Meet Anthony “Fly Koolade” T.: Lead designer & Go to Guy

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anthony “Fly Koolade” T. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anthony “Fly Koolade”, what do you attribute your success to?
Staying true to the foundation of the brand. We have always operated outside of the trendiness of the industry. AYV stands for Accent Your Vibe… we have our own wave. We supply pieces so that the true outfit architects can create dope looks that are timeless and different than what the masses are rocking. We stay a step ahead of current trends.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I like to look at AYV as art. All fashion is. I started the brand back in 1999. I have seen a lot of brands come and go… I have always navigated thru trends and time by staying in my own lane. You find long term success by not jumping on the newest, hottest trend. I learned to build a solid brand by focusing on the core exsistence of AYV. And here we are 21 years later, still moving pieces, making waves and supplying some of the flyest people on earth with great apparel. We will still be here in 500 years, staying true to our roots.

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?
My hometown is Detroit, MI…. I someone was gonna hangout with me for a week here, I would take them to my store AYV x Fresher first! They have to get fresh for their stay. Then, we would hit up all of the good food spots (pre Covid) like: Asian Corned Beef, The Turkey Grill, The Block, North, E&S Shrimp Hut & Caribbean Citchen. If we were going to hang out, it would be The Belt ( it like an alley with entrances to some indoor and outdoor bars, it’s always a great time!) Also: Delmar, Views, Minnie’s and at the Marina where a few of my guys have boats docked. But hanging out in Downtown Detroit you will definitely find some fun things to get into.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family 1st. They have always been huge supporters and encouragers. I work day to day with my wife by my side, she keeps me motivated. She has a brand also: (The Fresher Brand) and we keep each other sharp and on our toes. Having a strong support system is a major plus!

Website: AYVlifestyle.com
Instagram: @AYVlifestyle
Twitter: @AYVlifestyle
Facebook: @AYVlifestyle
Other: Pinterest: @AYVlifestyle

Image Credits
Anthony Peat Fly Koolade Melody Fresh