We had the good fortune of connecting with Shelton Hawkins Jr and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shelton, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I sort of look at risk as challenges necessary for growth. Risks are often the thing between a person & the next step or next level in life. I’ve been taking risks ever since I decided to pursue fashion as a career. Starting off I didn’t know if my business would thrive & prosper, I expected it to, but I just didn’t know. I made what many people would consider a risky decision by putting a hard pause on school to focus on my craft full-time. Then theres the design aspect of it. I have no idea how the masses will receive the art that I create. I feel as though risks have been a substantial part of my success because without the risks that I have taken I may not be in the positions that I’m in now, or I may not have met certain people that I needed to meet, or I may not have been in certain rooms that I needed to be in because I was hesitant to take a risk.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Étrange Studios®️ is a luxury fashion brand built on the foundation of the continuous promotion of creating art specifically in the form of garments. We have done this with our eye catching pieces such as our “Martian Full-Zip” jacket & our “Amour Étrange” sweatshirt which features a functional velvet 3D heart pocket on the sleeve of the piece. What sets Étrange apart from others is that we are apart of the future of fashion. Étrange Studios®️ is in a lane of our own.

Recently we were hand selected out of over 1,000 designers to show looks at a Paris Fashion Week event in February 2022 so I am pretty excited about that.

I feel like one of the biggest reasons that I am where I am today professionally is my persistence & tenacity. I have never given up on my vision & my goals. I have always made things happen despite the odds. No it has not been an easy journey. I feel like the hardest part of it all is staying grounded & staying focused. Yes you will stray away from the goal sometimes but you have to be able to snap back & get back on track.

I want the world to know how important Étrange Studios®️ really is.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would have them check out downtown Detroit in general, as the city is on the rise Downtown Detroit has become a beautiful place to explore.

I would take them to Détroit Is The New Black so they could shop around & also get a chance to see my brand in-store.
Xhibition store downtown as well for more retail therapy.
I would maybe take them to a club like Deluxx Fluxx, Barcade, or Annex on the weekend.
I like museums so I might suggest the DIA, the Library Street Collective, or the Museum of Contemporary Art.
We could go find some good scenery & take photos
Depending on the weather we could jetski or go to the marina dock and have some drinks & listen to live band
We could hang out at the studio and chill or make music.
Maybe go to the drive-inn to catch a movie

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 want to highlight some of my close friends/family, who are all very talented, a small portion of their role in my life & what they do.

Andrew Bukowinski (@Andrewbuko) – Andrew is a friend of mine of over 6 years. He is an extremely talented designer & has been a teacher & a mentor to me & has been & still is pivotal in my growth in design & fashion

Nate Harris (@Frxscaforeva)- Founder of RunForever Multi-Media Company, Videographer, Photographer, Music Artist, Music Producer, Music Engineer. Nate is a friend of mine of 10+ years, he’s one of the most creative & talented people that I know. Nate is a huge reason why I am involved in the music scene

Myles Evans (@OGMVZN) – Photographer, Videographer, Creative Director. Extremely talented, has an eye like no other when it comes to photography. Myles is also has a sharp mind when it comes to creative direction, he & I are always able to create & execute crazy concepts.

Angelo Wilson (@_Acemgmt) – Manager, Creative Director, Artist/Painter, Model, Casting Director. Angelo is an all around creative person. He is an incredible artist, & a very particular & detailed manager for a couple of music artists (Including Nate). He specializes in creative direction & casting & he is very good at it.

Marcellus Flemming (@Perfectxcell) – Music Producer, Music Engineer. Marcellus or Cell is my older cousin who specializes in music production. Cell has a very diverse pallet he’s a one of a kind type of artist. He is wise beyond his years & his musical creativity is genius level. Cellus & his older brother Marcus introduced me to music from the creation standpoint & not just the listening perspective. They are both also huge reasons why I do music.

Marcus Flemming – Music Artist, Music Producer, Music Engineer – Marcus is the older brother of Marcellus & like an older brother to me as well. Marcus is an amazing lyricist & producer. He always encouraged me in every outlet that I chose to pursue creative or not.

Yusuf Lewis (@Yuie.v) – Entrepreneur, Business Owner – Yusuf is a wise, smart, & encouraging he is someone else who has sort of played a big brother type of role in my life . He has introduced me to countless people, he has pushed me to step out of my comfort zone & explore. He has encouraged me to be a go getter. I look to Yusuf as a mentor, & often go to him for advice.

Shelton Hawkins Sr. – Business Owner, Father – My dad has always been in my corner. He has always pushed me to be the best me that I could possibly be & to not settle for mediocrity. I am forever grateful for my dad’s role in my life

Pete Hawkins – Business Owner, Grandmother – When I was in the 8th grade I told my grandma that I was interested in starting a business (at the time it was a t-shirt business called Kings Clothing). My grandma used her resources (& her funds) to help me kickstart that idea. That idea evolved into a dream. That seed that she planted in helping me jumpstart my business has grown into something that neither she nor I could have imagined. She made me feel like nothing was impossible.

Karmisha McBeth – Business owner, Mother – Last but certainly not least my Mother. She has taught me countless things & I couldn’t thank her enough she has always encouraged me to pursue things that make me happy, she has always made the necessary sacrifices to get me in positions that maybe I didn’t even realize that I needed to be in. I could go on & on about my mom’s role in my life.

Website: www.EtrangeStudios.com

Instagram: Personal Account: @TrustInET | Business Account: @EtrangeStudios

Twitter: @Trust1nET | @EtrangeStudios

Youtube: Étrange Creative Studios | Young E.T.

Other: Photography Page: @EtrangeEyes Archive Page: @EtrangeFxxkingStudios

Image Credits
Photos 1-3 – Photos from Étrange Studios®️ Spring/Summer “On Top Of The World” Lookbook Photo 4 – Bradley Beal in Dreams Money Can’t Buy Pullover Photo 5 – Babyface Ray in Martian Full-Zip Jacket Photo 6 – Babyface Ray in Dreams Money Can’t Buy Pullover Photo 7 – Shelton Hawkins Jr. (Young E.T.) in Ecstasy Sweater Photo 8 – Amour Étrange Sweatshirt

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.