Today we’d like to introduce you to Ereiyal Cartwright.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
It all started in my mother’s salon when I decided to distress my first pair of jeans and bleached my first t-shirt. My mother’s hair supplies would serve as my tools and resources to recreate these rad pieces that I watched influencers like Yandy Smith, Malaysia, and Eva Marcille wear on shows like Basketball Wives and Love & Hip-Hop. I would always watch the shows to view the pieces that other celebrities would wear so I could introduce the unique styles with my creativity implemented to my peers. Since a child I watched my mother provide for me and my brother off the income of being a hairstylist and owning her own salon. My mother had a budding storefront at the age 24, located in a popular area in Memphis, TN. Most of my childhood consisted of hair, fashion, and entertainment. I would literally spend holidays sleeping in the salon because my mother’s schedule was so busy. My mother’s salon was located near Curtis Givens’ clubs known as Level 2 and Silver Spoon at the time. Between the years of 2000-2007, my mother had the highest price list for hairstyles in the city. My love for fashion developed as I grew older, and watched my mother use razors to cut eyebrows, and different dyes to color hair at Shanta’s Hair Day. My creativity simply derived from my mother’s tactics in her salon. She would allow other stylists and nail techs to come and work in the salon as well, this would triple my mother’s income. Ashely Pegues was a nail tech at Shanta’s Hair Day that introduced me to Beyonce’s latest styles like wearing silver and gold minx on her fingernails and toes. My mother would always make sure that I was presented exclusively amongst my peers while growing up. On my 16th birthday my mother threw me a Sweet 16 like Teyana Taylor as well as Reginae Carter on MTV. Although I didn’t get a fancy car, my DJ was a part of Starlito and Key Glock’s team. DJ Coop connected me with Starlito that same night. By the time I was a senior in high school I was having cabin parties and designing for the rap group known as The Savages. I connected with one of their lead rappers Swagg Jazz and met up at Oakcourt mall to give her entire team shirts for free. I also attended middle school with Gunna’s DJ/producer Taurus, also Kenny Muney. My high school was only 2 minutes away from my middle school where I met PaperRouteWoo, and Key Glock which influenced the music my peers listened to, being that we were attending school in the same area of the city known as South Memphis. Young Dolph was an independent artist we listened to, while we simultaneously watched him groom his cousin Key Glock into PRE’s hottest artist on the label. After high school, I attended The University of Tennessee at Knoxville alongside Alvin Kamara, Grant Williams, and Jahmir Johnson, and other students that are currently playing at a professional level. My mother’s entrepreneurial journey and my journey with school always influenced me to engage with exclusive opportunities. My freshman year I was selling bleached Keanu graphic t-shirts from Urban Outfitters to budding entrepreneurs that were seniors at the time like QueenJat that was also studying on Knoxville’s campus. My arrival to campus as an entrepreneur-led me to including my pieces in UTK’s yearly Fashion Show. My father suggested that I’d become a nurse to become self-sufficient. I was a Kinesiology student during my studies at UTK while taking classes that involved working on cadavers. Once my college career reached a turning point due to having a lack of passion in nursing, I began to dream about starting my clothing label and touring to gain exposure and influence in several cities. My dreams became more vivid as I witnessed Young Dolph give Mario Bradley the opportunity to expand as a comedian from Memphis. In 2019, I presented my brand by traveling back home and having a fashion show at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Memphis. It was a full circle moment because I had been a trainee there during high school and they allowed me to present my clothing and message at their establishment after being a college student for three years. Nipsey Hussle was an artist that influenced me to establish an asset with my creativity, so I put his face on the flyer and called the show “Million While You’re in College”. Like a track on one of his albums called “Million While You Young”. This fashion show was dedicated to students that had the desires of becoming entrepreneurs. I invited other student entrepreneurs like Craig Oliver, known as Big Scarr’s driver to present his experiences in a presentation. This fashion show was also the debut release of my first pieces from The Mermaid Brand Siréne. These pieces eventually gained compliments from Project Pat after having several photoshoots with Memphis photographer One Dot. Once Covid happened I was forced to return home from college. Instead of applying to FedEx to save money to return to school once in-person classes were available, I saw an opportunity posted on Instagram by a local chef named Chanticia Collins. Chanticia had just won a contest with Paper Route Empire that involved traveling. Chanticia applauded my consistency when reaching out to her via Instagram about the opportunity to assist her on PRE’s team. My first video set was with Young Dolph “Blue Diamonds”. Young Dolph had created a new branch of PRE that resulted in me attending private shows with Key Glock, Kenny Muney, SnupeBandz, and Big Moochie. Once Mario Bradley began touring, I became the first girl on PRE’s team that represented fashion. Shortly after Chanticia found a new opportunity with Lil Baby’s protégé CBoDaDon I became the only girl known to be affiliated with the branch of Young Dolph’s team that he had just established nearly four years ago. While touring with Young Dolph’s comedian I would engage with Lil Boosie and his manger Jay Cooper and discussed opportunities of growing in the fashion industry. Within a 2-year time span, I’ve gone on five tours with PRE and have developed collections and connections along the way with hustle and sacrifice. While traveling, I designed for K. Michelle’s best friend Paris P London, Tay Keith’s producer Denaro Love, and Mvc Savage. I met Milan Harris, owner of Milano Di Rouge in November of last year. I viewed a post on Milan’s Instagram that explained she needed assistance in Los Angeles for a set. I quickly DMed her Marketing Director Armanceyy and received a response immediately. I had no plans of flying out to Los Angeles, but I took a risk once the opportunity was granted to me. My cousin Elyssia Mask is a successful esthetician in Los Angeles that opened her home to me while I began to establish a relationship with Milan Harris. During my journey in LA, I assisted Creative Director Lili Solomon, Stylist Danielle James, and Marketing Director Armanceyy with sets involving Paige Hurd, Ally Rossel, Athena Live, and Mohamet Mbaye. I also joined forces with Joshua Stewart, and Bryce Thompson to impact Los Angeles with our creativity and other business endeavors. While making this impact I engaged with Untourage the Label to establish relationships in the Beverly Hills area. Shortly after meeting Milan, we began discussing business about my designs that I established for artist like ReggieBDaBoss WoodaDaDream and Denaro Love. “I Got McDonald’s Money” is a production that occurred in Los Angeles. The shirts were out of stock nearly after two months of purchasing them. “Only Time Will Tell” has set trends with placements and setting the tone for exclusiveness. It has become a full circle moment once I signed my first contract with Milan Harris in Los Angeles, California.
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?
When I met Young Dolph, I was suffering from imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is often recognized as a psychological occurrence in which an individual doubts their skills, talents, or accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a fraud. Although, Young Dolph was the most welcoming celebrity I’ve met, first to share my clothing and flyers on his Instagram I didn’t brag about those epic experiences. There have been several childhood experiences that have influenced how I celebrate my accomplishments or recognize my talents. Therefore, I believe I haven’t ceased every moment because I was worried about if it was for me. I’ve overcame those obstacles by reminding myself that I’m in a place that I prayed for years ago, fruition is the result. I couldn’t fathom designing for Milan in 2019 for a contest, doubting my designs, and then meeting her 2 years later, again fruition. Now that I have a closer relationship with God, I’ve come to understand that my path has already been written. God has found a way to help me through all my challenges such as making a move to Los Angeles to work with Milano Di Rouge. I had no idea that my cousin would be so open in allowing me to stay with her in the time being, I also didn’t know that some family members would give up on me and not help any longer. Despite not having support from those closest to me I kept my vision and played my cards right. I believe “Only Time Will Tell” with every step I take along my journey. Eventually, time will reveal the focus that was required of me to go on 5 tours. Time will also depict the determination I’ve had while pursuing my dreams. “Only Time will Tell” the hardships and obstacles that I’ve endured and overcame that will influence someone else to remain focused and determined.
As you know, we’re big fans of The Mermaid Brand Siréne. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I’ve been a Creative Director for my budding clothing line named The Mermaid Brand Siréne. I wanted my brand to be unisex being that I had such an athletic background involving playing basketball with young men. I felt like I could impress men with my designs because they are more likely to wear graphic shirts than women. I started my clothing label in 2019, just months before Covid occurred and shut down many businesses. During the pandemic, I was growing my business by purchasing products from a New York designer known as Daniel Baptiste. Working with designers in New York helped make my business elite amongst other designers in Memphis and Los Angeles. Production in LA was easy considering that I had been well-rounded with areas like Koreatown, Slauson, Beverly Hills, and Orange County. I’ve been established in a plethora of cities due to being a part of five tours with Paper Route Empire. LA has brought me the most success within a 3-year time span of creating my brand. I truly have a passion for fashion that has developed into multiple assets. Milan Harris provided me with different distribution centers, buyers, and suppliers in Los Angeles to grow my business. My most significant collaboration is with ReggieBDaBoss an artist from Nashville, TN. I presented this artist with an idea for promotion for his upcoming album. In just 24 hours I was able to make $1000.00 off one t-shirt design. I have a plan and desire to consistently implement my creativity to Los Angeles to reduce a lack of sources for exclusivity.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up.
My mother was an extremely successful entrepreneur at a very young age. Therefore, most of her time went towards growing her business that she established to break generational curses. My mother gave my first modeling gig at her hair show hosted by La Chat to keep me associated with feminine fashion, although I was an athlete. I would spend most of my time playing AAU basketball in which my father signed me up for. The several basketball tournaments that I would travel to with my team prepared me for touring with PRE. Playing basketball influenced my tomboy-ish styles in clothing. Although I liked sneakers my mother made sure she bought me jewelry to wear with my basketball gear. She would buy dresses for my game days, so I could look like a young lady before transitioning into a baggy jersey on the courts. She signed me up for a fashion/sewing camp before I went to middle school. My instructor, Ms. Ballard, had designs worn by celebrities that had been featured in Ebony magazine taught me my foundation. During this camp, I created an entire outfit by myself from scratch. Ironically, years later my instructor that taught me nearly a decade ago to sew was receiving services from the same nail tech I had booked for prom. Immediately, I canceled dates and consultations in Houston, TX with other designers once our reconnection happened. Ultimately, after attending two proms at other schools, Ms. Ballard was the same woman that designed my dress for my senior prom.
Pricing:
- $100 shirts
- $300 sweatshirts
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mermaidbrandsirene.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1ereiyalj/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KznhQ7JvBV8
Image Credits
Cullen Burke
Shawn the Trapographer
1dot
The Real Pic Plug
KT
