Today we’d like to introduce you to London Alyse.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’m from Detroit but I spent a lot of my adulthood in Chicago! When I think about my childhood in Detroit, we weren’t allowed to think the same as every other kid. Education was number one and my mom did not play when it came to our grades, behavior or chores so I was a good kid for the most part. My parents were both entrepreneurs my whole life so I learned discipline & sacrifice early.
My parents kept me and my brother busy. We were in so much stuff from sports to cheerleading to math & Chess competitions, choir rehearsals & violin lessons- we both had full day schedules by the time I was 10 and my brother was 6! I attended Cass Tech High School where we have a reputation for being “#1 2nd to none” and I honestly always carried that mentality with me.
I moved to Chicago for college; I got my Bachelors in Fashion Merchandising. College brought me a lot of opportunity in Fashion show production, model casting, window staging & merchandising. I was even selected to be whats called the “Front of House Manager” to oversee & produce the senior designer fashion show. It was a Dream living in London.. I’m still thankful my family & friends helped make that possible. I came back really inspired and ready to learn how to design. London represents a whole turning point in life for me; Its where I realized who I wanted to be.
Today, I am the founder of ALYYO Clothing Company located in DTLA and we help apparel brands all over the US design, plan and execute their clothing projects and collections.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Well I didn’t initially jump into designing full time I had to learn and work my way up to this. I was 25 when I started managing high-rise apartment buildings, worth millions, occupying 300-500 residents and sometimes I was the only Manager and always the youngest but I enjoyed it, it was just a lot to juggle in the end. I knew the day would come where I would have to let go of real estate to follow my purpose in fashion design. January 2019 I moved to LA!
When I moved to LA, my faith in God literally carried me through the year! I had a rollercoaster year, I was in a car accident in the fall and my car was down for 4 months. But I had three job offers in factories Downtown LA. I had no experience in a factory environment. I just knew I wanted to have my own one day so I still went after those roles. From that point on, I knew that if I could secure these roles with no experience I had to be the talent that these places needed and that actually helped me realize I was more valuable by myself.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about ALYYO Clothing Company – what should we know?
Our mission is to provide guidance, expertise and a production management solution that puts our clients in a position to succeed. We maintain honest strong relationships with partners & factories. Our outsourcing of services increases our capability for our clients’ needs. Our networks of small operations vendors include but are not limited to: Bulk Fabric & Trim contractors, pattern making, cut & sew, Dye houses, Fabric Printing/Sublimation, Smocking & Pleating, Embroidery, Patchwork, Screen-print, Foil/Heat Transfer and more.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
For sure my parents Dennis & Alicia Brown & My brother, Dillon for being my support always.
I would say I’ve had self-appointed mentors at different moments in my life. In college, Travis, taught me so much about Visual Merchandising and Fashion Show production. He also empowered me to operate in those roles as if I already had the jobs and because of him, I had a lot of hands on experience by the time I graduated.
My friend Charles has always been an inspiration to me & he just broadens my perspective on creativity. He’s helped me sort through my crazy ideas on more than one occasion. Every creative person needs someone like him.
In real estate, I would say Zoran was one of the best leaders I’ve ever worked with. Our dynamic was so polar opposite but he was strong where I was weak and vice versa. When he found out I wanted to be in his role next instead of becoming competitive he taught me how to do his job so that I would have the confidence to go after it when the time was right.
I would credit much of what I know about Apparel Development to Sheila, she was my 1st development partner as a designer, we went through a lot of trial and error together and over time we became friends! She is still one of my mentors and biggest supporters to date.
Im grateful for All of my family & friends that have been a support to me they know who they are. It’s been one crazy ride and this is only the beginning.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1501 W Washington Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90007 - Website: www.shopalyyo.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/londonalyse
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/alyyomade
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