):
You have to be versatilebecause, like you say, sometimes
you might go to a.
Versatile in this industry.
You have to be versatilebecause, like you say, sometimes
you might go to a fashion showand they have you wearing a bow
tie and bales.
You know how are you gonna dealwith that?
You have to be so strongmentally that you can deal with
anything that comes to you.
And in this fashion industry,music industry I know a lot of
(19:04):
musicians.
This stuff is not for the week.
It's not for the week, trust me.
So get it together If you planon having a career in the
fashion or the music industrybecause, like I said, it takes a
lot of hard work.
You have to invest in yourself.
You have to invest in yourself.
If you don't, like I I said youwill not have a career.
(19:26):
Okay, you will not okay.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
So my next question is I have heard stories of
celebrities wanting to wear somefashion designers clothes, or
some fashion designers wantingsome celebrities to wear their
clothes, but the celebrities, atpoints in time, feel like they
(19:50):
don't have to pay for the piece.
So I want you to tell everyonethe things, the preparation that
goes into designing the piece,even if you're not designing it
for anybody in particular andwhy the designer deserves to be
(20:10):
paid for their piece well, forone.
Speaker 1 (20:14):
Um, the material, okay, um, people don't take in
an account that you're usingyour electricity, you know, to
see to sew.
Um, you're using your gas to goand get the fabric needle
thread.
Um, you have to fit them, whichtakes time out.
Hey, I can be cooking a meal,you know.
(20:36):
Um, you have to still sketchand design the piece and then,
about time, you get ready towork and finally started sewing
and cutting.
And you know, you have investedat least a week, depending on um
, like you said, if it's for aclient, if it's for a fashion
show, if it's for prototype, is,if it's for whatever it's for a
fashion show, if it's forprototype, if it's for whatever
(20:56):
it's for, you're going to investat least a week per item.
That's just if you care aboutyour brand.
Now, if you can come up withsomething today and make it
today and it's out today, thenyou go ahead.
But at the same time, you haveto worry about quantity, not,
(21:17):
you know, with the people, butalso quality with the people,
because that's what they want.
They want quality.
They don't want to walk aroundin something that's falling off
of them.
So, yes, it takes time to makeany piece, you know, and like
you said, from swimsuit to acontour dress girl that can take
(21:42):
months even years.
I see you got some pieces behindyou.
You want to show us some?
Ah, well, like I said, you cansee the fabrics.
Um, we, we really don't want toreveal anything until the
fashion shoots and um, well,miss raven got something big
coming up for me in april, soyou'll get, you'll get a chance
(22:03):
to see some artwork and some ofthese awesome pieces back here.
Man, you know, we just gotta,um really just take our time
with everything, because if Idon't, um, things won't go in
order and, like I said, it takestime.
Even with a vision, um, I knowwhat I want to showcase, when I
want to showcase it.
Um, I also know, um, thatdifferent models, you know, just
(22:27):
like you said, it's all abouttime and in the fashion industry
, and, um, we, we definitelywant to time these.
We want to time these becausethese are timeless pieces.
These are timeless pieces.
Speaker 2 (22:40):
You're so crazy.
How important.
We know it's important, but ona scale of one to ten.
How important is it?
Is fashion to a music video?
Oh, wow is fashion to a musicvideo, oh wow I'm speaking in
(23:03):
the form of artistic form, notjust the clothes you wear, but I
mean even with the backgroundand everything.
And how do you feel and howimportant that is, and how do
you use those, I would say,natural elements to make the
outfit pop?
Speaker 1 (23:22):
well, fashion is like number one when it comes to a
music video.
Um, you need it to even makethe video go to the next level,
okay?
Um, if the fashion is off, thesong is off, the video is off,
the artist is off, okay.
So it's best to work with yourstylist.
It's best to work with yourstylist, it's best you know and
(23:49):
have and pay someone you knowbecause you don't want to look
crazy on your videos.
Speaker 2 (23:54):
So okay, have you had a problem, especially with
independent artists?
Because we talk aboutindependent artists and a lot of
them have a budget and theystill, you know, work another
job or whatever.
How do you approach the subjectof payment?
Pay me Well.
Speaker 1 (24:15):
I mean, I'm thinking that when people contact me I'm
just going to speak fromexperience.
When people contact me, thefirst thing I ask them after
hello and how can I help you, iswhat's your budget?
You know, and, to be honest, abudget is important on so many
levels music, video, fashion,all those good things If you can
(24:40):
find something that will workwithin their budget.
I usually try to help people,though I don't lowball myself,
but I do try to help.
If I can, I'll give them somepieces, loan them some pieces,
pieces or go and style them forthe video or something.
I even know other fashiondesigners that um would love the
(25:01):
publicity.
So, yeah, you know, we justwork with them, you know, and
try to stay within their budgetokay, you showed me a flyer
earlier.
Speaker 2 (25:11):
Would you like to show the flyer that you have?
Speaker 1 (25:14):
yes, may.
May 5th, 6th and 7th come seeus for International Independent
Designers Fashion and Art Week.
We'll be in Douglasville.
Speaker 2 (25:25):
Where's Douglasville?
Speaker 1 (25:28):
Georgia, Douglasville , Georgia people.
Speaker 2 (25:34):
Alright, Well, I thank you for coming.
It was very enjoyable talkingto you.
I need you to give everybody asocial media handle where they
can find you, where they canfind your pieces at If they need
something custom done anythingabout Rockstar 86 and Tiffany
Robinson.
Speaker 1 (25:52):
Okay, y'all just follow me on TikTok.
Just type in Rockstar 86 andbaby, everything's going to pop
up.
I'm telling you FacebookInstagram at Bossy and Sexy
Follow me and I'll follow back.
Boop, boop, boop.
Speaker 2 (26:07):
All right, y'all heard her.
Y'all can find us everywhere,on all podcasts and platforms.
You can find the video now onPodcast for Spotify.
Don't forget to come toInternational Designers Fashion
and Art Week.
It's going to be inDouglasville, georgia, on.
What's the date again?
Speaker 1 (26:26):
May 5th, 6th, 7th of 2022.
Hosted by your girl, MJ, baby.
Speaker 2 (26:33):
Hosted by her girl, mj.
Y'all, don't forget tosubscribe, like and share,
because that's what moves thelogarithms, and get out and
support our Black people.
Bye, bye.
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