Creative Director and Fashion Designer Scott Bealle-King Speaks on The Growth of His Rising Clothing Line.
Scott Bealle-King Speaks On The Growth of His Rising Clothing Line, Family Fashion Inspirations, His Responsibilities As a Black Designer, Creative Process, And What He’s Looking to Accomplish For 2021.
Q2 is finally here! The first quarter was full of successes. We came into the new year strong, we were able to capture some great stories throughout January and February, and had the best March ever with our Women’s History Month series. Now, we’re happy to be kicking off the new quarter with a brand new face and story to tell.
I’ve never had the opportunity to meet Scott Bealle-King in person but we’ve been following each other on Instagram for a while now. I noticed we had a few mutual friends and then I realized he had a clothing line that I began to see more and more on my timeline. He and I didn’t have the chance to connect to discuss any interview opportunities towards the end of 2020 but, I had a great feeling that the time would present itself by the first half of 2021 and it did. I reached out to Scott about the Black History Month release he and his team did for his brand, Envy of NY, and I praised him for a t-shirt they put together as a part of the release. The “Legacy” T-Shirt features images of Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X, Angela Davis, Barack and Michelle Obama, Jackie Robinson, and a few more prominent Black heroes. From there, we exchanged information, had a few brief conversations about his brand and The Lifestyle NYC, and I told him I wanted more Black fashion brands from New York on the site. Now, here we are almost a month and a half later, and Scott has entrusted me to help tell his story.
Throughout this interview, you’ll learn about Scott’s fashion inspirations, how his transition from high school to college shaped his thoughts on style, the birth of his thriving clothing line, holding himself to a certain standard as a Black designer, and how he plans to celebrate the 3 year anniversary of Envy of NY.
Read the full interview below.
1 - Let’s start from the beginning -- talk to me about your introduction to the world of fashion growing up.
My first introduction to the fashion world was around the age of 6, through my older sister - it was sneaker fashion at first for me. I used to steal her Jordan’s because we were the same size, her boyfriend worked for footlocker, and whenever you have someone who works at the sneaker store that's the ultimate plug. It was the typical older sibling - younger sibling battles between her and me whenever I borrowed her kicks.
Soon after I was exposed to hip-hop and fell in love with the culture immediately. I was addicted to Rocawear, a big Hov fan from young. My grandmother used to always spoil me and I’d have all the matching denim and velour suits - probably all 2 sizes too big, typical 90’s baby. I still have a few in my closet right now too.
2 - How did your intro to fashion begin to inspire you as you got older?
My intro into fashion plays a major part in what my business stands for and the pieces I design. I’ve grown to see fashion as a way to connect with others. T-shirts will always be my favorite thing to do because they’re like a canvas. I’m able to tell stories through them. Whether it be sports, fashion, or hip hop you’ll see the inspiration there. I wanted to tell the stories of my community and the people around me who looked like me. I hate to sound cliche’ but it’s really a FUBU, for us - by us kind of thing especially now that black culture is constantly mocked yet still imitated all the time.
3 - You spent your college years at the University of Albany. Being a young man from the boroughs, what was that transition like for you to go upstate? Also, what do you remember about the style of fashion during those years?
For me, it was an easy transition because I spent most of my teenage years in Rockland County, NY. When I first moved up I hated it but when I got to college I appreciated it, I knew how to maneuver with different types of people with different interests. Those same interests played a big role in fashion which I grew to understand.
Early college years 2010/2011 there was a transition where everyone liked more of a preppy fit Ralph Lauren boat shoes, H&M and Zara huge, no idea where that transition came from but it was there. On the other hand, you had people into snapbacks, vintage Jordan’s, Supreme - the Don C snapback, PYREX or HBA t-shirt, with the LV coin pouch was a must.
4 - Fast forward -- August 6th, 2018 you posted the first pic ever on the Envy of NY Instagram page. Talk to me about the inspiration behind wanting to create this clothing line. Secondly, what inspired the name?
I knew from maybe 19 years old I wanted to start my own clothing brand, I had my first job at 7 sweeping up hair at my local barbershop so making money was always top of mind - especially on the business side. I was with another brand in college but it just didn’t work out with the partnership, vision-wise. The birth of my son was my biggest motivation to really focus on getting that vision right for myself.
I wanted to create something I was passionate about, something I could use to communicate with my peers, and also to give people a voice. ENVY OF NY was founded upon the foundation of being that voice, aside from just fashion but to be a lifestyle brand that focuses on representation of communities especially black communities all over the world. That sense of pride and understanding your purpose is where the ENVY comes into play and NY plays a major role in that.
5 - From the “About Us” section of the Envy of NY website it states:
“The brand embodies not only the resilient culture of the city but the values, aspirations, interests, attitudes, and opinions of the individuals that truly define what this city is built upon as well. “
In your own words, briefly explain this statement and why you believe New York is so important to the fashion culture, specifically streetwear fashion culture.
For New York, you hear it’s a melting pot all the time and that’s exactly what it is, you always see the do or die mentality come to light - people come here from all over for a chance to chase their dreams. It’s filled with people determined especially to break the generational curses they face - I’m one of those people and I know the last thing you want to do is count me out.
New York will forever play a major role in fashion. No matter where the style originated from you’ll find it in New York. We have all seasons so it’s a little bit of everything you can imagine - I think fall and summer are when you see all those fashions come together the most. SoHo, Brooklyn, Harlem those are the spots you may even catch me people-watching for inspiration.
6 - Talk to me about your creative process and how you and your team put the garments together.
The creative process is always all over, to be honest. I can come up with a design this month and not release it for maybe a year, just trying to get it right - quality, design, and fit-wise. I try to reel my team in as much as possible. I know they say sometimes too many hands in the pot is bad but I’ll always try to take my team's feedback into consideration. I’m not perfect but I’m getting way better at that.
From samples, to test shoots, to lookbook shoots - my team is always reeled in. It’s a new way of working for me because many just joined in October 2020 and I’m used to wearing all hats. So having them be a part of that process is a blessing. Even something as simple as deciding on colors is a HUGE contribution.
7 - What obligations, if any, do you feel you have as a Black designer/clothing company from Brooklyn, NY?
I was raised to always speak up for my community and those who may not have a voice or may just be too scared to, at no fault of their own. The world has always been a cruel place but there are many areas of light that should be highlighted. From women’s contributions to society to creating spaces for black creatives and designers, my role is to foster a platform that showcases the brilliant minds we have to offer as a collective and support newcomers as well. It’s not easy getting into this business and figuring out how to maneuver.
One obligation I will always have to my community is to always be accessible and affordable. There are too many resources our communities aren’t able to access already and my brand will never be one of those things. As a business owner in general I want to help others get their foot in the door and bring their own table with them - instead of the goal just being a “seat at the table”.
8 - In your opinion, what would you like to see change about the streetwear fashion culture?
The one thing I would like to see change is the understanding of what streetwear truly is. I think there are more luxury streetwear brands coming out than lifestyle streetwear brands and I think that’s where the separation and miscommunication comes into play.
Streetwear is supposed to stay true to the people who first supported them when they came up and of course the goal should be to make money but it should also be to look out for the people who are your customers. It’s a two-way street and I think sometimes that relationship isn’t contributed to fairly. People talk bad about Supreme because of the clout they have but they got that clout by staying true to their main community then branching out in a smooth way.
9 - What’s been your most memorable moment regarding Envy of NY? Secondly, what’s been your favorite release or releases thus far?
The moment I’ll always remember is when I first launched the brand. That nerve-wracking feeling, pure butterflies in my stomach. The support was actually crazy and it made me have way more confidence and faith in myself than I ever had to share my dreams with the world.
My absolute favorite release was my winter essentials release. It was the first big release with my new team and everything was perfect - the vibes, the energy, and the quality of the garments were amazing. I still get hit-ups about the lookbook shoot because people think we rented the space with these sets but my team with ABC Group NYC came together to create every set from scratch.
10 - What is your true definition of success?
My true definition of success is being able to leave a legacy behind when you pass away. My aunt, I often refer to her as my mother now because she raised me after my grandmother passed, she was a legend. Google her, I promise you’ll see articles about her passing with nothing but praise. She sets the standard of success for me. She was able to put herself in a position to give the people around her a better life while having a burning passion to care for others. She was a Principal in a tough school district and always made sure no child was forgotten.
I hope to be respected and cared for by my community and loved ones like she was and still is to this day.
11 - You and the Envy of NY team will be celebrating the 3 year anniversary of the brand this forthcoming summer. I know we’re more than a few months away but have you decided what you will do to celebrate? Any other big plans for the brand for 2021?
I’m honestly just feeling blessed and lucky to be able to still keep going! We lost a solid year almost because of personal stuff I was going through then RIGHT after COVID hit and that hurt us bad so I’ll 100% be treating the team to some champagne on ice and everything.
In 2021 I plan to do more stuff for the ladies and hopefully have our first pop-up shop or event. It’s well overdue but it would mean the world to me and my team to have a successful event. We have our Juneteenth capsule and a summer collection up next. Consistency is key and I’m ready to bet on us in a BIG way, I’m all in!
You can follow Scott on his personal Instagram @Scott.B.King and stay updated with Envy of NY by following their page @EnvyOfNY.
