Phoenix Fashion Week, the leading fashion industry event in the Southwest, returns Oct. 20 and Oct. 21 at Chateau Luxe. Today, meet participating designer Princess Brown of Royalty in the Rough…
Hometown: The Quad Cities (Rock Island, Illinois)
First fashion job: My first fashion job was working in the ready-to-wear department at Super Target in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I was the fitting room operator which job consisted of helping guests access the fitting room, fitting them for the Target measurements to determine what size works best for them, making sure the garment are ready to go back on the floor, organizing and zoning (following a line sheet and floor map to make sure each brand is in the best display spot on the floor) for men’s, women’s, girl’s, boy’s and baby’s departments.
When did you know you had a passion for fashion: I was a high school student and had moved across the bridge from Rock Island, Ill., to Davenport, Iowa, and saw how different the style of dressing was. Growing up in Rock Island with my grandmother, we didn’t have much at all. Moving over to Davenport with my sister and her boyfriend and them both working extremely hard providing the finer things for me humbled me quickly. I dressed nice, it was instilled in me, but it wasn’t until the 2020 pandemic where the passion burned.
Person who has impacted your fashion life the most and why: I told my sister (Constance Hunter) I wanted to create my own clothing and take a sewing class, and she made that happen for me. That experience was where I learned anything you want you can have. You must go get it. From that day forward, I’ve been doing just that.
Your biggest fashion accomplishment in your eyes and why: My biggest fashion accomplishment so far is getting the chance at the PHXFW Runway as an emerging designer. For a brand just started in 2020, with no fashion degree and only passion for fashion, it shows me that anything I want I can have. I just have to stay royal through rough situations.
The biggest fashion obstacle you have overcome: My pieces for PHXFW Community Night were stuck in the mail due to backups with shipping. The shipping date kept changing to the point where they stopped giving me a delivery date. I needed two fresh looks for the runway and knew nothing about the resources Phoenix had at that time. I had to break two old designs down and build two new ones in one week, while working a full-time/overtime job and being a mother. I did what needed to be done, and those looks hit the runway, Royalty in the Rough.
A designer who inspires you and why: Honestly, I am not inspired by a specific designer. I am more inspired by people and their unique situations.
Favorite quote: “Wisdom is received by those listening to the silence.” –Princess Brown
Advice to someone pursuing a career in fashion as a designer: Do whatever you want to do! Be honest with yourself. That way, you can be honest with others. Be open and be consistent.
How has the Phoenix Fashion Week #DesignerBootcamp impacted your brand? It has given me the tools needed to run a successful brand. The creativity on fabric is one thing but being creative in business is a completely separate thing; and the bootcamp walks you through that, piece by piece.
What can fans expect to see from your collection in October? Fans can expect to see versatility in streetwear that they probably never thought was possible, a jewel color scheme, and fall and winter attire.
See this runway brand in person! Purchase tickets for Phoenix Fashion Week 2022 at eventbrite.com. Use promo code FABAZ for a $25 gift card good toward any seat (not applicable toward VIP front-row tickets).