Today we’d like to introduce you to Karl Hibbert.
Karl, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Fortunate LifeStyle (FLS) was an idea created in 2011 with two classmates while I was in 10th grade. Well, let me start in 1995. Baby Karl was born in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, NY, so you can get some context on the passion for fashion which runs in his blood. The initial inspiration came from his cousin’s Brooklyn-based clothing line, First-In-Flight, which was based out of a similar high school complex, showcasing custom designs including Lego pins and Lifestyle wear. With his heart in Brooklyn but his body in Indiana, Karl aimed to bring a new style and fashion sense to the Midwest through intuitive, creative, and custom detailing and designs. For no reason other than to simply see friends and classmates in the hallway wearing FLS designs is what drove the growth of the brand. Once entering college, getting a job, and having some money to invest – FLS was it’s own functioning machine, equipped with it’s own equipment, printers, and sourcing.
After connecting with 21 Savage, Young Nudy, and PDE in early Summer 2017, Fortunate LifeStyle’s rise seemingly commenced. Once merchandising for a few months exclusively for Young Nudy, FLS made it’s way into the lanes of other East Atlanta artists, including PDE Nutsane, PDE Escobar, EA Kourtney Money, Jose Guapo, Lil Quill, Yung Mal, Loso Loaded, Lotto Savage and others. In fall 2017, Fortunate LifeStyle headed on tour alongside Young Nudy on the Playboi Carti Tour, which also featured Pi’erre Bourne and Gunna as opening artists. Since 2017 FLS has released four full collections, which can be accessed at thefortunatelifestyle.com/shop. The company has had 2 pop-up shops, both in Brooklyn, NY – featuring respective Summer collections and live performances from artists such as Shawnsvengeance (ATL), Sprove (IN), and Yung Scoop Guala (IN). A week prior to touring alongside notable Long Island artist, Swoosh God in early 2019, Karl’s close friend and “big brother” Jasean, better known as Yung Scoop Guala was killed in Downtown Indianapolis, and since then Karl says, “Everything has been different. The way I look at clothes, fashion, putting outfits together, I think about Guala numerous times a day, everyday. As motivation, guidance, inspiration. He manifested everything he lived. Say less do more type of person. The way I move now is a reflection of what he taught me.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Not at all. But no journey is ever as ‘expected’. Living in Indiana, I’ve had to take so many 10-hr bus rides to and from Atlanta… within the same month. It’s time-consuming, but as long as your passion is true and you stay true to your passion you’ll never get tired. I’ve missed buses, label appointments, studio photoshoots and most of the time it’s due to circumstances outside of my control. Learning, adjusting. Remaining hungry but composed. All a part of the game.
Fortunate LifeStyle – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Fortunate LifeStyle began as a concept that grew into shirts from customink.com which turned into investing in my own heat press which evolved into two presses and an embroidery machine which developed into three presses, an embroidery machine, applique system, two commercial printers, and 2 4-color screen printing stations. I’ve always believed in investing in myself, allowing for more creativity to come straight from concept to completion without having to answer questions, wait for outside decisions, or adhere to others’ constraints. This access to full customization allows for unique concepts and makes imitation difficult. I would honestly have to overlook touring to say my proudest moment thus far would be my first pop-up shop in May 2018. Being interviewed in front of my first pop-up shop, on my aunt’s block in Brooklyn. It was like the perfect place to be, perfect feeling, surrounded by my closest supporters, family, customers, all of it. Surreal.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I feel setting goals is the only way to measure success. It’s hard to see where on the journey you are while you’re *on* the journey. But once you’ve amassed whatever task or obstacle you were aiming to achieve, it’s easy to look back and marvel at what you accomplished. With that being said, every month it seems like I reach a new height, outlet or level, which I didn’t know I could attain… maybe three months prior. I appreciate every small victory and try not to set out on large missions which require high levels of expectation or “desire” – that’s how you set yourself up to be disappointed. I try to work as hard as I can and just enjoy everything that comes with it.
Contact Info:
- Website: thefortunatelifestyle.com
- Email: fortunatelifestyle@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/fortunatelifestyle
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