Today we’d like to introduce you to Naje Collection.
Hi Naje, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started drawing while inside a mental health home during arts and crafts time. I copied a video game cover and it came out good. I was 12 at the time. I started to put the images I would draw on paper on too pants. I would go over and highlight what I put on the garments with squeezable paint to highlight the images and make it pop! I did that all throughout middle school for $35 a pair! My last big order would be at the age of 14 when I had designed clothes for a football team call lakeshore park! A pop warner football team here in Jacksonville. I wouldn’t fashion design again for another 8 years.
By the time I was 24, I had pretty much wrecked my life by being in the streets and not building nothing substantial for myself. I found myself breaking the law more to survive which led to back to back jail visits. Well, in 2016 I caught a case that required me to get a lawyer, I had no money for it and I couldn’t get the money how I would normally get it to minimize the risk of catching another charge while I’m already out on bond! I had an idea for an image that I hit up a local artistic painter by the name of Pj Darrell. He was able to execute the random vision of me having every style of cellular device that was mad in each different generation. I would take this illustration and brand it “link up paradise” logo! I made the Design into merchandise and I was selling out! It blew my mind how many people wanted a shirt with the design on it! For the next 5 years I would only sell this one design on different garments! It wasn’t until 2021 I decided to start my own clothing line.
I simply named it after my middle name Najee. Over the course of 5 years I have made thousands in revenue thus far independently! I have been taking my time by releasing different collections each year as I continue to become a master in this space! Outside of fashion designing, I also do music, so it’s pretty cool I get to wear my own clothes to showcase my artistic talent as well!
I look forward on becoming the best version of a fashion designer I can be! I’m always envisioning my next piece and design to come. It brings me peace!
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?
It has not been easy at all! The biggest challenge for me is ignoring the blatant hate! I’m multifaceted so that creates weird energy with other creators! I run into designers who feel like I’m doing it for the clout cause I do other things as well! & the 2nd hardest thing for me is finding a good manufacturer that can facilitate large orders without me saying “sold out” lol
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Outside of fashion Designing.
I also Do music. A full blown independent recording artist with over 250k streams organically on streaming platforms & almost 50k collectively on YouTube.
I’m a studio executive. Becoming one of the 1st black studio owners in the area I’m located in the last 16 years!
-I’m in college for audio engineering.
-I am an apprentice for carpentry at the moment!
-I host events, I’m a public speaker & I used to do videography & photography for 7 years as well.
-Event curator.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up I was Quiet, reserved but artistic & had a great sense of humor once I got to know you. I had a big interest in Hess trucks from the gas station & I was in love with legos!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.najecollection.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/najecollection
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DsM9ZvazQ/
- Twitter: https://x.com/jeecode_
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jee700
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/jYl1Xq9oEqFc4iulBU
