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Meet Tracy Nicole of Tracy Nicole Clothing in Buckhead

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracy Nicole.

Tracy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My very first piece that I designed was my high school prom dress. While everyone was searching for the perfect dress I had exactly what I wanted in my head. I sketched it out, bought the fabric and got a friend of my moms that knew how to sew to help me make it. I always had a high fashion sense that I got from my grandmother and never liked to look like everyone else. The dress turned out perfect!

I knew I wanted to become a fashion designer around middle school. I taught myself to sew and used to watch the fashion channel, which ran runway shows 24 hours a day. I was addicted to watching the creative designs on the models and the designer walking out at the end. Then one day while watching a runway show and admiring the beautiful high-end designs something unique happened.

For the first time in my life, I saw a designer that looked like me. It was Tracy Reese. I was mesmerized, excited, and overjoyed. This was the first confirmation I got that it was even possible for me to become a successful fashion designer. Then the big dreams started.

I grew up in a household where being creative was not a career and certainly not something you go to school to study. I got my degree in Occupational Therapy and that was the start of my first career. Specializing in head injuries I became a traveling therapist right out of school and turned into a workaholic.

I was an Occupational Therapist by day when I decided to go back to school at night to study fashion design. I knew it was my passion when I would work a 10 hour day and look forward to going to school at night. When it came time to make the career change I decided to open a retail store called Tracy Nicole and it was there the brand was born and I walked away from therapy for good. It would be five years later that I actually got the courage to start developing my line and focus solely on Tracy Nicole Clothing.

However, there was one unexpected set-back. I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Determined not to let it hold me back I chose to focus on surviving. Firmly believing that one can always find the silver lining in any situation, I took my breast cancer survival journey and used it as inspiration. Combining my experience from surgery and recovery with my proclivity for fashion, I launched a new collection of Tracy Nicole Clothing-one that included pieces made especially with breast cancer patients in mind. The collection was featured at Dr. Jackie Walters’ (Married to Medicine) 50 Shades of Pink Gala in Atlanta.

In 2013, Tracy Nicole Clothing was launched to the world online. It was the beginning of living my dream. With more than a decade of experience in the fashion industry, I have realized national recognition while successfully maintaining a uniquely expressive brand. Known for my off shoulder timeless, versatile pieces, I have created items for an extensive clientele over the years including Rozonda Chilli” Thomas, Keshia Knight-Pulliam, Terri J. Vaughn, Jasmine Guy and Mary Mary.

I have since teamed up with Madison James of 98.5 the beat for the last three years partnering with Porsche Motors showcasing my designs to benefit educating and treating African-American Women affected by breast cancer through Komen Atlanta’s Sisters of Promise Program.

In 2015 I was awarded an Emerging Artist Grant by the city of Atlanta and also received the Creative Style award by the Atlanta Business League. Tracy Nicole Clothing launched a collection in Belk Stores in the spring of 2017 and has since expanded to offer Men’s and Kid’s apparel.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a smooth road. Learning that everything is not going to go exactly how you plan is something that was hard to get used to. Also, learning that everyone will not believe in you or even like what you are doing. I learned to stay true to my vision and stay focused on my goals knowing that many won’t be able to see what I see. I have had some deals go wrong and you just have to move forward and stay focused.

I had a store place an order for my clothing line and change their mind without even giving my line a chance even when I offered to travel there to help them have success with the line. I decided to keep it moving by refunding them and deciding that’s just not my customer. When they shipped the items back I added them to the online store and sold out of the entire order! That worked out in my favor. I think having a positive reaction to any situation will push the outcome in your favor.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Tracy Nicole Clothing – what should we know?
Tracy Nicole Clothing is inspired by the woman juggling it all, work, life and play! It is meant to be classic and versatile while allowing the woman wearing it to be herself– to let her true nature shine. The philosophy behind the company is to encourage women to embrace themselves by promoting positive self-awareness for all body types. I want women to see that sexy doesn’t have to mean revealing–rather sexy can be embodied just as well in self-worth and confidence.

Tracy Nicole Clothing can be worn by women of various body types and meet various needs. Soft, flowing fabrics are chosen that look complimenting while also appealing to the wearer’s senses. The line gives the consumer buildable ensemble pieces, that marry from season to season, one line to the next.

I am most proud that we are more than merely a clothing line, Tracy Nicole Clothing is philanthropic as it supports various non-profit organizations including my own, Perfect Peach, Inc., for underprivileged young ladies in metro Atlanta. A signature ‘I Woke Up Like This’ and ‘I Am Enough’ T-shirt was designed exclusively to support self-esteem workshops for at-risk teens with 100% of the net proceeds being used to provide materials including workbooks, novels and journals for the participants. The latest T-Shirt is ‘Beauty and Brains’ and was designed by a group of high school girls taking the self-esteem workshops.

As a designer, it’s truly fulfilling to host private trunk shows where a portion of proceeds support self-esteem workshops, college scholarships and summer programs to underserved young ladies. We also hold private events to raise money for breast cancer research working closely with other non-profits such as Susan G. Komen of Atlanta. As a survivor and a daughter of a survivor of this horrible disease, it is imperative that I do what I can to give back to help find a cure.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I would have to start with my Grandfather who told me from the age of 3 that I was going to “Make it Happen’. He made me believe I could do anything and still does to this day.

My mother and father are super supportive and have helped me not only with my children but with all the juggling I have to do as a single mom. My daughters inspire and drive me. I go harder for them because I want to be the best example for them not only as a mom but as a survivor and a person unafraid to follow my dreams. I have the most amazing circle of friends.

Not only have they continuously supported me from day one but they have helped me through every obstacle and set back. I never had to ask for anything. We all support each other and lift each other up and I am blessed to be surrounded by these women, some of which have been there since high school! I have friends who helped with marketing, modeling, working events, helping with the trunk show. Some worked just to help and others worked for clothing.

All of it helped me get my business off the ground and remains the reason I have been able to continue growing. I have the most loyal customers in the world. Not only do they shop regularly but they spread the word and bring friends and family. I am thankful for them every single day.

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Jamie Hopper

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