The Brooklyn Circus
How and when did the idea to create the brand come to pass?
I've always been fascinated by the power and beauty of what you can communicate through clothing, it's history and how it captures truth in the human personality. The clothes don't make the man, but you really are what you wear. There is so much you say and don't say in what you choose to wear or not wear. So that relationship with clothing, history and expression turned into the mission of launching a career in design first then the clothing industry is what sparked me to launch The Brooklyn Circus in 2006.
The aesthetics of the apparel seem moody, vintage, and refreshing. What are the inspirations behind the designs?
I am a self taught Graphic Designer, with a degree in African Studies, born in Haiti to a traveling mother, raised by a household of strong women-four sisters, lots of aunts and a humble but opinionated grandmother. That pretty much describes my interest in people, details and vintage- which are all the elements or notes you feel, taste and see in what The Brooklyn Circus does.
What was your experience opening up a business as a Black person in America?
I was in my early 20's when I opened my first clothing store. I worked in the nightlife for several years and worked in corporate for close to a year. I learned quickly what I could put up with and what I couldn't. I loved the finer things in life and loved working, but I was always patient and not willing to compromise my comfort to work in a certain environment. So launching my own business was a willingness to deal with the reality of being Black in America but on my own terms.
How has Covid-19 affected your business? What have been some of the challenges or opportunities?
It started out really strange and then became really interesting. We went from having to close the store, to deciding to launch our new site-the best decision we made to the overlap of the Black Lives Matter uprising and BOOM! our business was up 200%.
What has the Black Lives Matter movement meant to your brand?
It speaks to who we are. The Brooklyn Circus and our 100yrplan is a statement of protest. It's our story as told by us-with love and care and not an ounce of hate. It's the story that our education system from K-12 neglected to share with us. I learned more about Black History while an African Studies major at Stony Brook than all the previous years I spent learning about history through the white, oppressive American lens.
The editorial pieces on the website are invigorating. Were these journalistic interviews of artists and creative people always a part of the plan for The Brooklyn Circus?
All of that is rooted in our love for the Circus concept, Jazz, Hip Hop and Reggae music. We built a global village around The Brooklyn Circus, so we are always surrounded by the most amazing, talented, creative people from across the globe. It's really a Circus concept- A platform to present not only what we do but how it relates to what our creative network is doing. Thinking of the village and culture every step of the way, which leaves so much room for improvisation- like Jazz music.
What message would you like The Brooklyn Circus apparel to convey by those who wear it?
Like music we are clear about the elements/instruments we use in what we do, but we are open to how you interpret every piece. We leave a level of abstraction in the work, the collections and everything to leave room for you to add your journey to it. The Brooklyn Circus is a journey in self exploration and we plan to go deep, so the 100year plan gives us enough time to take it slow, enjoy the journey and unlearn some things along the way.
