Fashion Entreprenuer Atiim Talks Fashion, Community and New Store In Harlem
Harlem Trading Co is more than just another clothing store. Owned and operated by 5 Black entreprenuers, Harlem Trading Co. opened late in 2015 and is home to exclusive fashion lines as well as dope creative events.
I recently had the chance to talk with one of the owners Atiim, who is also the creator of Chocolate Cake Collection. He’s been in the fashion industry for over 20 years where he has worked with major brands like Fubu, Gap, Banana Republic, Pelle Pelle Kids and Trukfit just to name a few. We recently caught up with him to talk fashion, entreprenuship and what’s going on at one of our favorite Harlem start-ups, Harlem Trading Co.
What made you guys want to open a shop in Harlem?
So I didn’t open the shop initially. My partners originally opened the shop last Fall. I knew one of the owners from working from us both working in the (fashion) industry and I reached out to him with my products. At the time I was actually thinking about opening a store. I had been working on my brand and thought it would be great experience for my clothing to be in a brick and mortar environment. I mean online is ok but having my clothes in a storefront allows people to walk in and get the full experience. So when I sent them my stuff, they loved it and asked me to come through and meet the rest of the owners. When I walked into the space it just felt like the right space for my product. A lot of my stuff has a very handmade artisanal vibe to it and the shop has a real vintage aesthetic to it, so it just felt right.
It started out more with me having my products in there and us just vibing. After a while they started seeing other things that I was into. I wouldn’t really consider myself a photographer but I have a nice camera and I like to shoot. I also paint and do graphics. So me being a creative, they felt like I was the missing link to their puzzle.
As for Harlem, I love Harlem. I spent a lot of time growing up here as a kid. I moved out of Harlem but even before the shop, I was always here in Harlem. I have a lot of family and in-laws here. My wife’s family is like “Super Harlem” people. Like multi-generational Harlem people. We have pictures of rooftop gatherings from her family on top of some of these buildings in the 1940s.
So what made you get into fashion?
I’ve been doing fashion for a long time. Professionally, it’s been 20 years. So what got me into it? Back when I was in High School… well actually we can go back before that when I was really young, say about 6 yrs old. My school had these extracurricular type of activities we would do. One of them was fashion and we would do sketches and it just always clicked with me. You know, my parents would dress me a certain way. I’m first generation here, my parents are from the Caribbean so they weren’t super wealthy but they had this old school way about them where you REALLY had to dress back then. Like tailor-made suits and stuff, so my dad had a very good relationship with the tailor down the block. Brownie was his name. And my mom was always the type to just whip out the sewing machine so I’ve just always had that sense as far as style.
So moving forward into High School I always tried to be unique with my fashion. I was really into colors and matching but not just obviously matching colors. I was never a full “mitchy matchy” person but I was always about details and things coordinating. Around that time I started getting into the club scene and going to parties. I was fortunate enough that they didn’t check ID back then. That was pre “Giuliani” NY.
So those are some of the places that I would see fashion and it influenced me. I thought myself to silk screen in High School because I wanted my stuff to be originals. Those encyclopedias we had in the house actually came in handy. I read up on how to do it, went to art store and asked questions.
HTC seems to be an incubator within the community. I see you guys partner with local and up in coming artists. Is that something that is a conscious effort?
It’s definitely a conscious effort. All of the owners are attached to Harlem in some type of away. We love the community. I mean we certainly carry mainstream brands in the shop but it’s really about offering a platform and opportunity for others to shine.
Where do you see HTC going within the next 2 years?
Well the pillars of HTC are Art, Culture & Intellect. Yes we’re ratchet, to a degree, but we’re also educated, we have family values and we want to #ReClaimHarlem. #ReclaimHarlem is a portion to the business that we’re working on growing. And that just really our movement to create more outreach within the community. We feel like the timing is right. We have a lot of work to do but we’re getting it together. I’m happy to be here and happy with how we’re growing. We want to continue to grow and exchange with Creatives.
Say there’s an up and coming designer reading this. Whats the best way they could go about getting their product in Harlem Trading Co.?
The best way for them to go about it is to come through the shop and introduce themselves. You should have something on you but nothing too crazy. I prefer people to just come talk to us and make an appointment so I can really sit and look at their products. I like to sit with designers and give them the attention they deserve. I get to talk to them about where they may need help developing (if any) and see if it’s the right fit for us to partner and work together. We’re willing to try some brands out mainly though the pop up series that we hosts. So just come in, say hi and we can take it from there.
Harlem Trading Co is located on 500 West 146th Street (and Amsterdam Avenue). Be sure to check out their website http://harlemtrading.myshopify.com.
