Essence Fashion House: We’ve Been Here Before
Essence Fashion House: We’ve Been Here Before’ Event with Caroline Wanga – President & Chief Executive Officer and Essence Ventures interviews Tony Shellman founder of Mecca USA and Enyce Clothing, and Michael Barnett (Mike B!) CEO of BOGARD by Mike B! In an electrifying celebration for fashion during Fashion Week in New York City, Essence Fashion House brought together a dynamic lineup of visionaries and fashion legends for their groundbreaking event, “We’ve Been Here Before.” This unforgettable gathering featured Caroline Wanga, President and Chief Executive Officer of Essence Communications, along with special guests Tony Shellman, co-founder of Mecca USA and Enyce Clothing Co., and Michael Barnett (Mike B!) from BOGARD, commonly known as Mike B! The event was not only a showcase of fashion and creativity but also a powerful reminder of how Black culture drives culture and IS culture, “…the revolution has to be financed and economic inclusion is a human right…” is how Caroline eloquently put it. Fashion has always played a pivotal role in the expression of culture, and this event celebrated fashion’s unique ability to tell stories, convey identity, and empower individuals. Caroline Wanga, the CEO of Essence Media, highlighted how the fashion we see today has been here before, how do we own it and operate today at our full value and have it returned to us. It was a celebration of being Black. Special Guest Tony Shellman, a fashion industry icon and founder of brands like Mecca USA and Enyce, joined the conversation to share his insights into his hisotry in fashion and Black culture. Tony spoke about his journey from the streets of Seatlle Washington to the streets of New York City and how he used Hip Hop as a backdrop to create his iconic styles of clothing at the companies he co-founded. Michael Barnett, a well known as Mike B! Your favorite fashion stylist, added his story to the conversation on how he started in fashion since day one. Mike B! reminisced about dressing up for Easter Sunday’s and using mom’s sheets as backdrops to take fun fashion styled photos as a kid. He eventually became the goto person for the street hustlers in his neighborhood to bring back the flyest wears for them to buy. This led to him graduating to become an intern stylist for Groovey Lou who was the main stylist for Sean Combs – Diddy at Bad Boy records. Today Mike B! Is the favorite fashion stylist for many top celebrities. One of the crucial takeaways from “We’ve Been Here Before” is the recognition that supporting the revolution is not only about protests and activism—it’s also about financial empowerment. To sustain and amplify the movement for Black culture and equality, it’s essential to invest in Black-owned businesses, creators, and artists, Wanga notes. It was an important showcase Afro-American brands for the next generations to watch. In closing Caroline expresses the importance for the younger creators to tap into the legends for guidance and know how. Never think you are too cool for school. Watch the full video our YouTube channel and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for upcoming showcases and Making A Brand Creative Webinar series in the future.
A Team-Building Guide: Tony Shellman’s Secret to Success
Behind every successful entrepreneur lies a team of talented individuals who contribute their unique skills and expertise to bring a vision to life. Tony Shellman, a prominent figure in the streetwear industry, has demonstrated this truth through his remarkable achievements in building not one, but three successful streetwear brands. Those brands consisted of Mecca USA, Enyce Clothing Company, and Parish Nation. A key aspect of Tony’s secret to success has been his ability to use a team-building guide to work with a highly qualified team, including his partners and close friends: Lando Felix, Phil Pabon, Chaka Wilson, and business partner Evan Davis. Together, they formed an unstoppable force that propelled their streetwear brands to new heights. One of the indispensable members of Tony Shellman’s team was Lando Felix. Lando was the co-founder of Mecca USA and Enyce Clothing Co. He is a creative visionary who brought a unique perspective to the table. Lando’s artistic talents and ability to forecast emerging trends helped shape the aesthetic direction of their streetwear lines. From designing eye-catching graphics to curating captivating campaigns, Lando infused each collection with his artistic flair. His ability to tap into the pulse of popular culture and translate it into compelling designs contributed to the brands’ appeal among streetwear enthusiasts. No successful venture can thrive without a keen business acumen, and Evan Davis provided precisely that for Tony Shellman’s streetwear lines. Evan’s strategic thinking, financial expertise, and strong analytical skills ensured that the brands not only looked good but also ran efficiently and profitably. He played a pivotal role in forging partnerships, negotiating deals, and managing the operational aspects of the business. Evan’s ability to balance creativity with a business mindset created a solid foundation for the brands’ success. He implemented robust systems and processes, sourced reliable manufacturing partners, and optimized the supply chain, enabling the brands to meet the demands of a rapidly growing customer base. und the brands was instrumental in their rapid growth and recognition. As his presence will always be missed, Phil Pabon served as the marketing strategist for Mecca USA and Enyce Clothing Company, translated creative concepts into actionable marketing plans. Phil’s deep understanding of the target market, consumer behavior, and industry trends allowed him to develop effective marketing strategies that resonated with the audience. He conducted thorough market research, analyzed data, and identified key opportunities to position the streetwear brands for success. Phil collaborated closely with Lando Felix, the creative visionary, to ensure that the marketing efforts aligned with the brand’s aesthetic and message. He oversaw the development and execution of cohesive marketing campaigns across various channels, including the ever growing market of the hip hop culturen, media, print, and product placement. Phil’s strategic approach helped build brand awareness, expand the customer base, and generate buzz around the collections. Chaka Wilson joined forces with Tony Shellman after Phil’s departure taking his marketing expertise to another level. With Mecca and Enyce already capturing a national market, Chaka saw an audience that wasn’t being marketed to. Chaka brought streetwear to the international market. Chaka leveraged his network of the music industry and tastemakers to create strategic partnerships and collaborations overseas. By identifying the right music artist and movie actors who aligned with the brand’s values, he amplified the reach and impact of the brand’s marketing campaigns. Chaka’s ability to forge meaningful connections within the industry played a significant role in elevating the brands’ visibility and credibility on an International level. Chaka, the marketing warrior that he is, conquered and dominated the European market by storm, increasing clothing sales for Enyce and Parish Nation tremendously. Other brands copied Chaka’s marketing strategy to tap into a market he had already established. The magic of Tony Shellman’s success lies not only in the individual talents of his partners but also in their ability to collaborate and harness the power of their collective skills. Together, they formed a dynamic team that seamlessly integrated their respective expertise to create a harmonious whole. By leveraging their individual strengths and fostering a culture of openness. Tony Shellman’s journey to building three successful streetwear lines serves as a testament to the power of a qualified and collaborative team. Lando Felix, Phil Pabon, Evan Davis, and Chaka Wilson each brought their dynamic talents to the table, propelling the brands to new heights. Through their combined efforts, they demonstrated that a successful venture requires a diverse range of skills and expertise. Their shared vision, dedication, and ability to work together harmoniously served as the foundation for their achievements. Aspiring entrepreneurs can draw inspiration from Tony Shellman’s team-building guide to recognize the importance of building a qualified team to transform their visions into reality. Discover Tony Shellman’s recipe for success at The Cultivators, where you can explore subjects like product development, intro to trademark basics, brand development, and other invaluable insights to set your business apart from your competition. Arrange a personalized meeting with Tony Shellman and our team of mentors through “Making A Brand – Talk to a Mentor” to engage in one-on-one discussions.
Streetwear Legend Tony Shellman Speaks On His History In Fashion
Referred to as the “Sacagawea of Urban Fashion,” April Walker is a woman who has lived many lives. And as a fashion pioneer, she has certainly worn many hats. Starting with Brooklyn-based boutique Fashion In Effect in 1987 and streetwear mainstay Walker Wear in the early 1990s, Walker’s flair for creating timeless yet trendy pieces would soon make her the talk of the town. And perhaps the indisputable style queen of The Golden Era of Hip-Hop. Working with the likes of urban luminaries The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, RUN-DMC, and Aaliyah (among countless others), Walker’s presence as a Black woman working and, most importantly, thriving in a world dominated by men continues to uplift and inspire. She has recently taken on the role of educator, and she is teaching a class on it. She is now an instructor at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Walker, and she has spent several semesters guiding up-and-coming fashion students and stylists through the tricks of the trade. On November 2, 2021, she brought in a rather extraordinary guest and personal friend, Tony Shellman, to help her. Back in the day, there was no doubt that the Walker Wear offices were packed with stars and other prominent figures, but one, in particular, would come to stand mighty tall above the rest, and he would do so by becoming an icon of his own. The Seattle native rose through her team’s ranks and went on to become co-founder of the legendary labels ENYCE, Mecca, and Parish Nation. Tony Shellman stopped by to share some of his expertise as an alumnus of Parsons School of Design, shed light on his time at Walker Wear as a sales representative, and discuss his insights on the streetwear industry. Check out the photos above and tell us what you think of these two history-makers coming together again via our social channels!