Meet Mae Young | Clothing Designer & Artist

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

Hi Mae, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
So the funny thing is, I’m actually in school now pursuing a career in the medical field which I personally wouldn’t necessarily put under “artistic or creative” so much, but me pursuing this career in the medical field, partially contributes to why I decided to tap into this artistic and creative side of me in the first place. My brand brings out a different side to me that I honestly am just now learning and getting to meet, and probably would’ve never met if I didn’t start. Growing up, I’ve always had a love for helping people, doctors, science and all things of that sort but the love I have for making and designing clothes just feels different, it feels like a passion. This is something that I truly want to pursue because it allows me to be unapologetically me, and find out more and more about myself. It’s like I can literally just picture something and just create it. It allows me to see the world so differently, to be able to see the art in everything! Before starting my brand, I didn’t really think I had anything that gave me this type of spark, I would always see people doing what they love and be inspired, but would be disappointed realizing that nothing gave me that type of drive or spark, I honestly hadn’t seen much talent in myself & I would pray about it all the time.

Now, I look at pieces I’ve made and am in disbelief that I ever use to think that about myself. I am able to picture things in my mind, ideas, looks, outfits, pieces and just create them without input from the outside world. Whenever I get into my creating zone, whether that be behind a sewing machine or while I’m drawing pieces out in my sketchpad, scrolling on Pinterest or Tumblr or even planning a brand shoot is when I’m the happiest, it feels like the sky is the limit and I can really make anything that I want to make without rules, micromanagement, or outside input. This feeling is why I decided to pursue an artistic, creative career, it just feels freeing and brings me so much closer to me!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Being that every individual piece I sell is handmade, I believe that my craft alone sets me apart from others. I look at Twentytwothreads more so as an outlet, a form of art, a way to express myself rather than just a business and way to get a little extra money in my pocket here and there. I haven’t reached where I want to reach professionally just yet, but even the start of the journey itself has not been easy. Being a full-time biology major student in college, working a job, and also running a business while still trying to maintain my mental health and well-being, has been one of the biggest challenges I have ever had to deal with. Although it is a big challenge, it feels so rewarding considering this is the most I’ve ever felt pushed to work on discipline and myself as a whole. I have learned that whatever you want in this world is on the other side of discipline and focus, what you decide to do with every single hour of the day counts! I want the world to know that you can literally do anything that you have in mind the only thing stopping yourself is yourself, and although this might sound like something you hear at the end of every speech or lecture it’s true!! Most times the limitations that you think you have are just an illusion so do it now, do it unmotivated, do it tired, do it broke, just do it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
So I’m from Charlotte, North Carolina and I really just go to school out here in Atlanta. I’ve only been down here for about a year and a half and although I do love the city, I haven’t really explored the city as much as I would like, I actually have a folder on TikTok now with just a whole bunch of places that I would like to go to but never get the chance to go. But so far, if I could recommend a place to my best friend visiting the area for the first time I would tell them to go to toast on Lenox, I love brunch food and that place always hits the spot with so many options to chose from. My favorite part of Atlanta so far is the city, so I would recommend just walking through downtown and midtown for a good time and good views of all the lights and skyscrapers!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shout out my family for being so entrepreneurial driven. Both of my siblings, my younger and older brothers have businesses in the arts as well, both my brothers have used their photography brands (@nfwshotem/@bykd.us) to help get my brand started! Growing up I watched both of my parents come up with a business idea or start a business literally a new one every year since I’ve was younger. My mom being an amazing cook, owns a small African food catering company and my dad owned a million dollar brand back in Africa before coming before to the states! Now, I can use their drive as inspiration for my new brand.

And of course shout out to God, because the first time I had ever made a piece of clothing, was the first time I had ever even picked up a needle and thread! That’s God given talent that I am extremely grateful for.

Website: https://twentytwothreads.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twentytwothreads.co?igsh=MTlmbmtyN2JxaDc4YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@twentytwothreads.co?_t=8kGn6onXulK&_r=1

Image Credits
-BYKD.US -NFWSHOTEM