Life & Work with Gifted Ali of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gifted Ali

Hi Gifted, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Originally from the Southside of Chicago IL, I transplanted in LA in 2015. Growing up on the Southside… I seen a-lot of things much sooner than you would want a child to see. But music and fashion was no mistake. I found a safety in style and fashion. At an early age, I always took risk and had much influence within the people around me. I had no barriers although often told what I shouldn’t wear . I walked the runways of many designers by the time I was 8 or 9 years old and I had already performed on nearly hundreds of stages by that time. I had many dreams back then, before “Life started Life’ing” the years after that were troubled and a survival habit of mine caused me to shut down in so many areas of my life. I remained a student of fashion and music while suppressing it from others. I grew up in my later years with no dreams. My world was becoming very small to me. And limited. I knew I had to move and I felt it was needed for my mental health and aspirations. I knew it was time TO JUST GO FOR IT! I had already spoken of this move all of my young life, Big Name in Big Lights is what I dreamed of. After a horrible relationship experience and many losses, I found the push I needed to finally answer to that call I felt was always ringing. I produced a One Night Only Live Show where I performed for my supporters, I went home after, I packed what I could and boarded a last minute train to LA. I jumpend right into the fashion and music scenes. I walked the streets of the fashion District and was inspired by all the fabrics and seen it as rooms full of canvases. I attended open mic nights in Hollywood and was okay with not getting on stage and simply take in all the love and energy of fellow dreamers. I became more brave and outgoing again. I will definitely say Chicago Made me… but Los Angeles raised me up. While skid row is full of failed dreams and despair it inspired me to Not Give Up! I would just go and buy 15 burgers from McDonald’s or whatever I could afford that particular day, I would hand them out to people on the streets and would swap stories then somehow would turn into me singing to them or them singing back at me. Those experiences really shaped who I was becoming. I started on my clothing line CollectionByGifted in 2017 and launched online officially in 2020 I believe. Immediately the response was great. We have landed our shirts on the shoulders of fashion Icon, Marlo Hampton a cast member of Real Housewives of Atlanta and then to production sets for TV films and even Netflix most recently. Last year was our toughest year as the economy has changed so much and demands are higher with fast options like Amazon. I was very close to closing the company down. I was reminded of my skid row folks and realized I wasn’t done yet, I needed to keep going. We just celebrated our 4 Launch Birthday and I am proud that I didn’t give up. CollectionByGifted doors are OPENNNNN!!!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Many of my challenges are childhood traumas. Its something that shapes the world around you. While I haven’t mastered this thing called life, Id like to think that facing those traumas helped me tremendously as they are a Master Class not many are ready to take. Once You can do that the sky isn’t even the limit of what you can do. When things get hard trying to be ahead of fashion trends and meet demands Im now able to pull strength from ares of myself that was once weak.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Songwriter and Vocalist that loves Fashion. Lol I have written songs for different artist around the world and now creating fashions being shipped globally.

I am most proud of my strength. My ability to always just “Keep Going”.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
When our world was shaken by Covid.. I initially felt defeated as if the world was ending. But to be honest my best songs were written and my business launched so it turned out to be very inspiring also. Being in the house turned out to be good for me as a creative. I look around online and see how creative the entire world became and that it wasnt just me. People learned how to do diy projects, beatify their faces with makeup tutorials and even started businesses. Im proud that many of us were able to channel that creative energy in such a scary and dark time.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @CollectionByGifted
• Facebook: @CollectionByGifted

Image Credits
All credits belong to me using my camera.

Photo with Fashion Icon Billy Porter