Behind the Brands
Entrepreneurship is in the air at Cedar Shoals High School. From idea process to brand launch, these young entrepreneurs are carving their own path into the fashion world.
Evil World Clothing
Students may recognize the phrase “stay safe in this evil world” from the back of hoodies around the school. This phrase is associated with Junior Taiwan Greens’ growing clothing brand, Evil World Clothing.
What started as a hobby for Green and his little brother Tron spun quickly into a thriving business. Green recalls the moment he felt successful for the first time.
“When I first dropped, I saw a little kid wearing my brand, that really made me happy,” Green said.
The inspiration behind the brand name and logo stems from a terrible tragedy: a car accident involving his little brother. Feeling like he lived in an evil world, Green turned the accident into something positive.
“I was already making the clothes, so I went from there,” Green said.
With the help from his mom and uncle, Green and his little brother made their first drop in January of 2023. Currently garnering almost 2,000 followers on Instagram and selling over 400 items, Green has set a goal of reaching at least 50,000 followers and attracting a broader customer base. Last year Green used TikTok to create interactive content with his peers, who wore his brand around the school.
“That is where I get most of my customers from,” Green said.
Green draws his designs on Procreate, drawing what comes to mind and making sure it ties in with the evolving image of Evil World.
Lonely Vamp
When he started high school Junior Khalil Stovall wasn’t sure what the future would hold for him. Knowing that college wasn’t a path he saw for himself, the next step wasn’t always clear. But in his sophomore year, when he entered Christine’s Graziano graphic design class for the first time, something clicked.
“I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. When I got to her (Graziano’s) class, art was just something I did,” Stovall said.
Already having a background in art, the creative nature of the class was something that came easy to Stovall. Using the new skills Graziano taught, the seed for turning the lessons into something more started to sprout.
“I can just use what I know and take it to another level,” Stovall said.
Stovall and Graziano had met before at Whit Davis Elementary School, where Graziano taught as an art teacher.
“He really stood out and his personality was there and very confident, sure of what he wanted, an incredible artist with a unique style,” Graziano said.
Having a love for fashion, Stovall’s idea of starting his own clothing brand grew. He wanted to explore the endless possibilities of expressing oneself outwardly to the world.
“I like clothes, I like to dress a lot, so I thought why not make some money and start a clothing brand?” Stovall said.
While working part time his sophomore year, he realized that a job where he was punching a clock and taking orders from someone else was not something he wanted to do. This experience pushed Stovall to fully commit to his idea for LonelyVamp.
“I want to enjoy life. I thought, ‘If I can work hard for somebody else, I can work harder for myself,’” Stovall said.
After purchasing a sketch book and some pencils, LonelyVamp moved one step closer to becoming official. Consulting with Graziano, Stovall began brainstorming for LonelyVamp. Using his surroundings when coming up with designs, he tries to create clothing others will enjoy wearing.
Stovall conducted research for his brand through the end of 2023, and as of January his plans have actualized. So far, Stovall has dropped sweatpants and has a hoodie in the works.
From the name of the brand to the clothes, everything is unique to Stovall as a person. Wanting the brand to be for everyone, he strives to make clothes that allow his customers to experiment.
“I’m not a person that fits into what everybody else is doing. I don’t really follow everyone else, I do my own thing and that’s okay,” Stovall said.
In LonelyVamp’s future, Stovall aims to reach his goal of 1,000 sales and gain a worldwide audience, envisioning his brand lasting through continuous work and effort.
“He’s got the passion. He’s got the talent and he’s got something unique and different. He just has to keep at it,” Graziano said.
Forever Clothing
Junior Cameron Williams is another brand entrepreneur to watch for, as his Forever Clothing brand is still in the works. Beginning his journey with LonelyVamp, Williams and Stovall initially worked together. New to the world of entrepreneurship, being able to lean on each other to keep brainstorming and jumpstart the brand made the workload for Williams and Stovall a bit easier.
Williams aspired to both work on LonelyVamp and begin his own brand, but balancing two competing visions proved itself challenging for the new entrepreneur. Williams made the tough decision to leave LonelyVamp and start Forever Clothing. His former partner agreed that parting ways was the best choice.
“We’re both still good friends, nobody had a problem with the brand (ending) on both ends,” Williams said.
Like Stovall, Williams has also developed artistic talent since he was younger, and enrolled in graphic design hoping to develop his brand. Williams draws inspiration from what he sees around him and for his designs.
Now curating his own ideas, Williams has developed mockups for his brand, planning to produce the clothes by hand. He’s saving up to purchase a heat press and to finally start putting his designs on various items.
Quotes and words are a principal element in Forever Clothing’s designs. For Williams, these quotes allow people to relate to his brand, as they not only resonate with him but also his audience.
“People like expressing themselves and showing off who they are and represent through what they wear,” Williams said.
Using social media to help get the word of his brand out there, many around the school know Williams for his YouTube and Instagram reels. Williams uses the platform and the audience he’s gained to promote Forever Clothing, as well as to get feedback on his designs and see what people are interested in through polls.
“Before I actually make it, I’ll post a poll where people can vote on Instagram. I’ll get people’s opinions on if they like it or not,” Williams said.
As he works on designs and mock ups, figuring out what works and doesn’t, Williams is excited for the future.
“I want to learn through the whole process, from errors and what I can do right,” WIlliams said.
RatedR Motion
Junior Giselle Maxwell started her brand RatedR Motion last May. Watching YouTube star Quan, who is known for his videos about fashion and his brand, Maxwell found herself drawn to the idea of creating her own clothing line.
“He really inspired me when he started off YouTube and started his clothing brand. One day I got the thought that I can start my own clothing brand,” Maxwell said.
With an eye for design from her background in art, Maxwell sees her brand as not only a business but also a reflection of her as an artist.
“My art does have different meanings, like social identity and stuff like that, but mostly it just has to do with my lifestyle and how other people live,” said Maxwell.
Infusing each piece of clothing with her personal life and goals, she uses her brand as an extension of her art, often finding time in art class to brainstorm and promote herself.
“I feel like I’m just putting myself out there more,” Maxwell said.
On the social media side, Maxwell admits that being consistent with promoting the brand has been an obstacle.
“I feel like that’s a main challenge for me, (being) persistent with my page and sharing my business cards,” Maxwell said.
Knowing that consistency will lead to traction for her brand, Maxwell uses Instagram, TikTok and word of mouth. She remembers scrolling through social media and coming across someone wearing her clothing.
“I was like ‘wait a minute, that’s my stuff,’” Maxwell said. “It was surreal, seeing that my hard work pays off and someone is actually wearing it.”
All of Maxwell’s clothes express her creativity. She uses words on the back of her designs to boldly state what she stands for, and lets the people wearing the clothes do the same.
“It’s a message between all of them, especially the ones with words telling you what I’m wearing is what I’m about. I try to implicate that in most of it,” Maxwell said.
So far, Maxwell has beanies, crewnecks and t-shirts released under RatedR, working on releasing more this summer.
As she continues to expand her brand, she remains focused on her ultimate goal: turning RatedR Motion into her full-time job with a self-owned business.
