Entreprenuer | Neon Renaissance Magazine: The Blog

Hidden Star: Designer Perre Hayes of “Prosperous Features” brand Q&A

By Patrick Hill @Pathill17

Introduce yourself by telling our readers your name, where you from, and what you do.
I’m Perre Hayes (Perry), Born and raised in Alexandria Virginia and I’ve been designing clothing for awhile now.

What made you become a fashion designer?
Growing up, I felt like we had it all. Anything that asked for, it was granted. At the age of 12 we moved and that’s when I realized that we didn’t have it all but mom and dad were just doing their best. Playing basketball and my sister cheerleading. Funds were short. Beginning my 7th grade year. I only had two pairs of pants. Cargoes and a black pair of jeans. So, I began to use old denim. I bleached, used spray paint, fabric glue and whatever I thought looked good. It was one of the best weeks of school. An outfit for the first 5 days and the students help my school year a lot. They bought my art and that was the beginning.

Who inspired you to be a designer?
Author Ashe was a big inspiration to me at first. I was an athlete first. Jan Matzeliger became second major influence. Had to find someone that did what I do, looked like me and faced issues on the to his own success.

Tell us about your brand and what your brand stands for.
The brand is Prosperous Features. Everyone has an interesting feature (talent) that can help us move forward in life and that feature can be very prosperous. We’re focused on a classic and prep-urban wear.

When you look at the fashion market and the competitors that your brand will have to face. What are you expectations for your brand and what separates your brand from the competition?
I haven’t really been looking at the market lately. I’m not looking at it all right now. Don’t want to see anyone’s ideas that may weigh in on my designs. I get ideas from everywhere and I get lost in my own imagination. When it comes to competitors. I’m not worried about them. I have to make us a competitive threat to them. What separates us from them would be our prep-urban wear. Suits and ties are also going to be way different. Bring some old styles back and mix it with today’s style.

You mention old style. You mean look like the 80’s or 70’s?
Maybe the 70’s but not the 80’s. I’m talking the Flippers from the 20’s and 30’s sir.

Okay. It’s funny I was going to post a black history article on the fashion.
Actually, this summer. I have a segment call Black History Summer. Targeting the everyday things that we use every day.

Explain that segment. What things are we using everyday as far as art and fashion?
Jan Matzeliger worked for many years to build a machine that can produce 100 to 700 pairs of shoes in a day.

Have you launch any product so far?
We do have product out Ha! and 1804 shirts and hats are being sold word of mouth until the launch.

When can customers expect your brand to launch?
March 16th is our launch date. June 19th is the launch for black history summer.

On March 16th, consumer can expect to buy your items on the website?
Yes! prosfeat.com

Alright. Well I don’t want to hold you up. Where can people find you to be updated on your work?
Facebook Instagram and Snapchat. We’ll be updating once a month and leading up to BHS. There will be a cookout/community outreach event the weekend be for June 19th. Prosperous Features on FB, @prosperousfeatures on IG and prosfeat1804 on Snapchat.

TV and Movie Tees

Game of Thrones

16142883_10103254499369197_9210190943782272274_n — Photo by Alan Lux Studios

Why Karlton Clay is the Victor?

By Patrick Hill @Pathill17

Let’s get started. Introduce yourself to the readers, your name, where you’re born, and your profession.

My name is Karlton T. Clay. I am 32 years old. Born and raised in Augusta, GA. Graduated from the illustrious John S. Davidson Fine Arts School in 2004 and from Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA in 2008. I am the founder and CEO of Victory Productions Network.

There are a lot of people who are interested in filmmaking. Take us through the process of how you became a filmmaker and how long did it take for you to start your own production.

Well, I actually started out in theatre. They say that the stage is a good training ground and it truly is because you learn the real technical aspects of acting and writing for an audience. I learned editing and filming while I was at Davidson and I began utilizing it while I was at Georgia State. I started out doing short films/videos but of course, i was coming from theatre so i’m treating the actors like we’re on the stage. Even going into the first two seasons of my first web series College Daze, I had that mindset. But over the years, I learned the importance of camera shots and different angles and lighting and all that stuff. Even today, I’m on my 9th web series and I’m still learning and growing as a writer and content creator.

Basically, for our readers who want to be a filmmaker, they have to go through those procedures or is it like learning on the spot when it comes to the details of filming?

For me, it’s about learning on the spot. Would I suggest film school? Yes of course. I believe education is important. But you won’t develop and grow unless you go through the process of producing your own work. Experience IS the best teacher.

Victory Production Network is the name of your business. You run and operate the production as you should be being the CEO. Tell me about your experience running a production company. What’s life like being the CEO of an upcoming and rising production company?

It is a LOT of hard work. It is fulfilling and it can be fun at times but it’s definitely a lot of work. I’ve put 15 years into building company and the grind is real. it definitely isn’t overnight success over here. Not only am I running the business end but I’m behind all the creative business as well. I write, produce, direct, and edit all the shows. So it’s a lot of hard work but i love it. And I know it’s all going to pay off. I’m grateful for the group of people that God has blessed me to work with here at VPN.

What is the goal for you and your brand? Do you set goals for yourself or do you just go with the flow and continue to push content with no goal in mind?

My ultimate goal is to operate a national television and online network. As far as content, I am just being the creative being that I am. When I have an idea, I put it out there. I have a voice and stories to tell. And even if I’m not at the main stage YET, I won’t let that stop me from telling the stories and developing these characters. I believe it’s important to continue to push the content.

Right. I notice you have launch VPN Magazine which I will be buying this Friday to show my support. Looks like a great magazine that you publish. What’s the next step for your brand?

Thank you. Yes, I’ve been wanting to do a magazine for a long time but never knew how. Nelson J. Davis and Shamar Allen gave me the push I needed to move forward with that. I always used to complain how those who are making strides aren’t getting the platform or recognition that they deserve. So I decided that I would be the change I want to see and develop VPN Mag. Not only will you meet innovative entertainers and entrepreneurs. You’ll also get to meet people you’ve grown to know and love (or hate depending on the character) within VPN. Next step is to continue to make VPN a household name with different merchandising. I want to get into the wine game next. Been looking at different ways on how to get started with that.d as of incorporating ideas such as a publication?

Wine game is looking fierce out there. Any possibility of a VPN talk show or podcast? I notice you have used social media live stream to your advantage for brand marketing.

That’s definitely a possibility. I think we have to get more people on the team so i’m not doing everything but that’s definitely not out of the question.

This is the last question. This is something you probably talk about many times. When you look at the dynamic of entertainment as a whole and also the issues that are happening from the Harvey Weinstein as well as MeToo movement to the lack of diversity in Hollywood. You being the CEO and also an independent filmmaker. What goes through your mind about those events and what do you think about the direction of black films moving forward. Should there be more black films like Girls Night, Moonlight, and etc. happening every year?

I think that The lack of diversity is always going to be an issue but I feel it is up to us as content creators of color to continue to create our own paths and our own lanes. The NAACP Image Awards are a perfect example of Black Excellence. Those are the type of moves and strides we should be making. It goes the same with us as independent artists. We have to continue to create our own lanes and dictate our futures. Nothing is given.

For merchandise and content, go to VPN website.

https://www.thevpntv.com/

Featured Photo by Alan Lux Studios

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