“WHY I STARTED AN APPAREL LINE FOR NATURALS”

May 29, 2014

[BY: DEVRI VELAZQUEZ of NaturallyCurly.com]

Hi!!! My name is Patricia and I am the Owner and Designer of Global Couture Apparel & Accessories and Global Couture Blog. I am originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan and currently reside in St. Louis, MO.

During the day, I am a tenured college counselor and full time doctoral candidate completing my dissertation and at night I delve into the natural hair world with my accessories and t-shirt designs. I am a Black woman and have been natural for 3 years as of May 21st. (I wish I knew the exact time, lol) I would describe my hair as kinky curly 4a hair and I have low porous, dense fine strands.

“Global Couture is an expression of my love for travel, self-exploration, cultural expression, and creativity.”

I decided to begin Global Couture 3 years ago, when I noticed I couldn’t find any accessories or natural hair apparel (mainly t-shirts) I wanted to wear, that reflected my new consciousness. “Going back to my roots” during this natural hair journey has been truly self-affirming.

Through this journey, I fell in love with the freedom, self-expression, and renewed confidence fostered by a simple ‘hairdo’ change.

I found quickly it was more than a hair style change…it became a lifestyle change. I began to take more risks outside of the expected and mainstream forms in beauty, hairstyles, clothing, and accessories.

I believe this ‘mini’ transformation, paired with my travels through South American, Asia, Europe and the Caribbean has added to my appreciation for various forms of beauty, personal expression and cultural expression.

“My designs are made to be fashionable but more importantly consciously communicate important empowering and cultural messages.”

I want my designs to embody my commitment to social justice and cultural edification.

To that end, I launched the Global Couture Foundation this year. I created the “I am global” T designed to support local and international philanthropy.

All profits are donated to UNICEF (and similar local charities with a strong history of positive contributions). The Foundation will offer counseling and educational programs for girls and women covering various topics from developing a positive self-image to cultural empowerment.

When it comes to my hair, I can’t live without…

My Kinky Curly Leave-in, jojoba oil, Denman brush, water bottle, Global couture hair bow headbands and a gallon (literally) of Giovanni Conditioner

to co-wash. My essential beauty product is my MAC red lipstick. I love to travel and I always wear my leather biker jacket, curly girl and nappy dictionary tees, Kente scarf, and a pair of Toms. I am a low maintenance, high on cultural fashion kind of woman.

“My vision for Global Couture is to encourage others to embrace the natural beauty in all of us from the inside-out.”

I hope Global Couture creates dialogue around challenging stereotypes and unchecked social norms. For me, hair is the beginning of the conversation of self-acceptance.

Global Couture designs hair accessories, jewelry, & apparel is for the bold, chic, who is also culturally curious.

We are trying to spread the word about embracing your natural hair and its reflection of our history. “Loving your hair represents loving yourself.” Love your curls, if they are wavy, curly, kinky or coily. I think the best feedback that I ever received from customers and blog readers is how important the message is that is communicated.

I hoped that the clothing was empowering and impactful but I wasn’t sure.

So ANYTIME I am told that Global Couture has inspired someone to stay the course on their journey of self-acceptance and cultural appreciation it means so much to me.