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Welcome back to our Emerging Series – where we highlight emerging fashion creatives in hopes that through this series, the support of our community and ecosystem grows for Black fashion. Today, we introduce to you to Tyrique Murray of Sunami Stylez!
Sunami Stylez is a brand for everyone, embracing inclusivity and ensuring that all the boxes are checked. The brand is dedicated to making each individual feel exclusive and important. When someone wears Sunami Stylez, they become the star of any room they enter. Like a hurricane of fashion, Sunami Stylez brings visions to life, delivering bold and impactful style.
Advisor.: “Can you tell us about your journey into fashion design?“
Tyrique: “My journey into fashion design began with my momma. She used to make things here and there, and she showed me how to sew when I was about 10. I made a High School Musical shirt and never made anything else, but I kept what she taught me in the back of my head for a rainy day. I never thought I was going to be a designer or choose this career path—I was into acting. Then designing fell into my lap when I started to get more free-flowing with my fashion.
I was always into fashion and always liked to look different from everyone else. I got started during my prom season when I wanted to wear something totally different from the norm. I didn’t want a simple tuxedo; I wanted all eyes on me. So instead of a blazer, I wore a fur coat in its place. I bought some slacks and a white shirt, took the buttons off everything, replaced them with crystal buttons, and added a few crystal trims on the cuffs, pockets, and hems. I just fell in love with creating what I wanted.
Every time I go to the store and get clothes, I’ll always have to tailor them because I don’t like the way certain things look or lay on my body type. So I just decided I might as well start making my own clothes so I wouldn’t have to do that.”
Advisor.: “As a Black creative in the fashion industry, what challenges have you faced, and
how have they shaped your journey?”
Tyrique: “
A challenge I faced as a Black creative is being taken seriously and getting opportunities to be in shows. I feel like, being a Black, gay, and feminine creative, doors don’t always open for me, and I have to open them myself. With my show in New York, I opened that door for myself. I always have to put myself out there, which isn’t a problem, but it’s just frustrating that talent isn’t enough. I feel like people also have their select few designers they showcase every year at the same shows, which cancels out opportunities for someone like me who is trying to come up and be accepted in this industry. But I won’t let that stop me from being great—it just lets me know I’m going to have to work harder and put myself out there, as I’ve been doing, to let these people know I’m here, I’m talented, and I’m ready to become more than what I am now.
Also, one thing that is very frustrating as a designer on the come-up is having to pay to showcase my talent in a show. It’s already hard to profit off custom clothing because this is a fast fashion world right now, so it takes away potential exposure I could get when I have to fund my line and then fund my participation in a show.”
Advisor.: “What does fashion mean to you, and how do you express your personal identity
through your designs?:
Tyrique: “Fashion means everything to me; fashion makes me feel good. I love how different fashion is for everyone, but we all have one goal: to look good. I love the confidence and joy fashion brings to people when they feel like they’re looking their best. My goal is to make sure you feel good, not only look good. Fashion is about how it makes you feel as well, more so than just how it looks, because if you feel good, that already means you know you look good.
My personal identity plays a huge part in my collection. I dress in a lot of different ways, so I make sure that my clothes reflect all the different styles that I would wear or can see myself wearing. I always say I won’t make anything that I wouldn’t wear myself. My personal identity is also why my clothes are genderless. I didn’t feel comfortable putting a gender on my clothing because I wear both men’s and women’s clothing, so that’s why my line is gender fluid.”
Advisor.: “Can you walk us through your creative process? How do you conceptualize a collection from idea to execution?
Tyrique: “My creative process is very simple. I really just know what I want to make and execute it, to be honest. I don’t do sketches, one because I can’t draw, but the main reason is I’m more of a mood board person. I’ll already have a look in my head that I want to execute, so I’ll just look up photos that reference what I want to design and get inspiration from that. After that, I’ll start figuring out what type of fabric I want to use and colors. With my New York show, I knew I wanted everything to be black, inspired by the X-Men and Matrix movies (hence all of the black leather and denim), Rick Owens, Alexander McQueen, and Prada. Those were all the elements on my mood board, and I based everything off of them.
I’m very heavy on visual thinking and making whatever I envision become a reality. That’s how I’ve always been since I started designing in 2016, and it’s worked out for me.”
Advisor.: “How do you think the fashion industry can better support emerging Black
designers and creatives?”
Tyrique: “I think it’s getting better, but it needs to reach a point where we no longer need “Black fashion weeks” because Black fashion is fashion, period. We should not be separate from the masses. When that separation stops, I will feel like we have truly reached our full potential. However, I also love that we are creating spaces where we are accepted and not just tolerated.
Another thing that can change is how, sometimes, Black creatives feel the need to whitewash themselves to fit into certain rooms, leading to people losing themselves in the process. I never want to do that; I want to be authentically me. There’s a door opening for all of us to be just that, and I’m so proud of where we are headed. Especially in Saint Louis, we are bringing fashion back, and I’m proud to be a part of that new wave of Black creatives who are bold with their designs and don’t care what anyone thinks except their target audience.
We also need more exposure from the media and our local news companies and magazines. This is why I love Advisor. for pushing that to the forefront and creating a space for us to have the spotlight. It will open the door for others to do the same.”
Advisor.: “What advice would you give to other aspiring Black fashion designers who are
just starting out?”
Tyrique: “Advice I would give is to not let anything trick you out of your game. Don’t let anyone make you feel like what you love is a mistake. You are worth it, you are talented, and you will be seen. Do not get discouraged when you see others getting opportunities that aren’t coming your way. I used to get discouraged when I didn’t get picked for things and started to question my worth, which led to a designer’s block for a year. I don’t want any designer to go through that, especially as a gay Black creator. The odds are already against us, so don’t make it harder by being against yourself.
Stay true to you. Find what’s best for you and works for you, and don’t be so quick to make a quick dollar. Show the talent first, and you will be rewarded in the long run. Success doesn’t happen overnight; it’s a journey, and you will face obstacles. You may get low and feel depressed, but it’s about how you rise out of it. When you do, remember what got you into that stage and don’t go back. Know your worth, please!”
Advisor.: “What is your favorite piece from your latest collection, and why does it stand out
to you?”
Tyrique: “My favorite piece from my collection is my long black zipper dress, with the matching zipper arm covers and the black top that model Deazi was wearing. It’s my favorite because it showed class while still being sexy, even though it was fully covered. That idea was one I created in my head, and when I made it, it turned out even better than I envisioned. I also love that you can wear the dress zipped or unzipped for a new look.
Another favorite is the outfit I wore—the long grey denim trench coat with the corset trim. That look was everything, and it even got me an opportunity that all my followers and supporters will find out about soon. It really sums up that my line is for everyone—gender, race, sexuality—all of those things. One important aspect of me and my brand is that anything I make, I want to make sure I’d wear it too. Some designers don’t wear their own clothes, and I don’t want to be one of them. If I’m not wearing my own products, how can I expect someone else to believe that I truly love my designs? That’s important to me, and it definitely makes my NYFW collection a top 2!
Thank you for this opportunity to let people get to know me, my brand, and what I’m about!”
Please make sure to connect with Tyrique on his Instagram and his artist account. If you have an emerging creative to nominate – submit them here.
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