Today we’d like to introduce you to Tomi Randall.
Tomi, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Before I knew what Vogue, Essence, or anything revolving high-fashion for that matter, African Glam, on the East Coast of America in little ol’ Providence, RI was the first expression of fashion I was exposed to as a youngin’. From the headdresses, waist beads, vibrant textiles to the stiletto nails, eight fingers worth of rings, lappas, and dashikis. This is where I first discovered my passion for fashion and design. Being immersed in the roots of the West African culture, I am connected to not only by blood but by spirit also made an immense impact on the path I would seek out for myself. Taking up studies in textile sciences, clothing construction, drapery and fashion illustration in both Boston and San Francisco, I was yearning to dive deeper into the underworld of the fashion industry. In 2017, after studying Fine Arts and Fashion Design at Bay State College and Academy Arts University, I chose to rise from behind the sewing machine to explore the various facets of fashion styling and costume design. As a fashion stylist, I have worked on sets with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Madonna, Big Sean, Dej Loaf, Kamiyah, Dax, Hopsin, Gemaine, BLXST, and Lucky Daye. This was where R.E.V Creative Agency Inc. and its brand imprint, Controversy by R.E.V. was born.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
If only, but if all I had to share with you was a smooth road there would be nothing for you to be inspired by, now would there? I knew after college I would move to California. Cali was calling me from all types directions, which I gladly took as a sign to make this move happen. Having no idea or inkling of where I would actually be laying my head, I made the move and didn’t look back. I knew if I stayed in my hometown, I would never leave, it’s too comfortable there and with the roads I had ahead of me, there was no room for comfort. Thankfully I had a homie from back home that made a move a few years prior to mine and had their feet planted enough to open their space to me. This couch was the first of many, after a few weeks I just started sleeping in my car to refrain from overstaying my welcome, I had obtained a part-time job on the Melrose strip and was beginning to pick up momentum as a freelancer. I had disassociated from being homeless so much so that no one even knew I was. It was quite the interesting time. After a night at someone’s mansion party or a day on set with Wilhelmina & Ford models, I would find a parking spot by the beach and catch as many z’s as I could until it was time to wake up and figure out the next game plan to attain my dreams and manifest them into fruition. If I noticed another person suffering from homelessness, I would see what I had to give because I know what it felt like to literally be in their shoes; I know where I’m going, but could never forget where I came from and what I’ve had to go through to get where I’m going. In a way, each obstacle I endured made me understand that I planted a seed. Don’t plant a seed if you have no intention to watch it grow. I intend to watch the growth of my seed until its final bloom.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a depiction of what art depicts. With my being art, all I create is art. Whether it be a fashion collection, editorial photography, celebrity styling, all conducive to my being the art I create. Specialties of mine are designing couture clothing and unusual drapery. I’m known for working with true vintage garments and upcycle them into couture-wear to create something new and one-of-a-kind from something frozen in time that told an old story. I am also known for my meticulous nature of intertwining Social Justice/Awareness & Thought-Provoking messages into the fibers of my fabrics placed in inconspicuous places along each garment to exude unity, positive change, and raise the energetic frequency of each person who comes across my brand/designs.
I make an event out of fashion, I mean.. duh. Fashion comes with a certain energy, which I’d like to think I keep on the Light side of the spectrum, so I make sure to set the tone to emphasize on just that, with creating unity from bringing people together to solely spread love, laughter, and wisdom.
What sets me apart from others is I don’t have to try to be this cool, it’s already in the blood. 😉
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
If anyone has advice on finding a mentor, I am all ears. As of now, I am taking advice from my fiancé and my higher self. My higher self’s advice: “Do with this time, what you would do with your life…”
Contact Info:
- Email: tomi@revcreativeagency.com
- Website: controversybyrev.com
- Instagram: brand: Instagram.com/
controversybyrev | personal: Instagram.com/tomibruhh - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/controversybyrev
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCISa6YUXR0cxTLtMrxaxGag
- Other: www.revcreativeagency.com
Image Credits:
First 2 Photos – Shot by: Jenny @Jennygotacanon Second 2 Photos – Shot by: Tomi Randall @tomiphotography Third 2 Photos – Shot by: Castle
