Meet Imani Woodard | Clothing Artist & Stylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Imani Woodard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Imani, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
I have struggled with this my entire career as an entrepreneur. I have “given” up on a lot of things before starting my clothing brand, but I know those things weren’t meant for me. And honestly the things I quit before didnt feed my soul and make me happy the way designing has. But when I started designing the question changed from “to give up or not to give up” but morphed into “how can i learn and make this bigger and better.” Quitting is easy, continuing through the hardships and obstacles creates character and tests your strength. Some of the greatest achievers in this life have worked on their craft for years, and years, and years. Greatness is created overtime, keep pushing through if you love what you’re doing and the results will ultimately follow.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve been designing for over 10 years, and honestly I am still learning. What I try to remember is that its not about wrong or right or good or bad its about trying and taking an honest stab at whatever youre trying. Staying open minded and spongelike in this industry is so important, business and especially the fashion industry is ever changing. Being open to those changes and being quickly adaptable is what has gotten me where I am today, not out of business. My journey has not been easy but I wouldn’t change it for anything else. I have been building my business with little to no help, this has been hard because if anyone has seen those reels about entrepreneurship on IG you know, an entrepreneur does EVERYTHING.

Tattered Exclusive is a reconstructed clothing brand, 100% handmade by me. We make things from pants, to t-shirts, to deconstructed jackets all out of items sustainably sourced. Tattered’s designs are 100% unique, theres no item in my line that looks like anything you’ve ever seen in a store. Thats what sets us apart, every piece is as unique as our customer. When I shopped in stores, I could never find anything different, everything was a replica of the next thing, I hate that about fashion sometimes. Fashion is suppose to encompass each persons personal style and be unique to them; thats what my brand does for that customer that cares about individualism, aids them in showcasing their personal style.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The beltline would be our first stop; we would walk the beltline and pop into Paris on Ponce and do some vintage furniture browsing. Of course if you are on the beltline you have to go to Ponce City Market there we would eat Hops chicken because, OMG!!! After eating we would head up yo Skyline park and play carnival games, and get cocktails on the rooftop.

The next day we would go to the High Museum of Art, and take a nice stroll down to SCAD and see the SCAD Fashion Museum. After that we would get some mexican at Julios down the street.

The next day we would do sunrise yoga in Chastain park and have a chill day of shopping at Perimeter Mall.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my Mother, Monique Shaw. She is the only reason I am standing here today, in the obvious sense duh! But my mother has served has an example of an Independent and powerful black women my entire life; working to give me a better life and still being home at night to tuck me in. And not to mention she is the FIRST black women I’ve known personally who’s owned their own business and operates it themselves. Being a dark skin women in this world isn’t easy but my mother has told me since birth that I am beautiful and have something amazing to give to the world. If that foundational love wasn’t given to me by my mother, I have no idea where I would be right now; probably not striving to be a millionarie before 35 I’m sure! She is the greatest love of my entire life and I own EVERYTHING to her! I love you lil momma! Your mansion and date with Drake is on the way! Lol

Website: www.tatteredexclusive.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tatteredexclusive/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imani-woodard/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tatteredex

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tatteredexclusive/

Youtube: https://youtu.be/vyWJCn2e3OQ

Image Credits
Black Pine Photography Fearless Kryss Studios