Meet Vikiyah Duncan of Intrépide Style House

Today we’d like to introduce you to Vikiyah Duncan.

Vikiyah, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Fashion was not actually something I had always desired.

To keep it real with you, it slowly grew on me like a GOOD habit. Growing up, I drew figures with different crazy outfits all the time but never thought about it as anything more. I would watch my mom sew and I even told her I thought it looked so boring. I thought only grandmas did that stuff. There was no way I could sit there all day working on some clothes. But she told me something that stuck with me even now, “You can always go to the mall and find the same outfit as someone else, but if you design it, no one else will have it until you share it.” From then on, I went to every fashion show she had and watched with pure excitement whenever she’d sew. I think I was about 9 or 10 when I made my cousin a shirt I stapled together. I didn’t know how to sew yet, so what other option did I have… Life lesson: Make do with what you have.

Senior year of high school, I designed my first real garment, which was my prom dress. It was this blush pink strapless, princess top, mermaid skirt with a huge floral piece at the peak of this dramatic split. Not to mention, a long tail to follow. Thats probably hard to imagine. I don’t know who I thought I was. But best believe ya girl came through! My mom taught me all that I know. We collaborated on a fashion show in 2017 incorporating designs we both made. I’ll always have my mom to thank.

My passion for creating continued to grow. It slowed down a bit here and there, having been discouraged at times and even in denial but it never left me. After graduating from Florida State, I had a strong will to get out and be in a bigger city with more opportunity. I chose Atlanta, GA. Just in case you’re thinking “Why Atlanta?” Atlanta isn’t too far from home, I’m very family oriented so it’s a perfect home base for me. I traveled back and forth to Atlanta, leaving my resume at almost every store in Phipps Plaza. I probably had about three interviews out of like 30 something applications. I got an offer to work part-time position at LV, but part-time can’t pay the bills honey! About six months later, April 2nd, 2018, I took a full-time position at Nordstrom and moved to Atlanta April 8th to kick off my dream of being in the fashion industry. I saved up a bit, four months later, I risked it all, quit my job at Nordstrom to take on a full time, unpaid opportunity to intern for a fashion designer right here in Atlanta. Craziest thing I could’ve ever did. Quite an experience. Long story short, I learned more about my own self-worth than fashion itself. However, I could appreciate that over learning anything else. Still an opportunity I don’t regret taking a chance on.

Fast forward to December 2018, after the internship ended, I got a bit discouraged. I began to second guess if fashion was really for me. If moving was really the right thing to do. I wasn’t working, I was just home every day. I was in a creative funk until something hit me. It was cold as hell and I had this really dope Electric blue crop fur coat in my closet that I’d made some time ago. Inner me immediately said, “you know what to do, sis!” I headed to the fabric store to source fur fabric and found this dope multicolor print, made another coat for myself, threw it on, took a few pictures, made a simple website and advertised my custom coats on social media to sell. It didn’t get a lot of attention until a week later. I sold seven coats at $150. I imagined if I had thought of this idea months ago and really prepared a fall/winter collection of coats, It would’ve really been on and poppin. Now, it’s in the plans for this upcoming season. So if you’re reading this, be on the lookout.

I recently presented my first collection at a RAW ARTISTS Atlanta show last month. Really putting my work out there in a new city, which was super exciting. A collection of 7 looks including 12 garment pieces all designed by me. A huge accomplishment that I’m still stoked about. I did not in any way foresee the woman I am becoming today, but I love her. Fashion is literally a part of me now.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it definitely has not been a smooth road. I don’t think any entrepreneur has had a smooth experience. It’s a lifestyle that comes with its ups and downs, unlike a 9-5 career which will always have the same outcome. I still need motivation like every day, because I do get discouraged like anyone else out there trying to become their own boss. Sometimes, I get in this creative funk where I don’t have any inspiration to design. Sometimes, I even feel as though I don’t have the time. And a lot of times, the struggle is just fear. Fear of doing something wrong, fear of people not liking my craft. Fear of climbing the ladder just to miss a step and fall right back down to square one.

For me and I believe anyone else, the solution is consistency. TRUE results come from consistency. Understanding your brand, your story, your purpose, comes from consistency. For me, I have to go out and find inspiration, whether thats in a book, music, a museum, in nature or even in a conversation. Once you stop working on or putting energy toward your craft, you might as well take it as three missed opportunities.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Intrépide Style House – what should we know?
I am a Fashion Designer. (Feels damn good when I say that out loud) I specialize in womenswear. Mainly couture. I’ve bounced around with business names for a couple of years out of uncertainty. I took my own struggles and came up with the official name, Intrépide. French for ‘Fearless.’ A lot of my designs are inspired by French fashion, so the name had to be French. I struggled a lot with fear, putting my brand out there and acknowledging my talents, having fear of what others would think or wondering who would like my designs, let alone buy them. Even in my personal life, fear used to be a major struggle of mine. But in finding myself, and stepping into the boss woman I’m becoming, knowing who I am and whose I am, fear is no longer in my vocabulary. And I want other women to feel the same. My goal with Intrépide is to encourage women not only to feel fearless but BE fearless as well. That’s what makes my brand different from others. I’m not just selling clothing, but a lifestyle too.

Within Intrépide, I have a blog, (@BlackWomenGalore) geared toward women of color and business. A platform providing connections and empowerment for women like myself who need to hear it everyday. So make sure you follow us!

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I’d have to say humility. Not just to my success but in general. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses play a big part in success. Things are constantly changing everyday. There’s never going to be a day when we aren’t learning. Be a teachable being. It’s important to know that where you are today, could possibly not be where you are tomorrow or the day following. Don’t pride so much in yourself that you begin to chase comfort. Don’t think your the best at what you do so it’s impossible for anyone to replace you. Because it’s not impossible. Be realistic and always think about what more you can do to better your current position in life.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @intrepidestylehouse
• Other: @blackwomengalore

Image Credit:
Photographer (My personal photo): @x.tranquil

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