Meet Alcot Laing

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alcot Laing.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Jamaican born (Spanish Town we seh!)… raised in Canada, Toronto/Brampton area… came to the US, finished school in FL (FAMU grad) and took a job in my field of study after interning in Atlanta… been in love with the city ever since.

I owned other businesses… from transportation, print media to a beauty supply store (I’m Jamaican so I have a lot of jobs lol)… but as for my current endeavor, I actually started out with an MMA/JIU-JITSU themed clothing line. I am a JIU-JITSU practitioner and MMA fan and thought it would be cool to do something around my hobby. The reception was solid to mediocre… but as I continued to design shirts, I found myself adding elements of my Caribbean culture into the designs but oftentimes, the message/concept wold go over the consumers head. Let’s face it, there aren’t a ton of Caribbean people in the Jiu-Jitsu community. I decided to try a line that infused more of my culture since it seemed like that was the natural progression, almost like a calling… fast forward and RICE AND TEES became an apparel line.

I just kept designing, working hard and putting my ideas out into the universe and that brought me where I am today.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Smooth, no really but I’m enjoying and better yet learning from every bump in the road.

Some struggles… hmmm… definitely getting support. So many people refuse to support for some odd reason. They will “wish you the best” but never even share a post much less buy a shirt. I’ve had certain celebs publicly wear my designs but refuse to tag and acknowledge me… or others who love my designs but would only wear my design for a hefty fee. To be clear, there is nothing wrong with charging to endorse a brand but why is it you wear a (insert brand name) shirt for free and give said company free promotion? Then, you want to charge me 10x the shirt price for a 24hr post… and worst, the other brand doesn’t even look good lol.

That’s been the biggest struggle but I’m passed that. Those rejections lead me to collaborate with some of the biggest stars in the world so it all worked out. I’ve learned to clap for myself and not to force things. Go wear, you are valued and stay there. Be happy when some things don’t work out… don’t think rejection, think redirection.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
RICE AND TEES is a Caribbean infused apparel line. We are known for making Caribbean culture fashionable.

We differ in that we have a lot of meaning and messages behind our clothing. Our clothes, empower women, educate people on their history and make you look good at the same time.

I’m most proud of the example I set for my kids. When they see their fathers work on people as far away as Israel, on celebs, in stores… it gives them proof that they can achieve great things.

OUR BRAND HAS 4 COLLECTIONS:

1st THE BAD GYAL COLLECTION: This line is our female empowerment line (BAD GYAL being a colloquial term in the Caribbean similar to the term “boss chick” or “bad bi@#” from our American counterparts. I drew inspiration from the women in my life and in my culture. My grandmother, mother, sisters, cousins, aunts, in-laws, childhood friends, etc. All women who exemplified a fearless warrior spirit fully draped in Caribbean flair. They were conquerors, go-getters. My grandmother couldn’t read or write but managed to run a business in Jamaica, raise my mother, my sisters and I and ultimately put us in the position we are in today. My mother is a serial entrepreneur who used to walk miles with 50lbs bags of rice on her head to sell in the market in Jamaica. Stood up to all types of criminal elements in the volatile area of Spanish Town, Jamaica. She did all this and managed to educate herself, and migrate to Canada and then the US bring us along shortly afterwards. She became a nurse and has been successful ever since. My older sister (the tomboy) who was my closest example of a big brother. She was a great athlete, stylish and certified bad gyal with a fight record better than Floyd Mayweather. She looked out for me in HS and still does to this day.

2nd THE RUDEBOY COLLECTION (Men’s line): This line drew inspiration from the male figures I had in my life. My cousin Garfield, good friend Wayne, uncle Owen, uncle Carlton just to name a few. In Jamaica, a rudeboy is kinda synonymous with a street kid… but they are so much more. A rudeboy lives by a code and has certain characteristics that put them in a category all their own. Chivalrous, brave, lawless, enterprising, stylish, lover of women, conscious and intelligent. I wanted to show those attributes through fashion.

3rd The ONE BLOOD COLLECTION: This is the equivalent of the “conscious set” at a dancehall party. This celebrates the lineage between people of the Caribbean and Africa. Its a “know your roots/know your history” kinda thing. We aim to celebrate and educate through fashion.

4th THE CULTURE COLLECTION: This area highlight EVERYTHING Caribbean. Food, slang, music, attitude, beliefs etc. its our essence.

What were you like growing up?
Hmmm. I was a well-behaved kid… really into educational stuff and history. I have no brothers so I think a got a different appreciation for women having been around them so much. As for my personality, I was always the thinker, I was balanced… made good grades, did all the reckless “cool kids” stuff but had enough sense to set boundaries for my self so I never got caught up.

Pricing:

• Shirts $25 – $40
• Artwork $50 and up
• We offer a 25% discount at checkout using the code BADGYAL (all caps)

Contact Info:

• Website: RICEANDTEES.COM
• Email: RICEANDTEES@GMAIL.COM
• Instagram: @RICEANDTEES

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