CONRAD BOOKER
2) When did you begin creating garments?
About 10 years ago.
3) Where are you from?
Buffalo, New York
4) Where are you currently located?
Philadelphia, PA
5) When did you begin to launch your brand online?
About 5 years ago.
6) Why fashion?
A friend needed clothes for a hair competition and she asked me if I could create something. I did not have much money at the time and needed items that were large volume/low cost. I discovered amazing things at “Lowes” - a big box home improvement center. I became hooked and started designing clothes, with an avant-garde twist, from items found there.
7) Do you have any education behind fashion? For example, mentorship, institutions or would you say you are self-taught?
I am 100% self-taught. The foundations of sewing I learned from my grandmother and mother. My grandmother worked for a company in Buffalo, New York, that made suits for Johnny Carson ( talk show host). She taught me to see and make high-quality garments. My mother would sew and I learned from her how to create new silhouettes from old patterns. I have taken sewing classes from Baldwin Sewing on 4th Street in Philadelphia. He teaches the old school classics of sewing that I remember from my grandmother. Priceless!
8) How has social media helped build your brand?
Social media has helped to build my brand in so many ways. From brand exposure to customer sales, I could not be where I am today without it. [I am] Looking to take my social media brand to higher heights.
9) What are some highlights to your success over the years?
Cover of Numero Russia
Featured designer at PAFA
Featured designer at Ebony- Fashion Fair
Work sold at Joan Shepp
Work sold at Linda Golden
Work featured in Philadelphia- Inquirer Wedding Edition
Board member for Philadelphia Fashion Incubator at Macy’s Center City
Alumni of Philadelphia Fashion Incubator at Macy’s Center City
10) What are ways in which you have developed your brand? For example, inspiration and/or education.
There are several ways that I have developed my brand, but the one that has been most beneficial has been my time at the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator at Macy’s Center City. It has given me the business foundation that I need for long term growth for my business. Without it my path would be difficult.
11) Who are some fashion icons that inspire you?
Alexander McQueen (Alexander McQueen)
Maison Margiela (John Galliano)
Schiaparelli (Daniel Rosenberry)
Rei Kawakubo (Comme des Garsons)
Christian Lacroix (Christian Lacroix)
Chanel (Karl Lagerfeld)
Lavin (Albert Elbaz)
12) What would you say makes your fashion creativity stand out amongst the rest?
What stands out most about my creativity is my fearless use of unique materials, which can be attributed to my architectural training and my 13 years as Creative Director of an architecture firm.
13) Where do you see your brand in five years?
In 5 years, I see myself having a successful online store, a strong media footprint and have plans on the board for a forward thinking and fluid concept store that merges Art/Architecture/Fashion together to create a unique experience.
14) If you could give a word of encouragement to people following their dreams in the fashion industry what would that be?
Someone dreaming of going into the fashion industry. I would encourage them to study other designers and their methodology of designing, then take the best aspects of it and add your language to make it your own. Know that the path will be long but worth every minute of it.
