Meet Tiffany (India) starke | Customizing Fashion Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tiffany (India) starke and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tiffany (India), do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
Habits that I have which definitely play a role in the success of my business thus far would be that the belief that I have in myself and my craft, my willingness to go the extra mile for my clients, my consistency and dedication to building my brand, and providing each of them with a unique and exclusive style experience.

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 was born and raised in Miami, Florida in a dual-parent, upper-middle-class household. I grew up as an only child who spent lots of time playing with dolls. My collection was vast and plentiful. One of my favorite things to do was to cut up their clothes, glue or staple different patterns together, and then redress them. Unfortunately, there were times when my mother wasn’t too happy about this (lol). But, I guess it’s safe to say that even at a young age, I knew it was important for each doll to have her own “style sense.”

Growing up, both of my parents were well-dressed professionals. My mother would often say, “A young lady’s presence is always evaluated on how she enters a room. Therefore, she must dress well.” That was one of the many pieces of advice that stuck with me over the years.

When I entered middle school, I began tie-dyeing and bleaching my clothing. It was trial and error for me. Sometimes, heavier on the error side (lol). In 7th grade, my mother bought me a rhinestone and stud machine. It was my absolute favorite! I embellished everything from my shoes to jeans to shirts. I truly thought that found my niche. There was nothing fresher than going to school in a shirt that you “blinged-out” yourself. However, as I got older, I stopped creating and developed an interest in fashion magazines and models. The desire to become a fashion model or clothing designer was born. Of course, this was something that my parents did not agree with. Both of my parents led successful careers in Education and their goal was for me to follow the same path. My parents were very practical. They didn’t see fashion as a solid career choice that would provide me with financial stability. While my dreams of fashion were deferred, my sense of style remained.

After obtaining my degree in Education, I moved to Washington, DC and led a productive and successful career. However, I always felt like something was missing. Education was not my first choice or first love. I grew into it. I remained in this career because I wanted my parents to be proud of me.

Six years ago, my life changed when my father became deathly ill. I know it’s not realistic, but I never thought the day would come when either of my parents would no longer be living. I traveled back and forth from DC to Miami over the next year, until moving there temporarily to care for him until his death in 2017. His passing was difficult for me and my mother to accept. My life didn’t have the save meaning. I didn’t have the same drive when I returned to DC.

In 2018, my mother became ill (now healthy), and it put me back on the road again. As she recovered, I went through an internal “shaking up.” It was time for change. It was like everything hit me all at once. After all these years, it was clear that my life as I knew it would be no more. It was time to resign, sell my home, and relocate.

In 2019, I moved to Atlanta, back to the place where it all started. I was eager to begin the next chapter but on my own terms this time. In October of 2019, I started my own fashion business, Style JUNKIEZ Klozet LLC. I worked out of my home customizing camouflage jackets for clients. To my surprise, my business grew rapidly. I went from customizing camouflage to blazers, dresses, bags, coats, and more. I expanded to social media and dedicated myself to building my brand and offering clients a “unique style experience.”

In 2020, I was fortunate to move my business out of my home and into a small suite in Little Five Points. This move has allowed me so much more exposure, opportunity and growth. I am thankful!

Finally I thought, I am living in my truth. I work in my passion. Today, I am proud to be a Fashion Customizer/Designer who excitedly minds her “Black Woman-Owned Business.”

It hasn’t always been easy. The unfortunate part about life sometimes is that no one provides you with a manual. I had no business training, just an idea that I wanted to bring to life. My biggest fear was, “what if I fail?”

When you’ve worked in one profession, five days a week, for over 20 years, you grow to depend on the consistency and routine that it brings. But, when you leave that security, “the unknown” is a scary place.

I often refer to myself as “A ONE WOMAN BAND.” I run my own business and I am the principal designer. Because every item is customized by hand, I am sometimes forced to push back completion dates. Even though this is a challenge, I’ve been fortunate enough to have clients that understand.

As a customizer, I “revive” vintage, slightly used, and new clothing. I hand paint, adorn, embellish, and deconstruct items that produce a personalized style according to each client’s taste. My brand mostly specializes in women’s wear. Outside of putting a unique twist on camouflage jackets, Style JUNKIEZ Klozet is mostly known for its exclusivity. I pride myself on designing items for my clients that are eccentric and one of a kind.

Thinking about it overall, I would have to say that I am most proud of ME. My journey had been long and narrow before I arrived back in Atlanta. I am proud that after all these years, I am in a position to make one of my dreams come true. What sets me apart is my ability to create a distinct style, give each client a personalized fashion identity and deliver unconventional goods to those who are willing to take risks in everyday fashion.

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.
If my best friend was visiting Atlanta and I wanted to show them the best time ever, we would definitely have to check out the following hotspots-

For Food: Rock Steady, Frost Bistro, Nuevo Laredo, Bon Ton, Barcelona, Agave, Slutty Vegan, Breakfast At Barney’s, Toast on Lenox, Two Urban Licks, Krog Street Market

For Drinks- Barcelona, Avagero Cantina, Reverb, Houston’s, Bar Vegan, Pasha, No Mas Cantina, The Garden Room, Vortex Bar & Grill

Places to Hang Out: Rock Steady, District, Ponce City Market, The Painted Duck, The James Room, Punch Bowl Social Atlanta, High Museum of Art, Atlanta Botanical Garden, Whisky Mistress, APT 4B

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are many people that I could shout out in this section and would probably still forget to mention someone. However, if I had to narrow it down and identify one person that I am truly thankful for, I would shout out Haneefah Ward (ATL HONEY). She welcomed me with open arms into her store, The Pink Zebra Boutique (2020). I was the first small business owner to rent a suite in her newly renovated shop. She knew little about my business at the time, but provided me with exposure, an opportunity to grow my business/brand, and become a huge part of her independent designers’ collective. I am forever grateful.

Website: Www.stylejunkiezklozet.com

Instagram: Www.Instagram.com/iam_style_junkiez_klozet

Image Credits
India Starke Quadir Thomas