Today we’d like to introduce you to Aisha (EshyK) Washington.
Aisha (EshyK), please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
It started in New York, The “Boogie Down” Bronx. I remember being ten years old my mom was a pastry maker, she had owned her store in Harlem, NY & My Dad was a merchant seamen he would be away for months providing for our family. I’m a twin (s/o to my twin brother) I have a big sister & a little brother. One thing about my family, we have a strong background of STYLE. My older sister introduced me to designer brands young. I was a young diva. I was even voted best dress in JHS 8th grade year (love you Tisha) I literally remember my mother teaching me the basics of threading a needle, weaving the needle in & out of a piece of fabric. My first mini project was a yellow hair scrunchy for 5th grade picture day! My Mom and I even hand sew six custom aprons for my 11th birthday cookie party. I knew my purpose at an early age thanks to my Mom and Sister, I wanted to contribute to fashion one day!
I took a seamstress class 2013, I Love Sewing Studio right in the heart of Manhattan (37th & Madison Ave) where I got certified as a seamstress! It was a 12-week course with Amber, she was a seamstress for Nieman Marcus men’s line. She was very fashion savvy and very detail in the way she taught us! Her sewing skills was something I was determined to gain from the course! Going shopping was becoming different for me after I completed my sewing course. I would study garments details very differently from the stitches, the hems, the cuts, the fabric down to the designer’s fashion background. Shoes and skirts became a total obsession for me so I decided to turn my shopping habits into a lifestyle (styling).
My background is law. I have my degree in Criminal Justice but my first love is fashion and designing. I have a FT job, as intake specialist for great personal injury law firm (black firm) and I have a PT job as a shoe stylist, by choice. Honestly, with my kind of personality and savvy retail lingo, I can sell anything, especially clothes and shoes! I built a lot of clientele working in retail. My first styling position was working at this high-end Italian boutique in Soho, NY. I styled many women for several private dinner events and charities event. I styled the voice commentator for Nickelodeon SpongeBob. She needed my help for the perfect look that evening… my best work is done under pressure… mission well accomplished, style god! Having so much styling passion was the key to me starting my own clothing line in 2013, Dramatiez was born!
Where I am now is here in Georgia, three years strong! I decided to take a leap of faith in 2017 with my boyfriend and my brand, one of the hardest decision of our lives but a grown one! I knew the quality of life would be better and it was time for a change from turnt up NYC. Lol Coming from a tiny one-bedroom apt I had to learn self-motivation and I prayed for MORE. God heard me and removed me! These three years, I’ve have shocked myself on the growth and discipline I’ve endured living here in Georgia. I gained more patience and more mental strength. I planted my seeds and I’m watching my goals grow! I always thought I was living in a villa surrounded by palm trees with an ocean view, although I was living in a tiny one bedroom apt! Now, I’m getting ATL recognition for my clothing brand & styling talents. I have beautiful and peaceful home here in GA with a gorgeous view. Being positive and staying positive is always been my style! My family is apart of every move I make! Don’t fear change and don’t be afraid to trust God on your big move!
Has it been a smooth road?
No, it has not been a smooth road at all. Moving from NYC to GA has been very hard decision. I thought for a while it was very impulsive decision! I was missing my family extremely, missing their love and hugs and my mom cooking! New York is home and all I knew at the time! Trusting people has been a struggle for me for some time now, so moving to GA I had to let my guards down if I wanted to grow here. My biggest challenge so far was making a major attitude adjustment. I lost a job when I first moved out at a law firm b/c of my attitude. I wanted to adapt to the culture here. I had to be more calm, polite and more understanding. I had to let go of old NYC baggage if I wanted to make life here comfortable. I had to trust that people here in GA have good intentions and are sweethearts for the most part. I’m still learning, growing and glowing in Georgia!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Dramatiez story. Tell us more about the business.
Dramatiez is a modern day clothing company for the women who loves all eyes on HER when she enter a room! I specialize in sewing and styling professionally for over ten years. One day my girlfriend gave me this huge oversized black satin bowtie necklace! I re-created that satin black bow-tie necklace and I decided to sell bow-tie necklaces. Dramatiez at the time specialized in matching turbans and matching bow-ties for all genders. The “Mommy & Me” and “Daddy & Me” collection was bomb that year. I had my first Pop Up shop event that year. I designed and created custom accessories from bow-tie necklaces to bandeau tops. I sold out completely! The level of support was incredible so I kept going! Dramatiez was getting a lot of NY recognition! That year bowties was trending, especially for men! Dramatiez was creating & fulfilling a lot of orders. In 2014 was my innovator year…I designed and created the cutest skirts & heeled sandals called “Sassy Fringe” & “Phurry Feetz” getting the name Vacation Plug, my two best sellers!
I am most proud of my consistency and my growth over these seven years in the fashion industry. Gaining new clients, loyal clients especially over these last few months. I’m proud that my brand didn’t give up when I was faced with many challenges when COVID-19 took over the world and took so many lives. Staying motivated during this pandemic was a struggle but I was in my comfort zone, home with my man! I wanted to help so I decided to donate 75 face masks to essential workers! I received tons of face masks request this April and did my very best to fulfill all orders. I also did a lot of personal styling being in quarantine, starting with revamping my brand and made new vendor relationships. I ordered a tripod, became my own photographer, now my own brand Ambassadors for my company! I’m very proud about this new collection right now, DRAMA! I worked hard on this collection, giving lots of BLM energy, things got very personal! The Drama collection includes face masks, activewear apparel, dresses, and mink lashes (Dramawink). Everything Drama feels so right! Don’t never feel afraid to do what’s right for you and your business.
What sets me apart from others is I’m very driven, my heart is very loyal and royal when it comes to helping my peers or any women. I like to enhance their confidence making them look and feel beautiful from within! It’s SO rewarding! I promote Queen vibes on all my social platforms. I’m a winner, a doer and a real hustler (like my parents). I constantly look for new ways to improve personally while improving on my craft. I dwell on things that’s pure and rebuke the devil when he tries to use my mind as his playground! Every win & lose I gain is worth where I am today!
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
In the next five years, I see Dramatiez (DRAMA) owning a showroom/studio and having annual fashion shows! My showroom will be full of Dramaaa! I will be selling and designing for all genders. A place of love where my current and future clients can catch a vibe while they sip, shop for high & low-end pieces, classics trends styles and wardrobe rentals! Undeniable stand-out garments! Dramatiez is creating a team of players of innovators with the dopest and most unique style to help elevate my brand to new levels! I can see Dramatiez collaborating with new and season fashion designers, artists, top stylists and top models hosting my annual fashion show. We would showcase the sickest and raw of fashion giving proceeds to a charity (preferably black-owned).
The Big shift is coming this fall which is adding Lingerie & Lip gloss to my line…Drama, everything! I’m currently working with beauty manufacturers to design our packaging for our lipgloss! Sky is the limit.
Contact Info:
- Website: shopdrama.bigcartel.com , www.dramatiez.com
- Phone: 732-832-7377
- Email: iheartdramatiez@gmail.com
- Instagram: @iheartdramatiez @dramawink
Image Credit:
Gabby my photographer, Timmy my Stylist
Yan – My man who opinion matters to me the most
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