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

Hi Mallory, what do you want your legacy to be?
I want to be remembered as someone who was intentional about being kind, nurturing community, and creating spaces for the Black people to dream as big as they want. I recognize the ways in which I’ve been blessed in my life, so it only feels right that I aim to do the same for others. It’s important for me to live a life for a purpose bigger than myself. That is where legacy is created, when you do something that is able to live on past you. My main goal is to do right by people, and I think I can do that best by living a life of service.

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.

At 10 years old I started doing two things: making lipstick and sewing. I was always very “hands-on” as a kid, so in my free time, I was prone to be watching DIY YouTube videos and making a mess out of various projects. I started getting acne in middle school, which turned me away from making lipstick out of crayons to making my own skincare from whatever was in the pantry or in my mother’s garden. My dermatologist at the time was very hesitant about prescribing treatments she knew weren’t formulated for sensitive and melanated skin like mine, so that led me to taking a deeper interest into what I put on my skin. I started researching things like “best ingredients for Black skin” and making my own face washes, body washes, and face masks. In this, I found art. The process of formulating, to getting the desired product, and then seeing the results felt very similar to my other passion, design. I decided at this point I would, God willing, go to Spelman College and major in chemistry and chemical engineering to become a cosmetic chemical engineer in order to decrease the disparity gap in the cosmetic industry and mitigate the associated health issues. In addition to making my own skincare, I’ve had the wonderful opportunity of spending three summers with the Estee Lauder Companies as a research and development intern, where I have been able to get a better understanding of the industry, the science, and the art behind cosmetics.

While I chose to academically pursue my interest in cosmetic design, I’ve never wanted to halt my pursuit for fashion design. I was 10 years old when I was gifted my first sewing machine. Prior, I spent hours hand sewing pillows and designing heels from ballet slippers, Legos, and hot glue. Growing up in a family where everyone owned a sewing machine, I knew early I wanted to learn how to be as talented as my grandmother, aunts, and mother at thinking and creativity. These women were my first mentors for style and meaning. In high school, I took an art-based trip to Chicago, and visited the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, where Virgil Abloh’s “Figures of Speech” Exhibit was on display. Every room was familiar, personal, and communal. Growing up in metro-Atlanta is central to my growth. The city is a museum, with culture, music, art, and fashion on every corner. Traversing “Figures of Speech” brought me home, and I immediately began researching Virgil, who would soon become a hero of mine. I want to be a fashion designer and creative director, particularly to design philosophically, blending multiple narratives into a single outlet. Like many creatives, I carry the memories of learning to design and watching my mentors perform their crafts. It is these stories that have the potential to change the way the world understands “high fashion”.

This has all led to the birth of The Optimist. After Virgil passed in 2021, I was shocked, devastated, and felt pessimistic about the future of the fashion industry. After some thought, I realized my perspective was only a hindrance, and I was reminded of his visionary spirit. The Optimist is my digital archive for all creative endeavors. While it also serves as a “brand” for my designs, the purpose is much bigger. The Optimist is more like a reminder of a philosophy to approach all creative endeavors with optimism. That how Virgil’s legacy continues, and that’s how new legacies are created.

Some of these endeavors include:

Providence Minds, which is really a friend group. But we are intentional about making art, creating space, opportunity, and community within the Atlanta University Center and beyond.

Pardon Our Progress is a magazine I currently serve as Editor-in-Chief of. My cool friend, Gabrielle Archibald, founded the zine last year in hopes of leaving a legacy that would support and highlight the mass amounts of creativity and achievements of AUC students, before she graduated this spring. We publish monthly issues for the AUC (Atlanta University Center) community, providing space to highlight the fashion, photography, and literature of AUC students.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love Atlanta so we would be all over. Midtown is my favorite part of the city. We would definitely need to visit Ponce, Krog, Lil Five, the Beltline, and Piedmont (Park). For eating, I would take my friend to The Flying Buscuit, Toast on Lenox or Breakfast at Tiffany’s (my favorite) for brunch. Ton Ton, Sweetgreen, Tindrum, of Goodfellas for lunch, and Rumi’s Kitchen, Serena Pastificio, or St. Cecilia for dinner. We would definitely need to go shopping, so I would suggest Atlantic Station, Lenox, or Perimeter. And to end the week we would have to stop at Jeni’s (Ice Cream) or Insomnia for deserts.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Firstly, all glory and recognition goes to God in the highest. That’s really where all the credit goes, and I thank Him for those He’s placed in my life to be a part of my journey. That includes my family who have always been supportive and inspiring me to chase after every dream. Before I believed in myself, they believed in me. I also must thank my amazing mentors that have been fundamental to my journey: Dr. Michelle Hite, Shona Pinnock, Kitiya King, Jonothan Hall. These four in particular have given me advice and support that has landed me exactly where I am today, I am forever indebted. I must also thank Spelman College for being the home away from home I didn’t know I needed. Spelman has been one of the best decisions of my life. At Spelman I have found sisters and opportunities for personal and academic growth. I continue to be molded into a version of myself I used to dream of. I am so thankful to my #1 HBCU for creating the environment for me to flourish. Lastly, I must also thank all friends, Providence Minds, the Fashion Scholarship Fund, the Virgil Abloh “Post-Modern” Scholarship, and Neiman Marcus Group Scholarship, and Virgil for opening my doors so I can do the same for others.

Website: https://www.the–optimist.art/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mallory.adele/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallory-butts-08961a217/

Other: Book: https://www.lulu.com/shop/mallory-butts/might-be-mal/hardcover/product-mjyw78.html?q=Might+be+mal&page=1&pageSize=4
THE OPTIMIST IG: https://www.instagram.com/the_______optimist/
PROVIDENCE MINDS: https://www.instagram.com/providenceminds/
POP Magazine: https://www.instagram.com/pardon.our.progress/
Glamour Magazine: https://www.glamour.com/story/hbcu-college-woman-of-the-year-mallory-butts

Image Credits
BnW image of me with my name under: Canon Carter THE OPTIMIST sweater drop pic (three people in brown, green, and blue sweaters): Jalenvsworld (Jalen Turner)

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.